Singapore’s Education Minister Chan Chun Sing announced new opportunities for secondary school students to take up Higher Mother Tongue Languages (HMTL) starting from 2026. Speaking at the 13th Mother Tongue Languages Symposium (MTLS) on 14 September, Chan revealed that students will only need to excel in their mother tongue in the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) to qualify for HMTL at Secondary One. Additionally, the Ministry of Education (MOE) will introduce a structured mother tongue reading programme in primary schools and a pilot initiative to foster interest in mother tongues among preschool children.
Background
These announcements follow statements made by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during the 2024 National Day Rally. The changes aim to make the learning of mother tongue languages more accessible and engaging for students, reflecting the government’s commitment to bilingualism as a cornerstone of Singapore’s education system.
“As high a level as possible”
From 2026, students will need to achieve AL1 or AL2 in their mother tongue at PSLE or a distinction/merit in HMTL to take HMTL in secondary school. Currently, eligibility for HMTL is tied to a student’s overall PSLE score, requiring an overall score of eight or above, or between 9 and 14 with a PSLE MTL score of AL1/AL2, or a distinction/merit in HMTL. Chan emphasised, “All of us have different strengths and talents. Some students may be strong in languages but not in other subjects. We will support more of the students to take higher mother tongue, so they can learn their MTL to as high a level as possible.”
Bilingualism, and programmes to encourage it
Chan highlighted the importance of bilingualism in Singapore’s education system, stating, “As a nation comprising various ethnic and language communities, bilingualism is a cornerstone of our education system and continues to stand as a fundamental pillar of our national identity.” He added that upholding bilingualism will “strengthen our social fabric.”
Reading programme
The first initiative, MTL SOAR, will be introduced in primary schools from 2025. Primary One and Two students will have 30 minutes of their MTL curriculum time dedicated to reading and library activities. The programme will be progressively rolled out to all levels by 2029, using age-appropriate supplementary readers from the 2024 primary MTL curriculum. Schools will receive resources such as reading passports and guides for teachers, students, and parents, along with recommended reading lists curated by the National Library Board.
Pilot programme
The second initiative is a pilot programme to increase MTL exposure in MOE kindergartens (MK). Starting with the 2025 K1 cohort, the pilot will be conducted at MK@Hougang and MK@Elias Park, increasing MTL exposure by 30 minutes a day. This will raise the daily MTL curriculum time from one hour to one and a half hours, providing more opportunities for children to learn and use their mother tongue with teachers and peers. The pilot programme will eventually be expanded to include more MOE kindergartens.
Different universes
The symposium also honoured 14 preschool teachers as outstanding preschool mother tongue language teachers, recognising their contributions to making the learning of mother tongue engaging and nurturing a love for it in preschool children. Chan praised bilingualism, stating, “It allows us to access different universes with culture, customs, and nuances. In the process, we learn to appreciate diversity and integrate different perspectives.”
Related story
From 2026, pupils who excel in their mother tongue at the PSLE will be able to take Higher Mother Tongue Languages (HMTLs) in Secondary 1, regardless of their overall PSLE score. This change aims to provide more students with the opportunity to pursue higher levels of mother tongue education, reflecting the government’s commitment to fostering bilingualism and cultural appreciation.
