MOE to explore smaller classes where needed for more students in pilot with six schools

The Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) plans to introduce smaller class sizes in a pilot program at six schools starting in January 2027, according to Education Minister Desmond Lee. Lee emphasized that smaller classes could enable teachers to provide more attention and timely feedback to students. However, this initiative would be part of a broader redesign of teaching and learning, including reviewing teachers' other duties and utilizing technology to support their work, he explained during a seminar attended by 1,900 school leaders and teachers.

The pilot schools include St Anthony’s Canossian, Woodgrove and Zhangde primary schools, as well as Commonwealth, Deyi and Jurongville secondary schools. MOE will evaluate whether these changes enhance learning outcomes and allow teachers to effectively nurture students in a sustainable manner. Lee clarified that smaller classes do not imply less work, as teachers may have to take on additional teaching responsibilities, similar to practices in other countries.

He also noted that simply hiring more teachers might not be a viable solution due to limited workforce capacity. Instead, MOE aims to create the necessary capacity and conditions for teachers to handle more classes through reviewing their duties and introducing tools like technology. To streamline teachers' daily tasks, MOE will launch an online platform called Teacher Workspace for all MOE schools by 2027, following a pilot in around 20 schools.

This platform will consolidate student information, tools, and daily work processes into a single login, enabling teachers to build a comprehensive understanding of each student, coordinate support, and communicate with parents and partners. Additionally, MOE will progressively introduce more AI functionalities to assist teachers in planning lessons, understanding student learning patterns, and generating administrative reports.

In the context of class sizes, MOE aims to explore where smaller groups can best support teaching approaches that involve collaborative problem-solving and student learning. The decision on optimal class sizes will depend on the specific learning goals and environment that best facilitate these objectives. Lee highlighted that the current practice of providing smaller classes for primary 1 and 2 form classes, learning support program classes with 8 to 10 students, and smaller class sizes at Crest and Spectra secondary schools has yielded positive results.

The pilot at Woodgrove Primary will investigate the possibility of implementing smaller classes tailored to pupils' learning needs, opening up opportunities for teachers to experiment with innovative teaching methods, offer targeted support, and cultivate a wider array of competencies such as critical thinking and social-emotional skills.