Effect of Removing Mid-year Examinations on Students’ Well-being

Debated in Parliament on 3 Oct 2023.

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Gerald Giam asked whether the Ministry has assessed how removing mid-year exams affects student well-being and if pressure has shifted to year-end exams, and whether the Ministry is working with schools to rebalance emphasis on exams with alternative assessments.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the goal is not just to reduce stress but to lessen overemphasis on exams and grades, freeing up time for more engaging learning and helping students develop self-directed learning and 21st-century skills.
He noted that students still receive feedback through weighted assessments and classroom assignments, and schools design varied assessments aligned with learning objectives.
Schools reported that students and parents appreciate more opportunities to discover interests and strengths, while teachers have more time to provide diverse learning experiences and feedback.
The Ministry will continue working with schools and stakeholders to ensure assessments support learning while considering student well-being.

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Gerald Giam Yean Song

Mr Gerald Giam Yean Song asked the Minister for Education (a) whether the Ministry has assessed the effect of removing mid-year examinations on primary and secondary school students’ well-being and if the pressure on students is being shifted to end-of-year examinations; and (b) whether the Ministry is working with schools to rebalance the emphasis on examinations and tests with alternative forms of assessment.

Chan Chun Sing

The purpose of education is to enable every child to learn values, skills and knowledge to develop into a healthy thriving person capable of contributing as a citizen. The school curriculum and programmes help students discover and learn, so as to reach their potential. Assessments serve as periodic points to gather information on students’ learning progress and to support them in their next stage of learning, such as in helping to determine the subjects and subject levels most suitable for them.

The removal of Mid-Year Examinations should be understood in the right spirit. It is not aimed at reducing stress per se, but at reducing the overemphasis on examinations and grades and to free up time and space for teachers to provide more engaging learning experiences and pace learning. This will give students more opportunities to strengthen their 21st century competencies and develop as self-directed learners.

Students will have sufficient feedback through a variety of ways, such as weighted assessments and classroom assignments, to improve their learning. Schools design a variety of assessments suited to the learning objectives.

Schools have given feedback that students and parents appreciate that there are now more opportunities for students to discover their interests and strengths. Teachers also have more time to provide a variety of learning experiences to cater to students' learning needs and to give feedback on their learning.

The Ministry of Education will continue to work closely with schools and stakeholders to ensure that our school assessments are appropriately positioned and designed to enable students’ learning, while mindful of their well-being.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gerald Giam asked whether the Ministry has assessed how removing mid-year exams affects student well-being and if pressure has shifted to year-end exams, and whether the Ministry is working with schools to rebalance emphasis on exams with alternative assessments.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the goal is not just to reduce stress but to lessen overemphasis on exams and grades, freeing up time for more engaging learning and helping students develop self-directed learning and 21st-century skills.
He noted that students still receive feedback through weighted assessments and classroom assignments, and schools design varied assessments aligned with learning objectives.
Schools reported that students and parents appreciate more opportunities to discover interests and strengths, while teachers have more time to provide diverse learning experiences and feedback.
The Ministry will continue working with schools and stakeholders to ensure assessments support learning while considering student well-being.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Effect of Removing Mid-year Examinations on Students’ Well-being | PAPERCUTS

Effect of Removing Mid-year Examinations on Students’ Well-being

Debated in Parliament on 3 Oct 2023.

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gerald Giam asked whether the Ministry has assessed how removing mid-year exams affects student well-being and if pressure has shifted to year-end exams, and whether the Ministry is working with schools to rebalance emphasis on exams with alternative assessments.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the goal is not just to reduce stress but to lessen overemphasis on exams and grades, freeing up time for more engaging learning and helping students develop self-directed learning and 21st-century skills.
He noted that students still receive feedback through weighted assessments and classroom assignments, and schools design varied assessments aligned with learning objectives.
Schools reported that students and parents appreciate more opportunities to discover interests and strengths, while teachers have more time to provide diverse learning experiences and feedback.
The Ministry will continue working with schools and stakeholders to ensure assessments support learning while considering student well-being.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Full Transcript

Gerald Giam Yean Song

Chan Chun Sing

Summary written by AI (learn more)

Gerald Giam asked whether the Ministry has assessed how removing mid-year exams affects student well-being and if pressure has shifted to year-end exams, and whether the Ministry is working with schools to rebalance emphasis on exams with alternative assessments.
Minister Chan Chun Sing explained that the goal is not just to reduce stress but to lessen overemphasis on exams and grades, freeing up time for more engaging learning and helping students develop self-directed learning and 21st-century skills.
He noted that students still receive feedback through weighted assessments and classroom assignments, and schools design varied assessments aligned with learning objectives.
Schools reported that students and parents appreciate more opportunities to discover interests and strengths, while teachers have more time to provide diverse learning experiences and feedback.
The Ministry will continue working with schools and stakeholders to ensure assessments support learning while considering student well-being.

Questions identified by AI (learn more)

Effect of Removing Mid-year Examinations on Students’ Well-being

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Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gerald Giam Yean Song

Chan Chun Sing

Summary

Questions Identified

Effect of Removing Mid-year Examinations on Students’ Well-being

Summary

Questions Identified

Full Transcript

Gerald Giam Yean Song

Chan Chun Sing

Summary

Questions Identified