PSLE could move away from aggregate scores: Lim Biow Chuan

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The head of the Government Parliamentary Committee (GPC) for Education, Member of Parliament Lim Biow Chuan, said that the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) could do with less focus on aggregate scores.

An annual affair that sends the nation's parents, students and teachers into a frenzy; the PSLE has become a high-stakes examination.

The Education Ministry has acknowledged this and embarked on a year-long review sometime in 2012.

Mr Lim said that this would take away the stress associated with the examination. He also hoped to see more places set aside for the Direct School Admission (DSA) exercise, where students apply to secondary schools based on their achievements and talents before the release of their PSLE results.

PSLE aside, another frustration of many parents lies with the initial phases of the Primary One registration system, where many feel that the schools of their choice are often oversubscribed at the initial phases. This makes it more difficult for students with no affiliations to the schools, through their parents, or their siblings, to get into.

The Education Ministry has said that it is studying refinements to the priority scheme.

Mr Lim said: "If we don't do that... there would be a lot of unhappiness because it would seem like you are giving priority to those who have connections, and that is not what MOE wants to advocate."

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said recently that changes to the PSLE will be announced at the National Day Rally on Sunday.

Mr Lim acknowledged that whatever the changes, parents need to get on board.