MOE abolishes secondary school banding system and cuts awards

SINGAPORE: The Education Ministry has abolished the secondary school banding system, as part of efforts to ensure that "every school is a good school".

The banding system, which was introduced in 2004, categorises secondary schools into nine bands.

Band one consists of top schools, with a cut-off point of below 11 for the average aggregate grades in the GCE O' Level examination.

The Ministry of Education will also reduce the number of awards it gives out to schools.

It will also remove the Masterplan of Awards from 2014.

Instead, it will focus on recognising best practices in niche areas, such as teaching and learning, as well as students' all-round development.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat announced the changes at the ministry's annual Work Plan Seminar on Wednesday.