Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Mr Dennis Tan Lip Fong, Hougang
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) whether there are plans to allow students who have passed their GCE A-level examinations but fare poorly to retake the examinations as a school candidate instead of a private candidate; (b) whether one or more pre-University institutions can be designated as a school where such students can opt to study for and retake their GCE A-level examinations; and (c) whether the Edusave account can be expanded to fund the retaking of such national examinations.
Response
1. We do not encourage students who have passed their A-Level examination to retake the examination in schools. After passing the A-Level examination, the students would already have a range of options in tertiary education, such as to courses in Autonomous Universities, as well as in Polytechnics, where they can be granted module exemptions.
2. After entering the workforce, they also have opportunities to upskill and reskill through Continuing Education and Training programmes which are heavily subsidised.
3. If a student wishes to retake the A-Level examination as a private candidate and requires financial support, he or she can approach the Social Service Office or other community organisations to explore if assistance can be offered.