What is Subject-based Banding?

Subject-based Banding provides greater flexibility for your child by offering him the option of a combination of standard and foundation subjects, depending on his strengths. For example, if he excels in English and Mother Tongue but needs more support in Mathematics and Science, he may choose to take the first two subjects at the standard level and the others at the foundation level.

Such a choice will allow your child to focus on and stretch his potential in the subjects that he is strong in while building up the fundamentals in the subjects that he needs more support in.

HOW DOES SUBJECT-BASED BANDING WORK?

At Primary 4, Student sits for school-based examinations. School then recommends a subject combination based on the Student's results. Parents fillup an option form indicating the preferred combination.

At Primary 5, Student takes subject combination chosen by parents. English, Mathematics, Science and Mother Tongue Language are available at standard and foundation levels. Higher Mother Tongue Language is also available. School assesses student's ability to cope with the current subject combination at the end of the year. Adjustments to the number of standard and foundation subjects can be made, if necessary.

At Primary 6, Student takes subject combination decided by his/her school and sits for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) at the end of Primary 6.

To read more about why Subject Based Banding was introduced, or how Secondary School Admission is related to Subject based banding and the various choices available, visit this article at MOE website.