"'Over-reliant on this security blanket': Ong Ye Kung addresses exam reduction concerns
SINGAPORE: A focus on the “true spirit of learning” is needed, said Education Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Oct 3) as he addressed concerns over the recent announcement on plans to reduce examinations and assessments in schools.
Speaking at the Singapore International Technical and Vocational Education and Training Conference, Mr Ong said that by default, people tend to assess how well a child is doing in school by his examination scores, but noted that education is a holistic developmental experience that goes “far beyond grades and marks”.
“Examinations have become such a comfortable security blanket that a large part of the education experience revolves around examinations,” he said.
“As a system and society, we have been over-reliant on this security blanket.
“Before it smothers us, we need to start to withdraw it somewhat, and focus on the true spirit of learning,” he added.
“Between a child acing his examinations but hating the thought of going to school, versus another scoring average grades but delighted to attend school and learn – who is doing better?” he said.
“It is hard to say.”
Mr Ong noted that “to his great relief”, there was no “negative uproar” to the changes, adding that he was uncertain about how parents would react. In fact, he added, many parents wrote encouraging and supportive messages to him since he made the announcement.
However, he highlighted two concerns which he heard immediately following the announcements, pointing out that these are “valid worries and apprehension” about the changes.
The first concern, he said, was if the system was starting to slacken and lose its rigour. “I am very confident that this is not,” he said.
He stressed that for students, the change does not mean that there is less or no need to study, pointing out that schools will have about three more weeks of curriculum time every two school years.
“We will use this time to teach you better, so that you can learn better, because teachers don’t have to rush through the curriculum in order to prepare for examinations,” he said. “So take this opportunity to study well and enjoy school and learning more.”
Speaking to reporters later on the sideline of the event, Mr Ong stressed that while there is a reduction in the number of examinations, there is no reduction in rigour.
“As a teacher, as a parent, you really have to understand the child, their learning progress and their approach. And by understanding the child deeper, you can actually have more qualitative inputs and qualitative assessments.”
As for the other levels where one in four exams are being removed, Mr Ong said there is still a system of class tests and year-end examinations that allow rigour to be upheld.
“Remember, we are starting from a point of very high rigour,” he said. “Now, we are just calibrating it to have a better balance between joy and rigour.”"
As for tuition centres that said they will ramp up simulated examinations more, Minister Ong said: "U r turning against a well thought out national policy! So, please work with us!" Will they? Let's see how this unfold.
SINGAPORE: A focus on the “true spirit of learning” is needed, said Education Minister Ong Ye Kung on Wednesday (Oct 3) as he addressed concerns over the recent announcement on plans to reduce examinations and assessments in schools.
Speaking at the Singapore International Technical and Vocational Education and Training Conference, Mr Ong said that by default, people tend to assess how well a child is doing in school by his examination scores, but noted that education is a holistic developmental experience that goes “far beyond grades and marks”.
“Examinations have become such a comfortable security blanket that a large part of the education experience revolves around examinations,” he said.
“As a system and society, we have been over-reliant on this security blanket.
“Before it smothers us, we need to start to withdraw it somewhat, and focus on the true spirit of learning,” he added.
“Between a child acing his examinations but hating the thought of going to school, versus another scoring average grades but delighted to attend school and learn – who is doing better?” he said.
“It is hard to say.”
Mr Ong noted that “to his great relief”, there was no “negative uproar” to the changes, adding that he was uncertain about how parents would react. In fact, he added, many parents wrote encouraging and supportive messages to him since he made the announcement.
However, he highlighted two concerns which he heard immediately following the announcements, pointing out that these are “valid worries and apprehension” about the changes.
The first concern, he said, was if the system was starting to slacken and lose its rigour. “I am very confident that this is not,” he said.
He stressed that for students, the change does not mean that there is less or no need to study, pointing out that schools will have about three more weeks of curriculum time every two school years.
“We will use this time to teach you better, so that you can learn better, because teachers don’t have to rush through the curriculum in order to prepare for examinations,” he said. “So take this opportunity to study well and enjoy school and learning more.”
Speaking to reporters later on the sideline of the event, Mr Ong stressed that while there is a reduction in the number of examinations, there is no reduction in rigour.
“As a teacher, as a parent, you really have to understand the child, their learning progress and their approach. And by understanding the child deeper, you can actually have more qualitative inputs and qualitative assessments.”
As for the other levels where one in four exams are being removed, Mr Ong said there is still a system of class tests and year-end examinations that allow rigour to be upheld.
“Remember, we are starting from a point of very high rigour,” he said. “Now, we are just calibrating it to have a better balance between joy and rigour.”"
As for tuition centres that said they will ramp up simulated examinations more, Minister Ong said: "U r turning against a well thought out national policy! So, please work with us!" Will they? Let's see how this unfold.
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