Relevance of iPSLE

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Education (a) what is (i) the number of examination centres and (ii) the number of students taking the iPSLE examination in 2010 and 2011 respectively; (b) whether iPSLE results are recognised by Singapore Secondary schools in the admission of international students; and (c) what are the future plans for exporting the iPSLE.

Mr Heng Swee Keat: The iPSLE was introduced in response to demands from schools in the region who wish to benchmark their students' performance against Singapore's Primary education standard. There are currently 15 iPSLE examination centres and the number of students who sit the iPSLE is small, at about 1,000 each year.

International students who have taken the iPSLE may also be considered for admission into our Secondary schools on a case-by-case basis, subject to their test performance and the availability of school vacancies.

Singaporeans who are returning from overseas can also sit the iPSLE to gain admission into schools in Singapore.

There are no current plans to expand the iPSLE.

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