In Singapore, our P6 pupils will no longer be streamed under Express, Normal Academic and Normal Technical courses this year.
Below are two videoclips about the new Subject-based Banding in Secondary School in 2024.
Video Source
Video Source
With this new Subject-based banding, pupils can have a combination of secondary subjects with G1, G2 and G3 based on their strengths.
Pupils who are better with certain subjects can be offered G3 Secondary Subjects. G3 subjects actually seem very much like the current Express subjects.
Pupils who are average with certain subjects can be offered G2 Secondary Subjects. G2 subjects seem very much like the current Normal Academic subjects.
As for the G1 subjects seem very much like the current Normal Technical subjects.
When comparing with the previous T-Score of PSLE to the current Total AL, I personally feel that it gives more chances for underachieving pupils to aim and achieve a better grade.
Old PSLE Scoring System
A* (91 to 100)
A (75 to 90)
B (60 to 74)
C (50 to 59)
D (35 to 49)
E (20 to 34)
U (Less than 20)
New PSLE Scoring System
AL1(90 and more)
AL2(85 to 89)
AL3(80 to 84)
AL4(75 to 79)
AL5(65 to 74)
AL6(45 to 64)
AL7(20 to 44)
AL8(Less than 20)
I personally feel that the AL6 with the range of 45 marks to 64 marks would be able to encourage those who are not passing the subject with a possible and achievable mark.
The old PSLE system only provided 7 bands(A* to U) and the new PSLE System provides 8 bands(AL1 to AL8).
There may be a perfect system to cater to every need but it is certainly a good attempt to provide an education system that caters to different learning needs.
Providing a less demanding syllabus for pupils with weaker foundation while stretching them for subjects that they are good at with a more demanding syllabus like the G3 Secondary Subjects.
Secondary education provides more customisation to individual pupil rather than the one-size fits all.
There would always be pros and cons regardless of how we change the way we refine any system so we should see the positive side of it.
Disclaimer: This is my personal reflection and I am not in any position to instruct anyone what they should do. I am not responsible for any action taken as a result of this post. My post can only be a reference for your further research and growth.