STREAMING (Impact and effects)

Dr Tan Cheng Bock asked the Minister of Education whether his Ministry has looked into the psychological impact of streaming on pupils and parents and its long term effects on society.

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Sir, the Ministry of Education has taken great care in streaming pupils to the various streams in primary and secondary schools. The progress of pupils is closely monitored. The purpose of streaming, as has been repeatedly emphasized, is to enable each pupil to progress at a pace suited to his or her ability. As streaming has just been introduced, it is too early to speculate on its long-term effects on Singapore society.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock (Ayer Rajah): Mr Speaker, Sir, just a few supplementary questions. What were the experiences of other countries which have attempted streaming? Did they also stream the children in the same way? What were the results? Did they achieve their objective of streaming? If not, why?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Speaker, Sir, for me to attempt to give a complete answer to a general question like that would be to occupy the attention of the House for perhaps a whole year. However, I can say that the system of streaming which we have followed in our new education policy is, as far as we know, very similar to the system which is used in streaming pupils in the German education system and in those cantons in Switzerland which are German-speaking. As far as we know, the streaming has been successful and there have been no adverse effects on either children, their parents, or on German or Swiss societies.

Dr Tan Cheng Bock: Sir, can the Ministry assure me that they have taken steps to monitor the effects of streaming on children into special environments? Would not these highly intelligent children branch into special schools, where they play and study together, develop attitudes and prejudices peculiar to their group? Would they be able to relate to the other less academically endowed children?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Mr Speaker, Sir, I am not sure as to the exact point which the hon. Member is making. Can I ask him to rephrase his question?

Dr Tan Cheng Bock: If the Minister of Education were to group children of very high intellect into special schools where they only play and work together, could the Minister let me know whether they would be able to relate themselves to the less academically endowed children?

Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam: Sir, we do not group Singapore children of very high intellect into special schools. For example, in our streaming at the secondary school level, all the schools have at least two streams, for example, the Special and Express streams. I do not, therefore, see the danger, which the Member is referring to, existing in Singapore.