Latest news with #PrimarySchoolLeavingExamination
Straits Times
3 days ago
- General
- Straits Times
Benchmark barrier: Six of her homeschooled kids had to retake the PSLE
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Mr Heleston Chew (left), his wife Kng Mian Tze and their sons Ian (second from right) and Ethan (second from left). Ian, who is 15 and was homeschooled, sat the PSLE thrice. SINGAPORE – Six of Mrs Sue Ong's children have sat the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and all of them have had to retake it . The children, some of whom have learning difficulties, are now between 13 and 25 years old.
The Star
15-06-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Leaving ‘safe path': Junior College student who quit to study fashion now a cosplay influencer on TikTok
SINGAPORE: She was on a conventional path to success, having done well enough at the Primary School Leaving Examination to get into the six-year Integrated Programme (IP), and even gained entry into the Art Elective Programme to pursue her interest in art. But in her fifth year of the IP at National Junior College, Elise Lim decided to put it all aside – to go into fashion. She had taken an interest in cosplay in the fourth year, and tried her hand at making character wigs and props, and tailoring costumes. Also feeling demotivated from not doing as well as she had hoped in secondary school, she made a switch to pursue a course in fashion design and management at Temasek Polytechnic (TP), something she had dreamt of exploring since her younger days. Not everyone would have approved of her decision. 'It's not common for people to drop out of the IP, and a lot of parents could be worried that this is an unstable future, which is true, because the design and art field is unstable,' Elise said, adding that junior college (JC) is typically seen as the 'safe path' for students. Three years on, the 19-year-old, who is in her third year in polytechnic, has amassed more than 94,000 followers on TikTok, where she posts tutorials on how to make wigs, and other cosplay content. Her most viral video, where she cosplays the 2023 design of a virtual character named 'magical mirai miku' with a self-made wig, has more than 12.9 million views. On Instagram, she has a following of 12,200. She takes commission orders for wigs via her Instagram page on a first come, first served basis, and in between juggling schoolwork, she sends out blasts to her followers to say she is free to take up projects. The prices of her wigs range from US$100 (S$130) to US$700. She has made more than 30 character wigs and more than ten props, some of which are commissioned orders for international customers. 'I first started playing video games like Valorant and League Of Legends in secondary school, and afterwards I saw all these people online cosplaying these super-interesting-looking game characters,' she said. Realising how much commissioning good-quality cosplay wigs and props would cost, she decided to try making them on her own at the end of 2022. She did this by watching online tutorials, speaking to other cosplayers at conventions and looking for cheap supplies online. Her mother, who wanted to be known only as Mrs Lim, has been supportive of her decision to pursue an unconventional path. 'I'm proud of Elise and generally supportive of her love for crafting... My main concern is her frequent exposure to chemicals when making wigs, and I hope she takes care to protect herself,' said the 52-year-old, who did not want to reveal her occupation. Elise's father died when she was younger. She is an only child. When The Straits Times visited Elise's work studio in her attic in April, more than five bright blue wigs were displayed on her work table. Equipped with a sewing machine and other tools, the room was also filled with various props she has made over the years. These include a one-metre-long shark-inspired rocket launcher and machine gun based on the ones belonging to the Arcane character, Jinx. The Arcane series is a science-fantasy show based on the League Of Legends game. Some other works-in-progress include a crochet top for a small crafting online business she runs and a drill-curl hairstyle wig for a League Of Legends character, Gwen. Her costume accessories and props are made with materials including ethylene-vinyl acetate foam and recycled materials such as cardboard tubes from online shopping platforms like Taobao where supplies are cheaper. When she is in a rush, she buys her materials from Chinatown. Sitting on a stool, Elise showed ST how she makes a wig – starting with a pre-coloured base wig bought online and trimming the synthetic hair to the desired length, keeping any excess hair for future use. A base wig is an unstyled wig that can be easily cut, coloured and styled to match a character's specific hairstyle. Afterwards, she works on putting together an internal structure for the wig depending on the hairstyle needed. 'I first started styling my wigs on soft toys, and after that I realised I should invest in a mannequin head,' she recalled with a laugh. 'It's very time-consuming – you have to work slowly because the glue needs time to dry, but it's very easy to be impatient and want to move on to the next step,' she said, adding that the longest time she took to make a wig was 60 hours. 