Cuts by MP Louis Ng during Ministry of Education’s Committee of Supply Debate 2019
Abolishing streaming
In my budget speech, I shared my concerns about streaming and how it might lead to social stratification. I spoke about the immobility in our education system where a student who enters the
Normal (Technical) stream has little chance of leaving this stream. I spoke about how streaming can discourage some students.
How is MOE addressing the concerns of social stratification due to streaming? Will MOE consider abolishing streaming in secondary schools and focus solely on subject-based banding which is what
we have done in primary schools?
Watch the speech here
Watch the response by MOE here
Making CCAs available to all students
CCAs are an integral part of our students’ holistic education and play an important role in reducing social stratification. As MOE has stated “CCA also promotes friendships among students from
diverse backgrounds as they learn, play and grow together.”
Students can choose the CCA of their choice but I understand that for “Physical Sports” and “Visual and Performing Arts Group” CCAs, places are often limited and given to those who do well in those areas and can represent the school.
My concern here is that this might again harden social stratification if only students who do well in certain areas can pursue those CCAs.
A student who loves basketball and wants to pursue this interest should be allowed to, rather than be told that he or she is not good enough and should choose another interest to pursue.
Can Minister share what plans the Ministry has to ensure that places for CCA are available to all students and not just those who represent the school in competitions?
Watch the speech here
Watch the response here