Students taking the 2024 Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) from Sep. 26 to Oct. 2 will not be penalised for being late due to train service disruptions. A spokesperson from the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) confirmed that candidates arriving before the end of the paper will be given the full duration to complete their exams. The spokesperson also mentioned that students have been briefed on existing arrangements for such situations.
Background
SEAB’s assurance follows a statement by Minister for Transport Chee Hong Tat on Sep. 25, indicating potential disruptions to normal train services along the East-West Line (EWL) on Sep. 26. Train services were disrupted from 9am on Sep. 25 after a first-generation Kawasaki Heavy Industries train developed a fault near Clementi station. Passengers were detrained at Clementi, and the train was withdrawn towards Ulu Pandan depot. During this process, a power trip at 9:25am caused trains between Queenstown and Boon Lay stations to stall. Chee mentioned that the Ministry of Transport (MOT) is coordinating with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and SEAB to prepare contingencies for PSLE students. He also stated that the Land Transport Authority (LTA) would conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause and identify areas for improvement.
Impact on students
The disruption has raised concerns among parents and students about the potential impact on the PSLE schedule. “We understand the anxiety this situation may cause,” said the SEAB spokesperson. “Rest assured, all necessary measures are in place to ensure that students are not disadvantaged.” The PSLE is a critical examination for primary school students in Singapore, determining their placement in secondary schools.
Measures in place
To mitigate the impact, SEAB has outlined several measures. Students who arrive late due to train disruptions will be allowed to sit for their exams without any penalties. Additionally, schools have been instructed to provide alternative arrangements for affected students. “We have briefed all examination centres on the procedures to follow in such scenarios,” the spokesperson added.
Previous disruptions
This is not the first time train disruptions have coincided with major examinations. In 2021, a similar incident occurred during the PSLE period, affecting several students. However, SEAB’s prompt response ensured that no student was penalised. The overall attendance rate for the 2021 PSLE written examinations was 99.5%, with about 430 students missing at least one paper due to COVID-19 related reasons.
Future implications
The ongoing investigation by LTA aims to prevent future occurrences. “We are committed to improving our train services and ensuring reliability,” said Chee. The findings from the investigation will be used to enhance the current systems and protocols. Meanwhile, SEAB and MOE will continue to monitor the situation closely and provide updates as necessary.
Related developments
The PSLE, an annual national examination, has been a cornerstone of Singapore’s education system since the 1960s. It serves as a placement exercise for students at the end of their primary school education. In recent years, the examination has seen various updates to its format and regulations to better align with educational goals. The international version, known as the iPSLE, allows overseas schools to benchmark their academic standards against Singapore’s.
