“Learning is not a competition,” says Singapore’s Education Minister; does away with exam rankings

Singapore’s Minister of Education Ong Ye Kung feels that young children shouldn’t see learning as a competition, but as a form of self-discipline. This is why Ong has decided to abolish exam rankings and instead focus on a child’s own level of achievement, apart from that of his or her peers.

Under the new system introduced by the minister, pupils will be graded according to broad achievement bands. Report cards/books will not longer include a student’s position in relation to the class, failing marks, and subject grades.

In an address to some 1,700 school leaders this week, Ong said: “I know that coming in first or second, in class or level, has traditionally been a proud recognition of a student’s achievement. But removing these indicators is for a good reason, so that the child understands from young that learning is not a competition, but a self-discipline they need to master for life.”

The Minister of Education said that teachers will continue to gather information about pupils’ learning through discussions, homework and quizzes.

Read more here: https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3412/Singapore-Abolishes-School-Exam-Rankings-Says-Learning-Is-Not-A-Competition