Fewer subjects needed, so more time for students

Schools, students and parents are heartened by the move to reduce the number of subjects required for JC admission from six to five come 2028

- Jane Ng Senior Correspondent

Secondary 2 students Ryan Kee (left) and Yaasir Nor Azahar, both 14, from Tanjong Katong Secondary School, plan to take seven subjects in Secondary 3. Tanjong Katong Girls' School Secondary 2 student Isabelle Poon, who will be taking seven instead of eight subjects, wants to use the freed-up time on dance and volunteer work. Madam Lee Cheng Ee and her daughter Ong Ing Theng, a Secondary 2 student from Jurong Secondary, Ing Theng plans to take seven subjects, including biology and chemistry.

(ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG ST PHOTO: KEVIN LIM ST PHOTO: NG SOR LUAN)

Secondary 2 student Ryan Kee had already decided to take eight subjects in Secondary 3, including the three sciences, when he heard about a new directive encouraging students to take seven subjects instead.

With the number of subjects required for junior college (JC) admission reduced from six to five in 2028, students are encouraged to take one fewer subject in upper secondary and use the freed-up time to pursue other interests.

With the change, students will need to get 16 points or lower for their L1R4 (one language and four relevant subjects) score, compared with the current score of 20 or fewer for L1R5.

The first batch of students impacted are those in Secondary 2 in 2025, who will be picking their upper secondary subject combination.

The 14-year-old from Tanjong Katong Secondary School, who hopes to be a dentist, says he was initially worried about not being able to pursue his interest in the sciences.

But he adds: "I realised I can offer pure chemistry and biology instead of triple science to pursue dentistry."

In fact, Ryan, who has decided to take seven subjects in 2026, has grown to like the idea. "It will give me more time to focus on my homework and revision during exams and allow me to have more time to rest with an earlier dismissal," he says.