Which Secondary School is Right For You?

The academic rigor in Singapore’s secondary schools is a big jump from the primary schools. 7 or 8 subjects are the norm in secondary school, compared to the 4 in primary school. IP, Express, Normal and education courses are offered in secondary school. CCA (Co-Curricular Activities) are also compulsory, and students have to participate in at least one CCA.

Most secondary schools in Singapore start at 7.30am and end at 4.30pm. However, there are some schools which have longer hours, ending at 6pm or 7pm. The workload for students is also heavy, as they have to cope with the demands of school work, CCA and tuition (most students attend private tuition).

The Ministry of Education, Singapore has also implemented a few changes to the secondary school education system in recent years. For example, the PSLE grading system has been changed and the yards stick for admission into the Premier Secondary Schools has been raised. The changes affects the learning outcomes but the breadth of subject scope remains largely unchanged. Singapore’s secondary school system is one of the most competitive in the world. Students are expected to achieve high academic standards and maintain a good co-curricular record.

There are a few different types of secondary schools in Singapore, each with their own admissions criteria. The most common type of secondary school is the government schools or government-aided schools, which most students attend. There are also a number of private schools, which charge very high tuition fees. Private schools normally cater to International Students & run special programmes administered by international exam boards.

To be eligible to attend secondary school in Singapore, students must first pass the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). The PSLE is a nationwide exam that all students must take at the end of their primary school education. Based on their PSLE score, students will be placed in one of four secondary school bands: IP, Express, Normal (Academic) and Normal (Technical) courses.

• The IP stream is the most coveted and the most demanding. It is a through-train 6-year course that does not require sitting for the O-level exams. IP students will complete the programme with the GCE A Level, IB (Diploma) or the NUS High School Diploma.
• Express students take a 4-year programme that culminates in the GCE O level. Most students a placed in this programme which exists in almost all Secondary Schools.
• The Normal Course is a 4 years and students sit for the GCE N Level. Students who perform well are allowed to take the GCE O Levels at the end of year 5

Admission to the streams are solely dependent on the PSLE results but students can transfer laterally between programmes at intermediate points.

It is good to allow a student to pursue a course that affords the ideal learning pace for the student to develop his her academic potential. If parents are not able to assist in this aspect, a private tutor who has tutored the student will be the best possible person to offer an unbiased opinion.