Mid-Year Exams Will Stop By 2020 In 90% Of Secondary Schools & Half Of Primary Schools

Schools Are Removing MYEs 1 Year Earlier Than Scheduled

Whether you agree with it or not, mid-year examinations (MYE) in primary and secondary schools will be removed in 2021.

However, many schools seem to be removing MYE’s before the stipulated deadline.

Education Minister Ong Ye Kung spoke about the trend at a recent conference for teachers, according to a report by the Straits Times.

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Schools support the removal of MYEs

Last year, the Ministry of Education (MOE), announced that Primary 3 and 5 students, as well as Secondary 1 and 3 students, will no longer have MYEs.

The ministry gave schools until 2021 to implement the changes. However, 90% of secondary schools and half of the primary schools will have removed MYE’s 1 year earlier in 2020.

Some schools have even removed MYEs this year. Other schools are also looking to remove the examinations at other levels.

Schools want to adopt subject-based banding

As part of the efforts to remove over-emphasis on results, secondary schools are also required to adopt subject-based banding by 2024.

Currently, 25 schools are scheduled to transition to subject-based banding. However, Mr Ong revealed that other schools have expressed their interest to be included in the new system.

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Unfortunately, the ministry will only “settle at just below 30 schools” so that they can provide adequate support for those schools.

Helping students discover the joy of learning

These changes in policy aim to help children discover the joy of learning. Teachers now have more time to curate lessons that cultivate a child’s interest rather than rushing syllabus.

Schools that have applied the new policies have already started to see the effects. Teachers are now able to let students learn through skits or even website-making.

From the figures Mr Ong gave, schools seem to appreciate these changes.

However, more kan chiong parents may begin sending their kids to tuition centres that offer tests to gauge their child’s progress. This coupled with the increased focus on end-of-year exams, could lead to more stress for kids.

While the aim of the policy changes is good, true change will only happen if the ‘A-sian’ mindset is changed.

Featured image from Earthsocietysg.