Direct School Admission

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Sharael Taha, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) of the current students who have secured places through the Direct School Admission for Secondary Schools, what percentage of them come from lower-income households and are on financial assistance schemes; (b) whether the policy outcome has shifted from its intent of identifying talents to favouring students who can afford enrichment and preparatory programmes; (c) whether the policy now benefits those with access to costly training such as interview coaching; and (d) how can more opportunities be given to students from lower-income households.

Response

1. Direct School Admission, or DSA, provides students with an alternative pathway to progress to their preferred schools, including through non-academic talents such as sports and arts.

2. While some families are better able to support their children in developing their strengths and talents, MOE and our schools have taken active steps to support students from disadvantaged backgrounds to participate in the DSA. For example:

1. Our primary schools help these students uncover their strengths and interests, and support them through their DSA application.
2. MOE also runs the Junior Sports Academy, or JSA, for primary school students who show sporting potential. Selection is based on general motor ability, with no prior sports training needed. A good number of JSA participants go on to apply for DSA.
3. Our secondary schools take a holistic approach to DSA selection. In addition to demonstrated achievement, schools consider a student's interest, potential and personal qualities, including their drive and resilience.

3. For the last five years, about 6% of Singaporean students admitted via DSA to a secondary school were recipients of MOE's Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS) or the full Independent School Bursary. These are students whose monthly gross household income is $3,000 or less, or whose monthly per capita income is $750 or less. There are other lower-income students admitted via DSA who are recipients of school-based financial support such as school-based FAS and the UPLIFT Scholarship.

4. MOE is reviewing the DSA scheme across three aspects – Development, Selection and Accessibility:

1. Development. To ensure that schools focus on providing opportunities that add value to both their DSA and non-DSA students' development, whether in their school programmes, CCAs, or academic pursuits.
2. Selection. Notwithstanding the need for schools to weigh different considerations when assessing DSA applicants, we want to strengthen the DSA selection process so that it continues to be undergirded by principles of transparency, objectivity, inclusiveness, and student-centricity; and
3. Accessibility. To ensure that DSA remains accessible, and students from all backgrounds are recognised not just for their performance but also their potential in specific talent areas.

5. MOE will share more details in due course.