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Primary School Education Booklet 2021
Primary School Education Booklet 2021
Primary School Education Booklet 2021
SCHOOL
EDUCATION
Preparing Your Child For Tomorrow
Your Child’s Best
Interests at Heart
The primary school years are an important phase of your child’s
education. During these formative years, the Ministry of Education 01 SCHOOLING FOR EVERY CHILD
(MOE) wants to build every child’s confidence and desire to learn.
Our curriculum aims to provide your child with a broad range of
learning experiences that will help him to discover his talents and 02 NURTURING OUR YOUNG FOR
interests. THE FUTURE
PRIMARY SCHOOL EDUCATION AT A GLANCE
• Six years of compulsory education. 03 CURRICULUM FOR WELL-ROUNDED
LEARNING
• Subject-based Banding to cater to children with different strengths.
• Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) at the end of six years. 06 DIFFERENTIATED LEARNING
ENVIRONMENT
• Singapore Citizens need not pay school fees, but a standard
monthly miscellaneous fee of $6.50, and a second-tier 08 LEARN THROUGH PLAY
miscellaneous fee capped at $6.50 are payable.
For more information on school fees payable for your child, please 11 CHOOSING THE RIGHT SCHOOL
visit https://www.moe.gov.sg/financial-matters/fees
Schooling for Every Child Nurturing Our Young for the Future
In Singapore, every child receives a six-year compulsory primary school education, which
builds a strong foundation to develop him to his fullest potential and to prepare him for
future learning and work.
To help each child thrive in a digital-rich, diverse and globalised environment, our schools
develop in him 21st Century Competencies and nurture him to become:
Curriculum for
Well-Rounded Learning
The primary school curriculum is designed to give your child a strong foundation that includes:
- Nurturing sound values;
- Developing social-emotional competency & citizenship dispositions; and
- Developing literacy and numeracy skills.
The curriculum offered by the Ministry focuses on three main aspects of education – subject
disciplines, knowledge skills and character development.
• Knowledge skills focus on developing your child’s thinking and communication skills.
Knowledge skills are taught through a variety of subjects and often through a
project work approach. This allows your child to tap his knowledge skills to clearly
demonstrate what he has acquired, either individually or collaboratively in a team.
CHINESE LANGUAGE MALAY LANGUAGE TAMIL LANGUAGE GEP students are placed in mixed form classes
CURRICULUM CURRICULUM CURRICULUM with their mainstream peers and have many
opportunities to learn and play with them during
• Emphasis on listening, speaking, reading and writing.
lessons for Form Teacher Guidance Period (FTGP),
• Emphasis on interaction skills.
Mother Tongue Language, Physical Education,
• Teaching tailored to meet the different learning needs of students.
Art and Music, as well as Values in Action (VIA)
• More engaging and appealing teaching materials that capture students’ interest.
projects and CCA.
• Modular approach where all • Students will have the • Students will have the
students will take the Core Module; opportunity to progress opportunity to progress to Mainstream students with high ability in specific
students who require more support to different levels of different levels of achievement areas will have opportunities to enrich their
can take Bridging/Reinforcement achievement in in their learning. They will also learning through both school-based and MOE
Modules; students with interest and their learning. be given more opportunities centrally-organised activities during or outside of
ability to go further can take to practise Spoken Tamil. school hours.
Enrichment Modules.
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SCHOOL
EDUCATION
08
HOW
W DOES SUBJECT-BASED BANDING (PRIMARY) WORK?
AT PRIMARY 4
AT PRIMARY 5
School assesses student’s ability to cope with the current subject combination at the end of the year.
Adjustments to the number of Standard and Foundation subjects can be made, if necessary.
AT PRIMARY 6
Student takes subject combination decided by his school and sits for the Primary School Leaving Examination
(PSLE) at the end of Primary 6.
the physical, social and emotional changes that Student Development Experiences HOLISTIC ASSESSMENT TO curriculum demands during the Primary 3 and 5
they experience as they grow up, cope (SDEs) SUPPORT LEARNING transition years of learning, mid-year examinations
with life’s stresses and develop resilience, SDEs are programmes and activities that contribute Assessment is integral to the teaching and will be removed for these levels by 2021.
explore their interests and strengths, and towards the holistic development of your child in learning process.
navigate the cyber world effectively and safely. the physical, aesthetic, intellectual, moral and As parents, you will receive more meaningful and
social domains. Holistic Assessment emphasises the development regular feedback that highlights areas where your
• CCE in Mother Tongue Languages of skills and values, as well as the acquisition of child has done well, and also ways to improve
CCE is also taught in Mother Tongue Languages SDEs comprise the following: Co-Curricular Activities knowledge to enable your child to build greater his learning.
