SINGAPORE: Associate Professor Jamus Lim, Workers’ Party MP for Sengkang GRC, expressed cautious optimism in response to the Minister of Education’s recent announcement of a review of the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme.
Lim had previously raised concerns in Parliament regarding the perceived abuse of the DSA system and the potential consequences for equitable access to secondary schools.
The DSA scheme, which allows Primary 6 students to secure early admission to secondary schools based on their strengths in areas such as sports, arts, and other non-academic talents, was originally designed to provide an alternative pathway for students, reducing the over-reliance on grades and academic performance.
Lim has been vocal about the system’s shortcomings, arguing that it has, at times, been “gamed” by certain stakeholders, particularly coaches with connections to schools, who might promise entry into prestigious institutions based on their influence rather than genuine merit.
In his previous parliamentary questions in February 2024, Lim highlighted feedback from parents who expressed concerns about the DSA’s integrity.
One such concern was that the scheme could inadvertently favour students from more privileged backgrounds, as access to training and professional coaching is often tied to socioeconomic status.
This, he argued, undermines the original purpose of the DSA—providing a more inclusive and diverse means of securing a secondary school place.
Lim highlights the significant impact of the DSA system
“At the time, Minister Chan’s response was suggested that he did not think that there was any systemic problem, and he seemed to believe that the example I raised was anecdotal in nature, and best addressed on a case-by-case basis, ” Lim recounted in a Facebook statement after the announcement of the review.
“Since that time, I’ve had other parents express to me that they, likewise, felt that the DSA system might have gone awry.”
He went on to stress that the DSA system is no small matter, as it impacts a significant portion of the student population.
“This is a nontrivial concern, since the route caters for as many as 1 in 5 students from every cohort,” Prof Lim remarked.
He expressed satisfaction that the Ministry had acknowledged these concerns by prioritising a comprehensive review of the scheme, a move he had long advocated for.
The review, which Minister Chan highlighted in a recent interview with The Straits Times published on 2 January, is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to enhance the DSA system’s transparency and accessibility.
The Ministry intends to ensure that the process remains objective and fair, focusing on the development of students rather than merely their performance at the time of selection.
It is also seeking to reduce “green harvesting”—a practice in which young talents are identified and selected too early, based on connections or preconceived notions of potential.
Lim calls for greater flexibility in education, highlighting diverse developmental paths for students
Prof Lim welcomed this move, but he cautioned that addressing issues such as green harvesting and bias is just one part of a broader conversation about flexibility in the education system.
While he acknowledged that some students excel under competitive pressures and high-stakes exams, he emphasised that many others are more likely to thrive in a less pressured environment.
“I am a strong believer that children blossom and reach their full potential at different ages, ” he said.
Lim added that while it is undeniable that some children can elevate their performance when faced with the competitive pressures of standardized tests, others, however, are more likely to thrive when given the space and freedom to explore their interests, Lim explained.
He argued that the rigid structures of the current system, which places such high importance on early academic performance, may not allow for the diverse developmental trajectories of all students.
10-year through-train route
To this end, Prof Lim reiterated the Workers’ Party’s long-standing position on education reform.
One of the key proposals put forward by the Workers’ Party is the introduction of a 10-year through-train route, which would allow students to progress from primary to secondary school without the need for an early separation based on academic performance.
This system would allow for greater exploration of subjects and interests, enabling students to build a more rounded skill set before facing high-stakes exams at a later age.
Currently, some schools already offer a through-train system for certain grades, but Assoc Prof Lim believes that expanding this option could help address many of the pressures that young students face today.
He pointed out that the current emphasis on grades and a high-stakes exam at the age of 12 may be counterproductive.
As the MOE prepares to roll out further details of its review of the DSA scheme in the second quarter of 2025, Lim hopes that the review will lead to a more flexible and inclusive education system, one that offers greater opportunities for all students, regardless of their background or the level of resources available to them.
The broader aim, he said, is to create a system that can accommodate the full range of student abilities and developmental paths, and in doing so, give every child the best chance to succeed.
In July last year, media reports revealed that a basketball coach in Singapore was under investigation for allegedly accepting bribes to secure secondary school placements through the DSA scheme.
The coach, Ling, was accused of leveraging his connections to help students gain entry into prestigious secondary schools under the DSA.
A whistleblower alleged that Mr Ling charged specific fees for these services, including S$50,000 for Anglo-Chinese Junior College (ACJC), S$45,000 for Dunman High School, and approximately S$30,000 for Hwa Chong Institution (HCI), which also required an in-person interview for admission.
MOE later confirmed that Mr Ling had been deregistered since April and was no longer employed by any MOE school.
Furthermore, Sport Singapore, the national sports statutory board, suspended his membership with the National Registry of Coaches.
