120 Secondary Schools Now Offer Full Subject-Based Banding

Roll-out of scheme allowing students to take subjects at a more demanding level complete

- Tang Yi Qing

In time to come, Secondary 2 student Caryn Heng, 13, hopes to take all of her core subjects at a higher level, with the goal of qualifying for a local polytechnic.

In 2024, she was assigned to Pasir Ris Secondary School under posting group 2 - one of three posting groups used by the Ministry of Education (MOE) to assign Primary 6 pupils to secondary schools.

The groups are mapped to the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) score ranges for Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic) and Express courses. For instance, pupils assigned to posting group 3 will take most subjects at the G3 level - the equivalent of the Express level.

Once in school, students can choose to take some subjects at a more demanding level, according to their specific subject results and abilities, under the MOE's full subject-based banding approach.

Pasir Ris Secondary School was among the latest batch of 24 schools to come on board full subject-based banding in 2024. A total of 120 secondary schools have now adopted the approach, completing the roll-out of the scheme.

After completing Secondary 1 and doing well in her mathematics examination, Caryn was offered the chance to take the subject at the G3 level. She was already taking Chinese language and science at the G3 level at the start of Secondary 1.