Breakdown of Withdrawal Rates of Third Language Students for Past Five years by Year of Study and Language, and Commonly Cited Reasons

Ms Eileen Chong Pei Shan asked the Minister for Education for Third Language students, in the past five years (a) what is the withdrawal rate by (i) year of study and (ii) language; and (b) what are the top five most commonly cited reasons for withdrawal.

Mr Desmond Lee: The total number of students studying a third language at secondary and pre-university level has grown over the years, rising from around 6,300 in 2023 to around 7,000 students in 2026. For each Secondary 1 cohort, about 30% of Third Language students would complete the course and sit for the GCE "O" Level examination.

Common reasons cited by students for withdrawing from Third Languages include difficulty coping with the additional subject alongside other subjects and co-curricular activities in school, scheduling conflicts with other commitments, and loss of interest.