Background
According to MOE’s Full subject banding timeline, 2024 is the Year when ALL Secondary schools will embrace Full Subject based banding. and by that two things will happen:-
1, Students will no longer group in classes based on streams aka no more streaming of students so there will no be any Express, Normal students. All students will have their Form class mixed with everyone doing different levels of subjects called G1 (normal technical), G2 (normal Academic) and G3 (Express) subjects. IN another words, Classes will be mixed and everyone go for their different schedules in schools. So every students studies within their pace.
2, For students with exceptional abilities, they can study Subjects that are more demanding, for example G1 English student could take G2 English etc. This is based on each students’ AL score and results. The other way is possible too when students can take on less demanding subjects levels.
Next students in mixed classes will take 1/3 of their time doing the set of common subjects.
Secondary 1 cohort curriculum policy changes in 2024
in short, No more Chinese B! you cannot handle G2 Chinese, do G1 Chinese.
| Subject | Details |
|---|---|
| Mother Tongue Languages (MTL) – replacement of MTL ‘B’ with G1 or G2 MTL | Students who face exceptional difficulties coping with learning MTL will have the option to offer G1 or G2 MTL. With the greater flexibility afforded by the MTL offerings at G1, G2, and G3, MTL ‘B’ will be discontinued in secondary schools starting from the Secondary 1 cohort in 2024. |
| Social Studies Normal (Technical) [SS(NT)] – replacement of SS(NT) with G1 Humanities | Students will be able to offer G1 Humanities as a non-examinable subject at the lower secondary levels, in lieu of the current SS(NT).At lower secondary, G1 Humanities will comprise Social Studies and Humanities Exposure Modules (HEM) in Geography, History, and Literature in English to give students the opportunity to gain exposure to the different Humanities disciplines.Students offering G2 and G3 Humanities at lower secondary will continue with the existing offerings of Geography, History and Literature in English. |
| Computer Applications (CPA) – discontinued with teaching of digital competencies incorporated into other subjects and programmes | Lower secondary CPA, which is currently only available for students taking the N(T) stream, will be discontinued. Teaching of digital competencies will be incorporated into other su |
Then, Students have the flexibility to take elective subjects, such as Additional Mathematics, Art, and Design & Technology, at subject levels suited to their interests and strengths.
ApLM replaces AEM(Applied Elective Modules)
2023, ApLM are elective modules in applied areas, conducted by the Polytechnics, ITE and private vendors. Starting from the 2023 Secondary Two to Secondary Five cohorts, all students will be allowed to particate in these modules and each student is allowed to participate in up to 3 ApLM throughout their secondary education.
ApLM replaces Applied Elective Modules (AEM) by the Polytechnics for students taking the Express and N(A) streams, and the Elective Modules (EM) by the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and private vendors for students taking the N(A) and N(T) streams.
School Examinations (New format for Chinese Language) in 2024
According to SEAB 2024 new examination format for Chinese G3, There will be a new “词语替代” item, essentially a “write the right words for the wrong words” item which is not easy for a lot of students who often misspelled words.
G2 Chinese Language Did not introduce new format so good for the G2 students.
Chinese B (2024) will introduce e-Composition aka write Chinese composition on a laptop. (The laptop is NOT connected to internet and does not have autocorrection or dictionary etc.
Chinese B marks will be as follows
1, E-composition 20
2, Comprehension 30
3, Oral 30
4, Listening Comprehension 20
Total 100
Conclusion
2024 is a year of changes for students, new secondary one students and G1 Chinese students.