Students may soon be able to apply themselves to new subjects such as drama, mobile robotics or retail operations at the O or N levels.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) is introducing seven new subjects in more than 60 secondary schools over the next two years, to reach out to more students who prefer hands-on learning to the purely academic track.
O-level electronics and computing start next year, along with three Normal (Technical) subjects – smart electrical technology, mobile robotics and retail operations.
In 2018, two more O-level subjects – drama, as well as exercise and sports science – will be offered.
An MOE spokesman said these subjects allow students to have “more extensive applied learning and be exposed to applied learning options in the post-secondary education institutions”.
She said the ministry worked with industry partners as well as the polytechnics, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and universities to ensure that the new syllabus is “relevant and engaging”.
“The subjects feature opportunities for practical application of knowledge,” she added.
MOE teachers are undergoing training to teach the new subjects.
Meanwhile, most of the existing applied subjects introduced in 2008, will be phased out by next year.
These are mainly taught by polytechnic lecturers who also develop their curricula.
There are currently six of them, which are offered only at the O levels: fundamentals of electronics, biotechnology, design studies, introduction to enterprise development and media studies in both English and Chinese.
On average, a total of 310 students took these subjects each year in the last five years.
Only biotechnology and design studies will still be offered at the Singapore School of Science and Technology after next year.
Teachers welcome the new subjects, noting that more students can take such applied subjects in future as schools train teachers and build up their learning resources.
This is also in line with a greater push to allow students to hone their own interests beyond the traditional academic disciplines.
For instance, Hong Kah Secondary will offer electronics to 20 students from next year and hopes to cater to more in future.
“We hope to catch students’ attention in electronics at a younger age and hopefully they will be more receptive to a career in this field,” said physics teacher Wee Jin Yi, who will teach the new subject.
ateng@sph.com.sg
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