Changes Affecting Normal Course
Developments in the N(A) Course
Key changes
- From 2006, selected N(A) students may offer a maximum of any two GCE ‘O’ Level examination subjects at Secondary 4 from an expanded range of subjects (see table below), provided their schools offer these subjects. Schools will assess their students and identify those who qualify to offer these ‘O’ Level subjects.
- Schools may introduce elective modules together with post-secondary educational institutions or external agencies to develop N(A)) students’ interests and strengths in specific areas.
- Based on their school-based performance at the end of Secondary 2 or Secondary 3, schools may allow their top N(A) students to progress to Secondary 5 N(A)) without taking the ‘N’ Level examinations.
Why are we doing this?
- To give N(A) students more choices in the range of subjects they may offer, according to their interests and abilities.
- To provide a more seamless transition from the ‘N’ to the ‘O’ Level curriculum for top students so that they can better pace their learning over five years and take part in broader learning experiences.
‘O’ Level Subjects
- English Language
- Chinese / Malay / Tamil
- Higher Chinese / Higher Malay / Higher Tamil
- Mathematics
- Additional Mathematics
- Combined Sciences
- Combined Humanities
- Literature in English
- History
- Geography
- Chinese Literature
- Food & Nutrition
- Principles of Accounts
- Design & Technology
- Art & Design
- Music
- Chinese (Special Programme) / Malay (Special Programme)
Developments in the N(T) Course
Key changes
- N(T) students may offer N(A) subjects from 2006
- Selected N(T) students who are able to offer subjects at a higher level will be allowed to take one to two N(A) subjects from the full range of N(A) subjects.
- Schools assess students and offer N(A) subject(s) to those who qualify.
- Revised N(T) curriculum from 2007
- Will focus more on practice-oriented learning
- Teaching approaches could focus on group work, oral presentations, creativity and hands-on activities.
- Elective Modules (EMs)
- Aimed at enriching the curriculum for upper secondary N(T) students.
- 20- to 30-hour elective modules to develop N(T) students’ interests and strengths in specific areas.
- Schools may develop EMs together with post-secondary educational institutions or external agencies.
- Lateral transfers from N(T) course to N(A) course for top N(T) students
- Additional pathways for transfers to the N(A) course on a lateral basis, e.g. Secondary 2 N(T) to Secondary 2 N(A).
- Schools assess and offer a lateral transfer to the N(A) course for N(T) students who qualify.
- Current transfer from Secondary 1 N(T) to Secondary 2 N(A) will continue.
Background
The N(T) course serves the needs of students who are more technically inclined. It provides them with an opportunity to complete 10 years of basic education and prepares them for post-secondary education in ITE.
Why are we doing this?
- To provide our N(T) students with greater choice, to help them find their interests and develop their talents, and for those who are able to do so, the flexibility to advance their learning in that particular subject.
- To focus the N(T) curriculum more on practice-oriented learning, so as to better match N(T) students’ approaches to learning.
- To allow greater movement from N(T) to N(A) by opening up the possibility for lateral transfers between the courses.