Extending Compulsory Education to GCE 'O' or 'N' Levels

Miss Cheng Li Hui asked the Acting Minister for Education (Schools) whether the Ministry will consider extending compulsory education up to "O" or "N" levels in preparing our youths to meet future challenges.

The Acting Minister for Education (Schools) (Mr Ng Chee Meng): Madam, Ministry of Education (MOE) introduced Compulsory Education only at the Primary level in Singapore in 2003, following the recommendations of the Committee on Compulsory Education. The Committee had also deliberated whether Secondary education should be made compulsory and Parliament discussed this when the Compulsory Education Act was introduced. Legislating Compulsory Education does not ensure full enrolment in schools or solve the root problems of non-attendance, as these are often complex and multi-faceted in nature.

Instead, MOE has taken a holistic approach by working with parents, schools, community self-help groups and relevant agencies, such as the Ministry of Social and Family Development and Family Service Centres, to support families and help all students attend school. This includes tracking and helping students who are at-risk of dropping out of school, or those who are already out of the school system.

We also focus on upstream efforts, such as ensuring that children attend Primary school regularly to get a good start in education. With a solid foundation in the early years, our children are well-placed to progress to and access a Secondary and post-Secondary education.

In addition, we recognise that regular school attendance is necessary but insufficient for real learning to take place. MOE therefore also invests in providing multiple pathways and a variety of programmes in our schools to cater to students of different learning needs, strengths and talents, so that every student is able to learn at a pace most suited to him or her, and has the opportunities to develop his or her strengths and is well-prepared for further progression in education and work. The quality of their school experience helps to keep our students interested and engaged in school, to strive for excellence in their respective domains.

With these collective efforts, Singapore has achieved near-universal Secondary education. Today as it stands, less than 1% of each Primary 1 cohort does not complete Secondary education. A legislative extension of compulsory education is unlikely to be effective in reducing this any further. To prepare our youths for future challenges, MOE will continue to support our children in their education at every stage by providing a quality education and meeting their needs.