Drawback of leaving out highest and lowest scores

Drawback of leaving out highest and lowest scores

SINGAPORE - I welcome the Education Ministry's attempt to reduce stress for primary school pupils ("PSLE results won't show highest or lowest scores"; last Wednesday).

However, leaving out the highest and lowest scores from Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) result slips may not be the best way to achieve this goal.

Secondary school posting depends on supply and demand for places. If a cohort achieves higher PSLE scores, the cut-off points go up.

So a pupil's chances of getting into a school of his choice depend on the performance of his peers.

Without a rough gauge of a cohort's performance, parents and pupils may not be able to make informed choices.

The ministry should issue a press statement on the general performance of each cohort in comparison to the previous one.

Using the cut-off points of the previous year, parents and pupils would then be able to make a more accurate prediction of this year's cut-off points.

Ng Qi Siang


Get a copy of The Straits Times or go to straitstimes.com for more stories.

This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.