PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVING EXAMINATION AND GCE 'O' LEVEL EXAMINATION (Correlation study of performances)

Dr Ang Kok Peng asked the Minister for Home Affairs and Education whether any study has been made to see if there is any correlation between the performance of pupils at the PSLE and the subsequent performance at the GCE 'O' level examinations; when such a study was made; and what conclusion may be drawn from it.

Mr Chai Chong Yii (for the Minister for Home Affairs and Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, the Ministry of Education has recently conducted a stratified sample study of the performance of the 1972 PSLE candidates against their subsequent performance at the 1976 GCE 'O' level examinations. The study shows that there is a high positive correlation between the two sets of results; in other words, there is a close relationship between the performance of pupils at the PSLE and the GCE 'O' level examinations. However, things can happen to a pupil in the four years between the two examinations and they may affect his performance one way or another. Nevertheless, in view of the high positive correlation, the PSLE will continue to be used as a means for selecting pupils for secondary schools.

A summary (Cols. 119 - 120) of the report is with the Clerk of Parliament who will distribute it to Members for information. SUMMARY OF FINDINGS OF THE CORRELATION STUDY BETWEEN PRIMARY SCHOOL LEAVING EXAMINATIONS (1972) AND GENERAL CERTIFICATE OF EDUCATION ORDINARY LEVEL (GCE 'O') EXAMINATIONS (1976) (Cols. 119 - 120)

Dr Ang Kok Pong (Buona Vista): Mr Speaker, Sir, on a point of clarification. May I know what is the weighting formula used in arriving at the overall grading of the performance at the PSLE?

Mr Chai Chong Yii: Mr Speaker, Sir, I must admit that I am not quite sure of the formula used. I am not a statistician. But if the Member wants the exact information, I will ask the officer in charge to supply it to him.