6th March 2023
Secondary schools in Singapore are rapidly gearing up for full subject-based banding. With full SBB in secondary schools, students will have greater flexibility to study more subjects at different levels that suit their interests, aptitudes and learning needs. Students can better leverage their strengths and enjoy learning at a pace suited to their needs.
Starting with the 2024 Secondary 1 cohort, the Ministry of Education will post Primary 6 pupils to secondary schools in three posting groups – 1, 2 and 3 – mapped to the Primary School Leaving Examination score ranges for Normal (Technical), Normal (Academic) and Express courses, respectively. This is meant to ensure that schools admit students with diverse strengths, and students continue to have access to a wide range of schools.
Under full SBB, eligible students will have the flexibility to take certain subjects at a more demanding level. At the end of secondary school, students will receive a common certificate, the Singapore-Cambridge Secondary Education Certificate (SEC), which reflects their different subject combinations and levels. From 2027, the SEC will replace the separate Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education, for O and N levels.