Correlation between PSLE results and socio-economic status

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang, Nee Soon GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether the correlation between PSLE results and socio-economic status has strengthened or weakened in the past three years; and (b) what further plans does the Ministry have to reduce this correlation.

Response

1. The correlation between PSLE results and socio-economic status (SES) has remained stable over the past three years.
2. MOE is committed to ensuring that our education system provides opportunities for all students to develop to their full potential, regardless of their backgrounds. Our lower-SES students have done well by international standards. Based on the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD)’s Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022, our students from the bottom-25% SES outperformed the average OECD student in all core domains of Reading, Mathematics, and Science, and in Creative Thinking.
3. We will continue with the following efforts to uplift our lower-SES students:
4. First, we will continue to build a strong foundation in the early years, both in preschool and at home. We have significantly enhanced the accessibility, affordability and quality of preschools, particularly through government-supported operators. Targeted programmes such as KidSTART equips parents from eligible lower-income families with the skills and knowledge to support their child’s development.
5. Second, MOE will continue to provide additional support to students with higher educational needs through programmes during or after school, both in academic and social-emotional development. For example, primary schools provide targeted academic intervention for students who need more support to strengthen their foundational skills in literacy and numeracy. This includes the Learning Support Programme, Reading Remediation Programme, and Learning Support for Mathematics. Schools also run programmes to strengthen students’ social and emotional skills, such as goal-orientation, growth mindset and motivation.
6. Third, we will continue to enhance wraparound support for disadvantaged students.
   1. We work closely with community partners to provide targeted programmes such as interest-based activities to impart good values, life skills, and habits.
   2. We also provide schools with additional manpower, guidance and teaching resources via UPLIFT Enhanced School Resourcing (UESR). Having observed improvements in students' attendance, behaviour and progression, we have doubled the number of primary schools receiving these additional resources over the past two years.
7. Addressing social mobility requires a whole-of-society effort. While MOE will continue to work closely with the community and stakeholders in this endeavour, we call on all Singaporeans to share your resources and networks, recognise a diversity of skills and talents, and do your part to uplift those who are less endowed.