Why the new curriculum?

Starting from 2006, students entering Junior Colleges (JCs) and the Centralised Institute (CI) will be taking a new GCE A-Level curriculum. It will emphasise breadth of learning and flexibility.

The new curriculum is aimed at preparing students well for the rapidly changing world of the 21st century. Most people will change jobs at least a few times in their careers, sometimes switching to jobs in entirely new fields. What will give advantage is being able to adapt to new situations, to draw on insights from different fields, and to think on your feet.

It is in this spirit that the new GCE A-Level curriculum has been developed. It will emphasise multi-disciplinary learning, and enhance your capacity to learn independently. It will prepare you well for the approaches being taken in university education, and for the demands of an innovation-driven world.

The real measure of your education goes well beyond your examinations and grades. The real measure comes years later in your courage to try the untested, your determination to overcome challenges, your willingness to stand in a team and your ability to lead. It ultimately lies in your ability to live life to the fullest.

What will the new curriculum give you?

More Breadth, More Options
You will get a multi-disciplinary grounding in your 'A' level years, which is essential in a knowledge-based economy. To acquire this, you will undertake Project Work, and study at least one subject outside your area of specialisation, i.e. a contrasting subject. Subjects have also been redesigned and pitched at three levels of study, so you have more combinations to choose from in your subject selection.

More Focus on Thinking and Communication Skills
You will be encouraged to think critically and innovatively. You will also be able to develop your communication skills. To provide more room for these skills, content in the academic curriculum will be reduced by 10 to 15 percent.

A Holistic Education
You will have more opportunities in the non-academic curriculum to engage in activities that will help you cultivate important qualities such as initiative and leadership skills, as well as strength of character.

What does the new curriculum comprise?

Life Skills
The holistic curriculum of the school, including non-academic activities, that helps develop in you the values and skills to take you through life as responsible and active citizens

Knowledge Skills
The part of the curriculum that focuses on developing your thinking, process and communication skills. These skills are also developed through the content-based subjects.

Content-based Subjects & Contrasting Subjects
The part of the curriculum that gives you grounding in content disciplines in three different areas: Languages. Humanities & the Arts, and Mathematics & Sciences. If you are a Humanities & the Arts student, you will take at least one contrasting subject from the Mathematics and Sciences disciplines. and vice-versa. A contrasting subject helps provide a broad base of learning. It prepares you for the multi-disciplinary approaches being taken in university education.

The Three Levels of Study
You can select from three levels of study

You get more choice with the H1, H2 & H3 levels of study. It replaces the previous system of 'AO', 'A' and 'S' papers. The H1 level offers more subject options than the previous 'AO' papers. The H3 level allows for a greater range of learning and research options than the previous 'S' papers.

Grading

Grades S and Ungraded denote grade points below pass. 'S' is a sub-pass.

Note : Please refer to your JC or CI for more information on the subject combinations.