Effectiveness of Learning Support Programme and Learning Support for Mathematics and Strengthening Community Partnerships Beyond Schools

Mr David Hoe asked the Minister for Education (a) how many and what proportion of pupils in the Learning Support Programme and Learning Support for Mathematics attain the relevant foundational literacy or numeracy benchmarks by the end of Primary 2; (b) whether outcomes differ by socio-economic background; and (c) what effective approaches can be reinforced through partnerships with community organisations outside school.

Mr Desmond Lee: In the last three years, about one in 10 Primary 1 students were offered the Learning Support Programme or Learning Support for Mathematics (LSM) programme, or both. Students who do not achieve the benchmarks by end of Primary 2 continue to be supported. For example, the LSM programme has been extended to P3 and P4 since 2023 to help more students achieve the required benchmarks.

About half of the students in the support programmes achieved the benchmarks by the end of Primary 2. For those from lower socio-economic backgrounds, it is about two in five.

Schools and school-based student care centres (SCCs) also work with community partners to provide additional support and enrichment. For example, Big Heart SCCs collaborate with the National Arts Council, National Library Board and Youth Corps Singapore to provide free learning support and enrichment for disadvantaged students. Self-Help Groups also offer community- and school-based academic support through the Collaborative Tuition Programme and homework supervision, while university volunteers provide mentoring, academic coaching and enrichment activities.