Participating in a Co-Curricular Activity (CCA) is mandatory at the primary and secondary levels, meaning that all pupils must participate in at least one activity. CCAs offered at the secondary level are usually categorised as Uniformed Groups, Performing Arts, Clubs & Societies and Sports & Games Competitions. There are many CCAs offered at the secondary school level. Students may choose to participate in more than 1 CCA.
Participation in CCAs is graded together with other non-academic achievements throughout a student's secondary school education in a scoring system similar to LEAPS 2.0 (LEAPS 2.0 is about leadership, achievement, participation and service). Points accumulated in the areas of leadership, enrichment, achievement, participation and service will determine a student's CCA grade.
Integrated Programme, is a scheme which allows the most able secondary students to proceed after "O" levels and take "A" levels, and attain an International Baccalaureate or an equivalent examination directly after six years of secondary education.
Integrated Programme, is a scheme which allows the most able secondary students to proceed after "O" levels and take "A" levels, and attain an International Baccalaureate or an equivalent examination directly after six years of secondary education.
The programme allows for more time to be allocated to enrichment activities. By proceeding beyond GCE "O" level examinations, students are given more time and flexibility to immerse themselves in a more broadly-based education. The main body of the students pursue their secondary education at their own pace by first completing a 4-year "O" level course before going on to a 2-year "A" level education.
The Integrated Programme with the revised -Cambridge GCE "A" levels or the IB Diploma as a terminal qualification has become an increasingly popular alternative to the standard secondary education pathway. This is because it is perceived as having moved away from the usually heavy emphasis on the sciences, a phenomenon resulting from the post-independence need for quick and basic technical and industrial education; to subjects in the arts and humanities. Such programmes are more project-based and students are expected to be independent learners.
Meritocracy is a fundamental ideology and a fundamental principle in the education system which aims to identify and groom bright young students for positions of leadership. The system places a great emphasis on academic performance in grading students and granting their admission to special programmes and universities, though this has raised concerns about breeding elitism.[82] Academic grades are considered as objective measures of the students' ability and effort, irrespective of their social background.[83] Having good academic credentials is seen as the most important factor for the students' career prospects in the job market, and their future economic status.[84]
The Leaders system continuously assesses the student in order to identify their academic and vocational strength and give them the option to choose a skill tey would like to graduated with in high school. This will also assist them in choosing post secondary or post A-level college or university to enrol in.
The vocational drive is to turn the country from a low skill labour driven market to a high skilled labour and academic one.
Leaders focuses on teaching the students specific problem solving skills and subjects. The classroom is highly scripted and the curriculum is focused on teaching students practical skills that will help them solve problems in the