The 2021 PSLE written examinations have raised some concerns for parents in Singapore. Aside from the implementation of the new grading system and reports of the papers being too difficult, many students have also had to sit out the exams due to Covid-19.
On Monday (1 November), the Ministry of Education (MOE) shared their response in Parliament to such concerns about PSLE and what measures are being taken.
2021 PSLE Standards, New Grading System And Absenteeism
Image source: iStock
MP Muhamad Faisal Abdul, Aljunied GRC, asked the Minister of Education the following questions to which the ministry has promptly responded.
1. The difference between the 2021 PSLE papers compared to 2020 considering the new grading system
“The PSLE is aligned to the Primary Schools’ syllabuses, and the standard of the examinations is comparable to past years,” said MOE.
They also assured parents that the new PSLE scoring system will not affect the syllabuses and standards of the exams.
In regards to setting the examination questions, a panel of test developers adhere to a “test blueprint and well-established test development protocol that ensure this.”
This panel consists of assessment specialists from the Singapore examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) and curriculum specialists from the ministry.
2. Assurance that the 2021 PSLE results reflect students’ true capabilities
MOE understands that parents are concerned about their children’s performance in the exams and how the new PSLE scoring system would affect it.
To which they responded by saying, “When the scripts are marked, all answers that demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills will be given due credit.”
SEAB also has processes in place to take the disruptions caused by Covid-19 into consideration. This is to ensure that this cohort of students is not disadvantaged by the “exceptional circumstances.”
Image source: Facebook / Ministry of Education, Singapore
3. Students having to sit out the exams due to Covid-19 issues
According to the ministry, 39,281 students registered for this year’s PSLE written examinations held from September 30 to October 6 2021. This makes the overall attendance rate 99.5%. This also means about 430 or 1.1% of students missed at least one paper due to Covid-19 related reasons.
Both MOE and SEAB have recognised that Primary 6 students may encounter disruptions to their learning because of the pandemic. Due to this, “Common Last Topics” have been removed from the 2021 PSLE.
Similar to past years, students who miss any national examination papers with valid reasons can apply for special consideration. This includes Covid-19, medical leave and compassionate reasons.
Special consideration is a well-established procedure that awards students with projected grades through a “fair and rigorous evidence-based methodology.”
SEAB will be considering multiple sources of data when awarding a grade to affected students. To ensure a fair assessment for all students, they will be making considerations such as the following:
- The student’s performance in the other papers for that affected subject in national and school-based examinations
- The school cohort’s performance in national and school-based examinations
“All special consideration applications are assessed on its merit, to ensure that the grades awarded are accurate and fair,” says the ministry.
Source: MOE
Lead image source Facebook / Ministry of Education, Singapore.
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