Dr Wong Hwei Ming Shares Her Perspectives on the Removal of Mid-Year Examinations

Dr Wong Hwei Ming, Senior Education Research Scientist from the Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, Office of Education Research, was featured on The HomeGround Asia’s (THG), in an article titled “Removing mid-year exams: Boon or bane?”.

During the interview, Dr Wong shared her views on the recent announcement about the removal of mid-year examinations in all primary and secondary schools in Singapore by 2023. She explained that conducting examinations is an effective and quantifiable way of assessing students’ performance. However, she highlighted that this method of assessment induces anxieties and may promote unnecessary competition and comparison. So, the removal of mid-year examinations is a small step to improving the overall mental health of students and it may give schools the space to promote collaboration among students.

Dr Wong also shared that examinations are not the only way to assess the students’ potential.  She told THG that many schools in Singapore are adopting other forms of assessments, such as Assessments for Learning (AfL). AfL is a method which requires teachers to conduct ongoing assessments on the students and provide students with personalised feedback to help improve learning. This method provides students with the opportunity to be the masters of their learning and learn 21st-century competencies and skills that are crucial for a student’s development.