Conflict of Interest Declaration by Individuals Involved in DSA Selection Process

Mr Chua Kheng Wee Louis asked the Minister for Education whether individuals who are involved in the selection process for the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise in schools are required to (i) make a conflict of interest (COI) declaration or (ii) abstain from the selection process should there be a COI or close affiliation with the DSA candidate, prior to each DSA exercise.

My response will also cover the matters raised in the questions by Dr Wan Rizal and Mr Patrick Tay, which are scheduled for a subsequent Sitting.

The Direct School Admission, or DSA, seeks to broaden the recognition of talents and achievements of our students beyond academic grades. This has provided many students with an alternative pathway to enroll in secondary schools or junior colleges, matching their talents and potentials with schools that have niches in those areas.

The DSA selection process is undergirded by the principles of transparency, objectivity, inclusiveness and student-centricity. While schools have autonomy in their selection, schools are required to abide by a set of guidelines from the Ministry of Education (MOE) to ensure that the selection goes beyond manifested skills to include whole person qualities as well as potential, among others. For example, the guidelines stipulate that the school leadership team is required to lead DSA selection panels and oversee the selection process. Non-school staff, including coaches and instructors, may be invited to join the selection process and provide inputs.

MOE also requires all individuals involved in the DSA selection process to declare any potential conflict of interest and to recuse themselves from the process, if there are any. Schools are also required to inform coaches and instructors that if they market their services by implying that they can influence or determine DSA outcomes, they may be de-registered from MOE.

Arising from the allegations of wrongdoing involving a basketball coach, the coach has been de-registered and is no longer working in any MOE school, while his membership in the National Registry of Coaches has been suspended. MOE has reminded schools to ensure that their DSA processes are in line with the guidelines, including that the school leadership team should be involved in the final decision-making.

MOE reviews our selection guidelines regularly to take on board observations and feedback from the previous DSA exercise and engages schools on the updated guidelines. We will continue to update these guidelines to strengthen the process and address gaps.

However, no system is perfect and the DSA selection process, ultimately, depends on the integrity and professionalism of individuals involved. MOE takes a serious view of allegations of wrongdoing in the DSA selection process and will investigate every case. If there are allegations of any wrongdoing, we will refer them to the relevant authorities for investigation. Let me assure Members that we will take firm action against the parties involved, both the giver and taker, if there is evidence of wrongdoing, to ensure the integrity and fairness of the DSA selection process.