Old PSLE Scoring System vs. New: What's the Real Change?

So, you might have heard about the shake-up in the Singaporean education system, specifically the “new” PSLE (Primary School Leaving Examination) scoring system. The government claims it’s all about reducing the obsession with grades, but is that really what’s happening?

In this article, we’re going to dive into the nitty-gritty of this change and see what it means for students and parents.

Old vs. New: Let’s Break it Down

In the old days, students got those familiar A, B, C grades, right? Well, not anymore. The “new” system has swapped those out for what they call “Achievement Levels.” Sounds fancy, but what does it really mean?

Under the old system, if you scored a solid 75, you’d proudly get an A. But now, in this “new” system, that same score gets you a grade 4, which is two notches down. It’s like the grading got tougher overnight. A 60 used to be a B, but now it’s a grade 6, three steps down. It’s not looking too good for students aiming for higher grades.

The Morale Factor

One big worry here is what this will do to students’ morale. In the past, if you scored well, it boosted your confidence. But now, you could be giving your best and still end up with lower grades. That’s bound to make anyone question their abilities and add more stress to an already competitive environment.

What’s in a Name?

Now, let’s talk about why they had to change the grading system’s name from the good ol’ alphabetical grades to “Achievement Levels.” It feels like they’re trying to hide something. Is it a way to make these changes look less noticeable? It’s a bit confusing, to be honest.

Emphasis on Academics

Despite what they say, it seems like this “new” system is even more focused on academic results. The Ministry of Education (MOE) claims they want finer differentiation among students, but that seems to contradict their goal of reducing academic pressure. The switch to “Achievement Levels” might just crank up the competition among students.

Same Old Streams

Here’s the thing – the new system doesn’t change the fact that students still get sorted into Express, Normal (Academic), or Normal (Technical) classes based on their scores. The entry requirements stay pretty much the same. So, does it really make every school a good school, as the government promised?

In a Nutshell

To sum it up, this “new” PSLE scoring system, despite the fancy name, doesn’t seem to be shaking things up as much as it claims. Students might end up more stressed, and the focus on grades remains pretty strong. If we really want to improve education, maybe we should think about reducing class sizes, simplifying the syllabus, and making sure every student has equal access to education and resources. Only then can we truly make every school a good one for all students, regardless of their academic abilities.

The big question is whether the government is on board with these changes or if the “new” PSLE scoring system is just another surface-level tweak that doesn’t address the real issues in Singapore’s education system. Time will tell.

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