Singapore students rank top in maths, science and reading in OECD … – The Straits Times

Dr Andreas Schleicher, director for education and skills and special adviser on education policy to OECD’s secretary-general, praised Singapore for continuing to lead the global league tables in Pisa.

“It has been one of the few countries that saw no negative effects on learning outcomes during the pandemic,” he said, adding that there are many factors at play, including the consistent and high expectations on students and an instructional system that provides rigour in terms of cognitive demand and focus.

He said another factor is the push to teach fewer things in greater depth, and coherence – in terms of modelling learning progressions carefully, for example, in Singapore mathematics.

Noting some areas of concern, he said: “Social disparities in learning outcomes remain clearly visible in Singapore. Also, in terms of students’ sense of belonging, Singapore is more an average rather than a high performer.

“Not least, we have seen a decline in parental support and engagement in Singapore, an area in which Singapore used to be strong.”

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