Primary School Education (Singapore)

~Primary School Education ~

Primary education, normally starting at age seven, is a four-year foundation stage (Primary 1 to 4) and a two-year orientation stage (Primary 5 to 6)

Foundation stage

The foundation stage is the first stage of primary school. The four years from Primary 1 to 4 will provide a foundation in English, Mother Tongue (Chinese, Malay, Tamil) and Mathematics. Other subjects include Civics and Moral Education, Arts & Crafts, Music, Health Education, Social Studies, and Physical Education, which are taught throughout Primary 1 to 6. Science will be taught from Primary 3 onwards.

Orientation stage

All pupils advance to the orientation stage after Primary 4, where English, Mother Tongue and Maths are taught at the appropriate level according to the pupil's ability. Schools have the flexibility to develop their own examinations to match the pupils with the levels that suit them. They are streamed according to subject. Pupils can take their Mother Tongue, Science and Maths at the higher, standard or foundation levels.

Primary School Leaving Examination

At the end of Primary 6, the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is held. The examination determines if the student is ready to leave primary school by passing. The places in Secondary schools are allocated according to students' performance in the examination.