as values are closely intertwined with culture, (CCA); Cohort Learning Journeys e.g. Museum- confidence and nurture a stronger intrinsic motivation
stories and language. Teachers will provide the based Learning; Education and Career Guidance to learn. This will in turn help your child to develop SINGLE-SESSION PRIMARY SCHOOLS
necessary scaffolding and guidance to help their experiences; National Education Commemorative his potential. All primary schools will be operating at single session
students understand and articulate their views in Days e.g. Racial Harmony Day; Outdoor Adventure from 2022 onwards. This means schools will have more
their Mother Tongue Languages. Learning Cohort Camps; Student Leadership With Holistic Assessment, schools move beyond tests time and space to focus on non-academic aspects
Development Programmes; and Values in Action, and examinations, and use other appropriate such as leadership training and character building.
• Programme for Active Learning (PAL) including Everyday Responsibilities assessment modes to provide useful information
To encourage learning beyond the classroom, that supports your child’s learning and holistic A single-session structure does not mean a full day
PAL gives your child the chance to discover Co-curricular Activities (CCAs) are an integral part of development. of school; it only means an extension of one to two
new interests, learn new skills and develop his a well-rounded education and play an important role hours on certain days to facilitate your child’s non-
character. Your child will have the opportunity in building character. There is a whole spectrum of At Primary 1 and 2, there will be no examinations academic development. Schools are given the
during curriculum time to try out activities in exciting CCAs for your child to choose from, ranging and weighted assessments* so that your child can flexibility to plan these activities based on their
sports and outdoor education, as well as in from physical sports, uniformed groups, visual and ease into formal schooling more smoothly. Teachers specific needs.
the performing and visual arts. All primary schools performing arts, to clubs and societies. They help will continue to leverage assessments to check for
offer PAL to their Primary 1 and 2 students. nurture in your child qualities such as resilience, cross- students’ understanding. They will provide timely and New infrastructure will be put in place to support
cultural awareness, confidence and creativity. targeted feedback to students to move their learning these non-academic activities. School facilities
forward, and improve teaching practices, harnessing and spaces are being redesigned, and this includes
technology where useful. To provide your child with outdoor learning spaces and additional venues for
adequate time and space to adjust to the increased performing arts.
SUPPORT IN MAINSTREAM SCHOOLS have seen positive outcomes for students with mild SUPPORT IN SPECIAL sizes with specialised instruction and in-class support,
Support is available in all mainstream schools for ASD and their peers. Students also have access to EDUCATION SCHOOLS as well as therapy support services from professionals
students with SEN, such as Dyslexia, Attention Deficit referral services like the Response Early Intervention Special Education (SPED) schools offer customised such as speech and language therapists, occupational
Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), mild Autism Spectrum and Assessment in Community Mental Health curriculum and educational pathways to cater to therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists and social
Disorder (ASD), hearing loss, and visual or physical (REACH) provided by the Institute of Mental Health. the diverse needs of children with moderate-to- workers. Every student has an Individual Education Plan
impairment. These students have mild SEN, which severe SEN. All SPED schools optimise their students’ (IEP) to support his unique learning needs.
allows them to access the national curriculum Students with hearing loss, and visual or physical potential and abilities – both academic and
and learn in large-group settings because of their impairment can access itinerant school-based non-academic – for independent living, continual At the secondary level, an Individual Transition Plan
cognitive abilities and adequate adaptive skills. educational support services (ISS) provided by AWWA learning, and meaningful work when they graduate. is developed for each student based on his interests,
Ltd and Singapore Association of the Deaf. Assistive preferences and strengths, to support his transition to
All primary schools have teachers trained in special technological devices such as Frequency Modulation There is a range of government-funded SPED schools post-school pathways and positive life outcomes.
needs and Allied Educators (Learning and Behavioural (FM) equipment, electronic magnifiers, talking run by different Social Service Agencies that cater to
Support) to help students with SEN integrate into the calculators etc. are also made available to support SEN, including Intellectual Disability, Autism Spectrum A number of educational pathways are available to
school environment. Schools also have access to students’ learning needs. Designated mainstream Disorder, Physical and Multiple Disabilities, Hearing Loss suit your child’s cognitive and adaptive functioning.
