The Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore held its first public session on education policies on June 27, 2026, led by Education Minister Desmond Lee [1, 2, 3]. This was part of a wider series of public conversations that began in April 2026 to collect feedback from citizens about the school system and possible reforms [1, 2, 3].
The discussions aim to address key topics, including moderating the stakes of examinations such as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), which is currently used for Secondary 1 posting decisions [1, 2, 3]. The MOE also plans to review the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme and strengthen Character and Citizenship Education (CCE) alongside co-curricular activities (CCAs) to better nurture values and life skills in students [1, 2, 3].
Since April, Minister Lee has engaged in candid conversations with parents, educators, and youth, noting concerns about the high stress levels tied to PSLE and DSA preparations. He also highlighted hopes raised for a curriculum that focuses more on real-world skills and resilience to help children grow more holistically [1, 2, 3]. “Looking ahead, the world our children will inherit will be very different from ours. We must do more to move away from seeing education as an arms race, shift beyond an overly narrow focus on academic grades, and enable our children to develop more holistically,” Lee said [1].
To widen accessibility, a separate review of the Primary 1 registration system is underway to help children from diverse backgrounds gain better access to schools [1, 2, 3]. The MOE will continue the public consultations throughout 2026 and into 2027, offering participation both in person and via an online microsite available in English and vernacular languages [1, 2, 3].
Minister Lee added that the Education Conversations build on earlier efforts by bringing together people who care deeply about children to shape a stronger education system. He assured that officials will “keep an open mind and listen widely, because no one has a monopoly on good ideas.” [1]
The next public sessions are scheduled in the months ahead as the Ministry gathers ongoing input from Singaporeans on education policy direction [1, 2, 3].
