In a significant development for Singapore’s education landscape, a staggering 40,894 Primary 6 students took the PSLE this year, and an impressive 98.5% are set to progress to secondary school. This information was made public by the Ministry of Education (MOE) on Wednesday, November 20.

The PSLE results, which are crucial for students’ academic futures, were officially announced at 11 am. As part of the new educational reforms, students can now be assessed under a full subject-based banding system starting from Secondary 1 (S1). Those eligible for Posting Groups 1 and 2 have the option to pursue English Language, mother tongue, mathematics, and science at advanced levels based on their Achievement Level (AL) scores across subjects.

The grading system has shifted from the previous T-score method to a new AL system, where students are evaluated on a scale from AL 1 to AL 8. Under this system, a lower score is indicative of better performance, making it easier for students to find their academic footing. For example, students achieving AL 5 or better can take subjects at G3 or G2 levels, effectively providing a tailored learning environment.

With the new changes taking effect in 2024, the traditional Express, N(A), and N(T) streams will be eliminated, paving the way for a more streamlined approach to education. Preliminary data suggests that approximately 65% of the 2024 Primary 6 cohort will be eligible for advanced subject levels, maintaining continuity with the previous year's cohort.

In a different yet surprising turn of events, a tuition centre located in NEWest Mall has commenced a giveaway of luxurious Coach bags, aimed at parents who have committed to enrolling their children in the Chinese Language Centre for four consecutive years. Announced in October, this marketing strategy has been described as a token of appreciation. Nevertheless, the centre has not disclosed the value of the bags or the total number available, giving rise to curiosity among parents.

On another front, allegations of fraudulent activity have surfaced against Feng Tianwei, a renowned former national table tennis player and assistant director at SportSG. She is currently facing scrutiny regarding her previous relationship with her former personal fitness coach, Zhou Xiang, who claims inappropriate use of public funds.

SportSG responded to the allegations on November 18, stating there is no evidence to support claims of misappropriation of public funds. A spokesperson highlighted that similar accusations made by Zhou were found to be baseless following an investigation in 2021. Feng clarified that she personally covered all costs associated with Zhou's coaching during their association, which took place from April to October 2018.

Since then, Feng has stated that Zhou has harassed her, her family, and her friends, resulting in considerable emotional distress. She confirmed that she is now taking legal steps to address these ongoing issues and to safeguard her personal and professional reputation.

In this whirlwind of PSLE successes for students, intriguing promotions from educational institutions, and serious allegations in the sports realm, Singapore continues to navigate a complex landscape of achievement and integrity, and the coming weeks are sure to bring further developments. Stay tuned for updates!