Singapore’s Ministry of Education (MOE) plans to engage more extensively with the public on key pressure points in the school transition process, particularly the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), Direct School Admission (DSA), and school choice policies, officials said on September 29.

Second Minister for Education David Neo outlined these plans during remarks at the conclusion of the Institute of Policy Studies Forum on Parents and Schooling. He emphasized that the next phase of the ongoing Education Conversations will focus on easing competitive pressures as students move from primary to secondary education, a stage often marked by heightened anxiety for families.

The Education Conversations, launched in April and set to continue into 2027, serve as a platform for the MOE to collect public feedback on education policies. Three main themes—PSLE, DSA, and the overall strengthening of schools—have consistently emerged from these discussions.

Neo highlighted findings from a recent Institute of Policy Studies survey of 1,500 Singaporean and permanent resident parents with primary school-age children. The study revealed rising stress and anxiety among parents about their children’s academic futures and concerns about the long-term consequences of falling behind peers. While many parents desire a more holistic education emphasizing broader development over exam results, most still feel compelled to engage in intense competition to secure their children’s prospects.

“We are not against striving or lowering standards,” Neo said, stressing the distinction between healthy ambition and an “arms race” focused narrowly on academic marks. He acknowledged that removing major examinations does not eliminate pressure, as other forms of competition tend to surface in their place. The goal, he said, is ensuring that education competition does not overshadow vital qualities children need to thrive beyond academics.

Regarding the PSLE, Neo noted that the MOE has received diverse proposals, including eliminating the exam, postponing it, or making it optional. However, he cautioned that each option carries potential unintended consequences. For example, shifting away from PSLE-based secondary school placement could lead to increased reliance on balloting or proximity, which might either amplify uncertainty or reduce social diversity, respectively. A ‘through-train’ model linking primary schools directly to secondary schools could transfer intense competition to Primary 1 admissions and limit students’ school choices.

“These trade-offs are not reasons to avoid change, but they require careful consideration of both intended and unintended impacts,” Neo said.

The DSA system, which allows students to gain secondary school admission based on talents and achievements beyond exam scores, has also been identified as a factor contributing to pressure. Neo described the DSA as a “second front in the arms race” for some families, adding to the cumulative stress faced by students preparing simultaneously for the PSLE and school admission procedures.

MOE’s engagement will aim to develop a balanced education framework that reassures parents and provides students with space to grow holistically while maintaining rigorous standards. The ministry seeks input on how to adjust policies to reduce excessive competition without compromising educational quality or opportunities.