TEACHER-TO-STUDENT RATIO IN SCHOOLS

The following Question stood in the name of Mr Noris Ong Chin Guan -

Mr Noris Ong Chin Guan: To ask the Minister for Education, in view of the prevalence of and growing demand for private tuition in Singapore, whether his Ministry will consider (i) improving the teacher-to-student ratio in our schools, and (ii) extending the current amount of teaching time in our schools so that students can receive more attention and coaching from their teachers.

Mr Goh Chong Chia: Question No. 13, Sir.

Dr Aline Wong (for the Minister for Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, demand for tuition in Singapore is driven by a number of factors, the most significant being the aspirations parents have for their children. Parents often want to give their children more than what schools provide. However, as parents, we should be mindful of the impact that our expectations have on our children's learning experiences and stress levels.

Mr Ong suggested that we should consider raising the teacher-to-student ratio and the amount of teaching time in our schools so that students can receive more coaching from their teachers. It is not more time in school that our students need. The Third International Mathematics and Science Study (TIMSS) 1999 found that the total time Singapore students spend in school yearly is close to the international average.

Our schools currently provide adequate time and attention to pupils to learn their academic subjects fully. Teachers give remedial classes to those who need help with their school work. At the primary level, the Learning Support Programme (LSP) and the Encouraging Achievement and Better Learning (ENABLE) Programme give additional support to pupils who are identified to be weak in language and numeracy skills, or are underachieving.

On past occasions, we have received calls from some Members of this House that schools should in fact do less, and avoid overloading the students. We have cut back curriculum, wherever possible, to provide students and teachers with time for a more well-rounded education. Curriculum content was reduced by 10-30% in 1999, and more emphasis given to the development of critical and creative thinking skills. At the same time, we reinforced the importance of co-curricular activities to develop core skills and values among our pupils.

Our schools therefore offer a holistic and broad-based development of the individual. There are parents who still wish to supplement this with tuition. This is a choice for parents to make. Parents will have to judge whether their children are overburdened and ensure that their workload is manageable.