Enriching the Secondary School Curriculum: New Applied Subjects at 'O' Level

Home > Media Centre > Press Releases

25 October 2007

Enriching the Secondary School Curriculum:
New Applied Subjects at ‘O’ Level

1. From Jan 2008, eight secondary schools will partner the polytechnics to offer to their Express and Normal (Academic) students, three new ‘O’ level subjects in applied disciplines: Creative 3D Animation, Fundamentals of Electronics and Introduction to Enterprise Development. These new Applied Subjects will be reflected in the students’ GCE ‘O’ level Examination Certificates and be recognised for admission into Junior Colleges and Polytechnics.

KEY FEATURES OF NEW ‘O’ LEVEL APPLIED SUBJECTS

2. The new Applied Subjects will enhance our existing curriculum offerings. Students can choose to pursue their interests in applied areas of learning. Express and Normal (Academic) students in the eight selected schools can offer the Applied Subjects in addition to the core subjects[1]. The key features of the Applied Subjects are:

a. Rigorous Coursework: Applied Subjects will be similar to existing GCE ‘O’ level subjects in rigour and scope and comprise at least 120 hours of instruction time, conducted over the upper secondary years. The Applied Subjects will be co-conducted by polytechnic lecturers and secondary school teachers either at participating schools or at the polytechnics, depending on the facilities required.

b. Strong Emphasis on Experiential Learning: Applied Subjects will be delivered using a variety of teaching methods, with greater emphasis on practice-based learning, e.g. laboratory sessions, project-based work and group work.

c. Practice-oriented Assessment Framework: Assessment modes for the Applied Subjects are similar to those adopted in polytechnics and will comprise two components. In addition to a written examination, another important component is coursework or project work, which may include oral presentations, project reports or assignments.

d. Recognition of Applied Subjects: Students may include their grades in Applied Subjects in the computation of the L1R5 score[2] as one of the elective subjects, or in the ELR2B2 score[3] as one of the elective subjects. These new Applied Subjects will be reflected in the students’ GCE ‘O’ level Examination Certificates and be recognised for admission into Junior Colleges and Polytechnics.

e. Credit Exemption in Polytechnic: Applied Subjects that are relevant to the student’s subsequent course of study in the polytechnic may be considered for credit exemption in the polytechnics. The exemption will depend on the relevance of the Applied Subject to the polytechnic module, and will be decided by the polytechnics.

3. Table 1 lists the schools and the Applied Subjects that they will be offering. A synopsis of the three Applied Subjects is provided at Annex A. The schools will offer the applied subjects to their 2008 cohort of Sec 3 Express students, Sec 3 Normal (Academic) and Sec 4 Normal (Academic) students. The schools will have the flexibility to select the students to offer the Applied Subjects, based on students’ interest and aptitude.

Table 1: Schools Offering Applied Subjects from Jan 2008

Applied Subjects	Secondary Schools	Partner Polytechnics
Creative 3D Animation	Dunman Secondary Pasir Ris Secondary Temasek Secondary	Temasek Polytechnic
Fundamentals of Electronics	Hong Kah Secondary St Andrew’s Secondary Tanglin Secondary	Ngee Ann Polytechnic
Introduction to Enterprise Development	Fairfield Methodist Secondary Outram Secondary	Singapore Polytechnic

4. Over time, as schools and polytechnics gain more experience in offering Applied Subjects, we expect more secondary schools to work with the polytechnics to offer Applied Subjects to their students. This will allow more students to benefit from being exposed to applied learning options in their secondary school years.

BACKGROUND

5. In March 2006, the Polytechnic School Review Committee chaired by Minister of State for Education and Manpower, Mr Gan Kim Yong, recommended the introduction of Advanced Elective Modules, Applied Subjects and the Direct Polytechnic Admission Exercise, to cater more fully to the interests and aspirations of students who are keen to progress along an applied and practice-oriented path of education. The report of the Committee can be found at http://www.moe.gov.sg/corporate/pdf/psrc-report.pdf.

Annex A

Applied Subjects to be Offered from 2008

Applied Subject	Partner Polytechnics	Synopsis
Creative 3D Animation	Temasek Engineering School	Creative 3D Animation provides students with the fundamental knowledge and technical capability to create a 3D animation production. Students will undergo the whole production development cycle experience, from preproduction to production and postproduction.
Fundamentals of Electronics	Ngee Ann Polytechnic, School of Engineering	Fundamentals of Electronics seeks to unveil the mysteries of day-to-day electronics by introducing students to electronic circuit theories, device operating principles and applications of techniques of electronics in circuit design. Students will have ample hands-on opportunities to construct electronic circuits and build a variety of projects.
Introduction to Enterprise Development	Singapore Polytechnic, School of Business	Introduction to Enterprise Development (IED) aims to provide students with the basic knowledge of planning and organizing a business, by helping students apply concepts in marketing and finance to develop a sound business plan. Students will also learn to effectively conduct business both in and outside Singapore.

_____________________________________

[1] The core subjects are English Language, the Mother Tongue Language (MTL), Mathematics, Combined Humaniities and a Science subject, which will build a strong foundation of core knowledge and skills in our students.

[2] L1R5 refers to the aggregate score of a first language (English or Higher Mother Tongue Language) and five relevant subjects. The five relevant subjects must include at least one humanities subject.

[3] ELR2B2 refers to the net aggregate O-level score (i.e. inclusive of bonus pts) based on English Language, 2 relevant subjects and best 2 other subjects, excluding CCA.