MOE psychologists who provide consultation and schools provide specialised support for students and Visual Impairment. Students who can access the national curriculum can
advice on supporting these students. with moderate to profound hearing loss or visual do so in SPED schools set up to provide this curriculum.
impairment, who are able to access the national The curriculum in SPED schools focuses on developing
curriculum: both academic and non-academic skills including There are also SPED schools that offer a customised
To better help students with social and behavioural
communication and language, numeracy, daily living curriculum for students requiring more specialised
needs develop independence in Primary 1, educational support and vocational education for
• Mayflower Primary School has specially trained and social emotional skills, PE and Arts, and incorporates
TRANsition Support for InTegration (TRANSIT) will be secondary-aged students.
teachers to support students with moderate-to- the development of skills in the areas of Character and
progressively introduced to schools, where students
Citizenship Education and the use of technology.
will learn foundational self-management skills based profound hearing loss and who use signing as their You can find out more information here: http://moe.
on their specific needs. primary mode of communication. gov.sg/special-educational-needs or visit the SPED
All SPED schools also offer a Vocational Education
• There are also designated secondary schools schools’ websites for information on their respective
curriculum. They also have CCAs and learning journeys
Students with dyslexia are identified at the end of equipped to support students with visual admission processes.
and participate in the Singapore Youth Festival and
Primary 2 and are supported through the School-based impairment or hearing loss at secondary level.
National Schools Games. SPED schools have small class
Dyslexia Remediation (SDR) programme at Primary
3 and 4. They can also access the MOE-subsidised You may also access information
Main Literacy Programme conducted by the Dyslexia on the schools in SchoolFinder at
Association of Singapore. https://moe.gov.sg/schoolfinder/.
NEED TO KNOW MORE?
• Edusave Good FOR PRIMARY 2 AND 3 STUDENTS • $100 for Pri 2 to Pri 3
EDUSAVE SCHEME Progress Award Students who do not qualify for Edusave Merit Bursary but
The Edusave Scheme maximises educational opportunities for all Singaporean children by providing both the showed the greatest improvement in learning disposition in
children and schools with funds to pay for enrichment programmes, or to purchase additional resources. It also the course of the year and demonstrated good conduct.
rewards those who perform well, or who make good progress in their academic and non-academic work.
FOR PRIMARY 4 TO 6 STUDENTS • $150 for Pri 4 to Pri 6
Your child will receive an annual contribution in his Edusave account, if he is a Singapore Citizen, and aged 7 to Students who are within the top 10% of their school’s
16 or enrolled at primary and secondary levels in MOE-funded schools. The amount contributed for 2021 is $230 level and course in terms of improvement in academic
for primary-level students. performance and have demonstrated good conduct.
*
Per Capita Income is gross monthly household income divided by the number of members in the household.
EDUSAVE PUPILS FUND
Your child may use the funds in his Edusave account to pay for: FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE SCHEMES
• Enrichment programmes organised by his school; and Financial assistance schemes are available to ensure that no child is denied an education because of his
• Second-tier miscellaneous fees in government or government-aided primary schools. financial situation. The MOE Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) provides needy students with free textbooks,
school attire, transport and meal subsidies, and full subsidy of standard miscellaneous fees.
In addition, schools provide discretionary assistance using school-based funds. This school-based assistance
can benefit those who do not meet the qualifying criteria for the MOE FAS, as well as provide additional
assistance to those on the MOE FAS who need further aid. Parents and students can approach the schools
directly if they require financial assistance.
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SCHOOL
EDUCATION
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• Family with gross 100% subsidised Free Free Subsidies Students taking
household income not for seven school bus: 60%
exceeding $2,750 per meals per subsidy of monthly
month; or school school bus fares; or
week
• Per Capita Income* not Students taking
exceeding $690 per public transport:
month $15 transport subsidy
per month, up to
$180 per annum
*
Per Capita Income is gross monthly household income divided by the number of members in the household.
When your child enters Primary 1, you will receive a copy of the Parent-
Child Activity Book, which is a resource for parents to support their child’s
transition from pre-school to Primary 1. The book offers parenting tips
and activities to encourage conversations at home. It also helps you
reinforce values and routines that your child practises in school. You can
OPPORTUNITY FUND also ask your child about a segment titled “Family Time” in his Character
Beyond these financial assistance schemes, MOE provides the Opportunity Fund that our schools can use for and Citizenship Education lessons in school, which promotes parent-child
the provision of enrichment activities and overseas school trips for Singaporean students from less-advantaged bonding through suggested activities.
backgrounds. The Fund can also be used to subsidise the purchase of computers to ensure that students in need
are not denied learning opportunities. Here are some tips on how you can help your child enjoy his learning
experience in his early years of education.
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www.moe.gov.sg