Jamus Lim Acknowledges Chan Chun Sing’s Concerns on WP’s Flexible School Program Proposal

Last month in Parliament, Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) proposed a “Flexible Through-Train Program for Schools.” This initiative aims to help students who struggle with the pressure of exams, allowing them to bypass the PSLE and take their first major exam at Secondary 4 instead of age 12.

On March 1, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing responded, noting that while the Ministry of Education (MOE) is not opposed to the idea, it presents substantial challenges for implementation.

On March 10, Assoc. Prof. Jamus Lim shared a video of Chan’s response on Facebook, leaving it to the public to decide if they find the Minister’s concerns convincing. Lim added that the obstacles raised do not preclude a trial run in a less “popular” school to evaluate whether the issues are significant. He also pointed out that having a high-stakes exam like the PSLE at age 12 is unusual worldwide, questioning whether this pressure is beneficial for students’ development.

Lim highlighted that children develop at different paces, with some excelling early while others, such as late bloomers, find their stride later. He questioned whether the PSLE builds a sense of accomplishment or becomes a stumbling block that damages self-confidence at such a young age. The Workers’ Party’s proposal, he said, would offer families more flexibility, particularly for children with test anxiety.

Lim is not the only MP advocating for alternative education models. PAP MP Denise Phua (Jalan Besar GRC) has also asked the MOE to explore the potential of through-train programs and other alternative pathways. Additionally, Progress Singapore Party Non-Constituency MP Hazel Poa has called for the removal of the PSLE to reduce student stress.