14 May 2022
Although Singapore’s schools have the flexibility to decide daily start times, many secondary schools still expect students to be in school before 7.30am.
Of these, 60 schools said students had to assemble for the flag-raising ceremony by 7.30am, and eight schools started between 7.30am and 8am. Twelve schools had staggered start times throughout the week.
The issue of schools starting at the crack of dawn has raised concerns over the years about young students having too little sleep.
Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said MOE does not dictate school start times, other than saying schools should not start before 7.30am.