'This is skilled labour, so I had to practise and learn, and train. And the cost of living in Singapore is also high, so I think my price is quite justified,' she said. People often reach out to her asking if she can make specific props, but she has difficulty putting a reasonable price on some of them as she has spent up to 90 hours making some, she added. Her goal in the long term is to open an independent commissioning studio with one of her cosplay friends, Jade Tang, 21. 'We both get commission requests sometimes, so we think that if we continue to develop our skills, this is something we can do in the long run,' said Elise, who will graduate from polytechnic in a year. The polytechnic course curriculum aligns more with her interests, as she has more freedom to be creative and put her own personality into her works. 'It's more fruitful because the skills that I've learnt are more tangible. At the end of each module, you would have a very clear idea of what you gained from it,' Elise said. After graduating, she plans to take a gap year to enrol in short courses related to making clothes. She is also exploring studying costume design at an arts university in China, Belgium or Italy. 'I want to go to an art university, so if I stayed in JC, my focus would be split between academics and the arts, and I would have come out the other end with nothing good. I would have no good academics or a good portfolio, and also wasted two years, so I switched to TP.' Speak to teachers, parents and others in the field before making decisions – this is Elise's advice to young people wondering whether they should follow their dreams, including those out of the ordinary. 'If they are confident they can earn (money) and have done research in their field, then there's nothing wrong with doing something a bit more unconventional,' she said. - The Straits Times/ANN
The Star
01-06-2025
- Business
- The Star
Four Johor schools join global project
Onn Hafiz (left) at the smart classroom of SMK Tasek Utara, Johor Baru. — THOMAS YONG/The Star THE Bangsa Johor Pilot Schools (SRBJ) have made history as the first government institutions in Malaysia to be recognised as Apple Distinguished Schools. This global honour was previously reserved for fully residential institutions. Johor education and information committee chairman Aznan Tamin said the achievement marked a significant milestone in the state's vision to prepare students for a highly competitive, digital future. 'SRBJ now joins an exclusive group (outside of nine other schools in Malaysia, all of which are fully residential) to receive this international recognition from Apple,' he said. Aznan said 2,496 iPads would be distributed to 2,264 students and 213 teachers under the initiative, through a strategic collaboration between the Johor government, Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation, Apple Education and sponsor QSR Brands. He added 212 educators had been sent in phases to the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore for training in pedagogical innovation, STEM subjects and Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) standards – in preparation for a dual-curriculum model that included both national and international examinations. 'Johor's education system must evolve to meet global expectations and SRBJ is just the beginning,' he told reporters after a parents and teachers sharing session at SMK Tasek Utara in Johor Baru. Johor Mentri Besar Datuk Onn Hafiz Ghazi said the SRBJ initiative, which involved four pilot schools, was undergoing a transformation worth RM30mil, with RM6mil allocated by the state government and RM24mil pledged by corporate partners. He added that the initiative, inspired by Johor Regent Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, aimed at producing world-class students who could thrive in a digital, borderless world. 'The Regent does not want our children to be left behind. 'His vision is for Johor to produce the best students in the country, capable of competing globally,' he said in his speech at the event. The four SRBJ schools – SMK Tasek Utara, SK Tasek Utara, SMK Kota Puteri and SK Kota Puteri 4 – were chosen from more than 1,190 statewide. These schools have since been upgraded with smart classrooms, AI-integrated computer labs, modern canteens, teachers' lounges, amphitheatres, outdoor learning hubs and performance studios. 'We want every teacher to be comfortable and every student to thrive,' said Onn Hafiz. SRBJ students will also sit for international exams such as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE), alongside Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM), within the next two years. 'If they fail these exams, the SRBJ mission would have failed,' he said in calling for full cooperation from all stakeholders. All SRBJ students from Year 4 onwards, along with their teachers, will also receive tablets provided under Raja Zarith Sofiah Foundation's corporate social responsibility initiative. 'These are not for games. They are tools to expose our children to cutting-edge technology.' Onn Hafiz also said RM27bil in foreign direct investments recorded in the first quarter of 2025, reinforced Johor's need to cultivate top local talent. 'With high-paying job opportunities coming into Johor, we want our children to study, succeed and serve right here in Johor,' he said.
