19 November 2018
Second Education Minister Indranee Rajah has stated that streaming still has a place in Singapore’s education system.
However, there is a need to change certain negative perceptions, for instance, regarding students from slower streams as having less general ability and potential.
In a recent Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development report on equity and education, the streaming of children was highlighted as a problem that could cause social division.
Ms Indranee, who is currently heading a task force to help children from disadvantaged households meet their full potential, said: “The intention behind streaming was to help students progress at a pace that was comfortable for them. It greatly reduced dropout rates and ensured that people were able to stay in school and access the different pathways. So what we want is to retain a system that allows people to learn at their own pace but, at the same time, encourage more social mixing, empathy and programmes that allow students to do things together so they get to see each other for who they really are.”