Singapore’s Ministry of Education will focus its next round of public engagement on the Primary School Leaving Examination, Direct School Admission and secondary school choice as it looks at ways to ease the intense competition surrounding education.
Second Minister for Education David Neo said on Sept. 29 that the transition from primary to secondary school is where pressure on young students is often most acute. The ministry’s Education Conversations, which began in April and will continue into 2027, will examine parts of the system that contribute most to competition and anxiety.
Neo said the ministry has repeatedly heard concerns about the PSLE, DSA and differences in how schools are perceived. He stressed that any changes would involve trade-offs and that removing one source of pressure could simply shift competition elsewhere.
For the PSLE, suggestions raised during public discussions have included removing or postponing the examination, making it optional, changing its scoring system and modifying how students are assigned to secondary schools. Neo noted that alternatives such as balloting, proximity-based posting or through-train programmes could also create new challenges.
The DSA has emerged as another area of concern. The programme was created to recognise students’ talents and potential beyond academic results, but Neo said some families now view it as another competitive pathway alongside PSLE preparation.
Some parents have raised concerns that specialised coaching and enrichment could give better-resourced families an advantage. At the same time, removing DSA could shift more emphasis back to examination results and reduce recognition of abilities outside academics.
Neo said the objective is not simply to increase or reduce DSA places, but to ensure that talent recognition remains connected to genuine development. He also warned that expanding the range of skills assessed could unintentionally create more areas in which families feel pressured to invest.
School choice is another major focus. MOE wants parents to have greater confidence that schools across Singapore can provide strong teaching, development opportunities and credible pathways, rather than concentrating demand on a small number of schools perceived as more desirable.
The discussion comes as a recent Institute of Policy Studies study found that parents increasingly want their children to receive a more holistic education, while parental stress and spending on tuition and enrichment have also increased.
Neo said the government is not seeking to eliminate competition or lower educational standards. Instead, the aim is to prevent competition from becoming so dominant that it leaves less room for children to explore interests, develop different strengths and enjoy learning.
MOE will continue consulting parents and the wider public before deciding whether changes to the PSLE, DSA or school-choice system are needed. The ministry has said it will consider both the intended and unintended effects of possible reforms.