Straits Times
25-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
More than Grades – a new series by The Straits Times to spotlight remarkable youth
In 2025, The Straits Times took the step of deciding not to cover the routine releases of exam results. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG More than Grades – a new series by The Straits Times to spotlight remarkable youth SINGAPORE – For the longest time, The Straits Times has covered the release of every national examination's results. Like clockwork, the season of results coverage would kick in from November, starting with the Primary School Leaving Examination, followed by the N, O and A levels from December to February, and the International Baccalaureate somewhere in between. Some time back, when the Ministry of Education stopped revealing the top scorers along with their grades, the stories that started appearing in the media also began to change. No longer was it about straight-A students and overachievers – the focus shifted to those who were all-rounders across their studies and other extracurricular activities, as well as others who had faced insurmountable challenges at a young age and fought hard to do well in school. In 2025, ST went a step further by deciding not to cover the routine releases of exam results. Instead, the team of education reporters hopes to tell the stories of young people behind their academic grades and transcripts throughout the year and not only in the results season. We aim to do this with a new monthly series, More than Grades, starting on May 25, that will put the spotlight on a variety of youth, from teenagers who have chosen unconventional paths to chase their dreams to others who have succeeded despite great challenges. Our young today navigate conflicting messages. Despite efforts to ease the academic strain, the Singapore education system is still known to many to be intense and competitive, described as 'high-stakes' and a 'pressure cooker'. Youth mental health is in crisis – around one in three people aged 15 to 35 here has experienced severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, a nationwide survey by the Institute of Mental Health reported in September 2024. Top concerns include cyber bullying, self-esteem issues and the excessive use of social media. Other contributing factors often cited are an overly academic culture and parental expectations. Yet there are signs of change. There is a growing recognition, especially among younger generations of parents and children, that well-being deserves to be paid more attention, and that people with different aspirations can find contentment in different ideas of success. It will take more than good exam grades and getting into the 'right' schools for our children to navigate an increasingly uncertain era of rapid global and technological changes. Over the years the education system has undergone shifts and changes, from dialling back on the overemphasis on academic results to broadening the options and pathways available for students. The hope is that this shift will continue to redefine choices and the way success is pursued in Singapore. Our intention is not to say that grades do not matter and that achievements – academic or otherwise – should not be celebrated. They should, and each of our features will delve into the personal stories of these young people, shedding light on their obstacles, and the triumphs that may go unheralded. From featuring those juggling a full school timetable with caregiving responsibilities or trying to make ends meet, to others using their talents to start social initiatives or help people in need, this series hopes to broaden the understanding of success. Our message to students: You are worth more than your grades and report cards, and there are many other stories of grit, hope and joy that can inspire you. And to parents: There is no shortcut to listening to your children with care, empathy and thought. For as a mother of two young children, my wish is that they will find their own place in a society that will value them too. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Straits Times
06-05-2025
- General
- Straits Times
Application for direct school admission to secondary schools, JCs open from May 7
Students applying for DSA must still sit their respective national examinations. ST PHOTO: KUA CHEE SIONG Application for direct school admission to secondary schools, JCs open from May 7 SINGAPORE - Students who wish to apply for direct admission to secondary schools and junior colleges (JCs) may do so from May 7. Those who wish to apply for early admission to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) can start doing so from May 20. Applications for early admission to polytechnics start on June 2. The Ministry of Education (MOE) said on May 6 that the Direct School Admission (DSA) allows students to enter secondary schools and JCs based on their interests and aptitudes, beyond their performance at the national examinations. Students will be considered by the respective schools they have applied for. Schools can admit up to 20 per cent of their students through the DSA, said MOE. According to checks by The Straits Times, 142 secondary schools and 20 JCs will be participating in the DSA exercise. Students applying for DSA must still sit the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) or O-level examinations. If a DSA offer is made to them by the selected school, students have until the indicated deadline to accept the offer, which will be before the release of the national examination results. For students moving on to secondary school, they will be guaranteed a place in their selected school, provided they accept the offer and their PSLE result meets the minimum requirement for a posting group that the school admits students from. MOE posts students to secondary school through three posting groups: G1, G2 or G3 . G1 will roughly correspond to today's Normal (Technical) standard, G2 to Normal (Academic) standard, and G3 to Express standard. Similarly, those who applied to JCs will be guaranteed a spot provided that their O-level results meet the minimum requirements for admission. Once students accept a DSA offer, they will not be eligible to participate in the S1 posting exercise or Joint Admissions Exercise . They will also not be allowed to transfer to another school after obtaining their examination results. Primary school pupils and their parents may submit DSA applications via from 11am on May 7 to 3pm on June 3 . Applicants need to fill in only one online form , and can select up to three choices of school and talent area offered by the school. Applicants can indicate the same school up to two times in their application. Students applying for DSA to JCs can go to for more information, or visit the JCs' websites for the application period, procedures and selection criteria, as these vary between schools. Early admissions into ITE and polytechnics The Early Admissions Exercise (EAE) is applicable for those wanting to further their education in an ITE or polytechnic. Under the EAE, applicants are considered based on their aptitude and interest in a specific course, as well as relevant work experience for working adult applicants. Applicants may need to submit portfolios or undergo interviews and take aptitude tests as part of the selection process. Graduating secondary school students who would like to enter ITE can go to for more information on the application procedure and entry requirements for the courses they are interested in. Applications will open from May 20 to 26. Meanwhile, graduating O-Level students who would like to enter polytechnic can submit their EAE application from June 26 to July 2 , while final-year ITE students can submit their EAE application from June 12 to 18. Applicants can find more information on the application procedure and entry requirements at Those successful will be given an offer by the chosen ITE or polytechnic before receiving their final examination results. They must meet the Minimum Entry Requirements for the selected course in order for the offer to be confirmed. Those who accept a place via the EAE cannot participate in other ITE or polytechnic admission exercises. Working adults can also apply for EAE to enter ITE or a polytechnic. They must be Singapore citizens or permanent residents , and have at least two years of relevant work experience. EAE applications for working adults into ITE and polytechnic will open from May 20 to 26 and June 2 to 29 respectively. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
