Kenneth Tiong presses for secondary CCA reforms as MOE pledges wider access and review

On 3 March 2026, Workers’ Party MP for Aljunied GRC Kenneth Tiong urged sweeping reforms to Singapore’s secondary school co-curricular activity (CCA) system, arguing that structural barriers continue to limit fair access despite broader education changes.

Senior Minister of State for Education David Neo responded by reaffirming the Government’s commitment to widening access, outlining ongoing cross-ministry efforts and support schemes to strengthen participation and inclusion.

At the heart of the debate were concerns over competitive selection trials, Direct School Admission pathways and whether the current framework disadvantages students without extensive early coaching.

Speaking during an adjournment motion on 3 March, Tiong highlighted the case of a secondary school student from his ward who had trained in tennis for six years but was unable to secure a place in his school’s tennis CCA despite reaching the final trial round.

The boy’s primary school did not offer tennis, leading his working parents to arrange private coaching, yet he was unsuccessful through both Direct School Admission and open trials, and was reportedly advised not to list the CCA due to limited vacancies.

He eventually joined rugby but gave up competitive tennis due to academic and training demands, with his mother describing it as “heartbreaking” that he had to abandon the sport not for lack of ability, but because the system did not give him the opportunity to develop further.

“I believe this is a system problem, not a talent problem,” Tiong said.

Participation, selection and LEAPS 2.0

Tiong argued that while reforms such as the removal of mid-year examinations and subject-based banding have reduced excessive academic sorting, CCA structures have received less scrutiny.

CCAs remain compulsory and are graded under LEAPS 2.0, with achievements translating into bonus points for post-secondary admission.

Although some primary schools have piloted the removal of selection trials, he noted that this model has not been extended to secondary schools.

He cited examples including the Singapore American School and Hwa Chong Institution’s track and field programme, arguing that broad participation can coexist with competitive success.

“Broad participation is not the enemy of competitive excellence,” he said, pointing to depth across events as a contributor to divisional championship titles.

Direct School Admission and early specialisation

The MP also linked limited access to the Direct School Admission framework, noting that sport is the largest talent category and that some schools reserve significant proportions of places for DSA entrants.

“When the tennis CCA has 20 spots and half are reserved for DSA students, the remaining places must absorb the entire non-DSA cohort,” he said.

He questioned who can afford years of coaching required to be competitive at age 12, pointing to disparities in parental time and financial resources.

Citing a December 2025 study published in Science analysing more than 34,000 top-level performers, he said early standouts and adult world-class performers were “largely different people”.

“Approximately 90 per cent are different individuals,” he said, arguing that early specialisation predicts junior success but not long-term excellence.

He added that predictors of senior success include multi-sport engagement and gradual progression rather than intensive early discipline-specific training.

Proposed reforms and transparency

Tiong proposed extending a no-trial participation model to all secondary schools, with trials determining competitive squads but not general participation.

Students who miss competitive teams would enter developmental programmes and be allowed to re-trial annually.

He also called for expanding the Strategic Partnership CCA and Multi-School CCA initiatives to enable cross-school access, alongside the publication of sport availability maps and a five-year expansion roadmap.

On coaching, he suggested introducing a lighter certification tier to widen the volunteer pool for developmental squads, while maintaining safety standards.

He further urged a review of LEAPS 2.0 achievement indicators and the collection and publication of socio-economic data on DSA applications and outcomes.

Government response and cross-ministry collaboration

In response, SMS Neo stressed that education in Singapore “has always been about more than just grades and academic performance”.

Neo recalled that in 1966, then Education Minister Ong Pang Boon identified extracurricular activities as a means of inculcating moral values and fostering national identity.

In 1999, extracurricular activities were renamed co-curricular activities to signal their integral role in holistic education.

“It was a simple change of a letter, but it sent a deeper message,” he said, adding that CCAs build character, teamwork, resilience and leadership.

To illustrate the broader value of CCAs, Neo recounted the experience of the hockey team from Saint Hilda’s Secondary School.

After winning their opening match in their first post-pandemic National School Games competition, the team learned that their coach had died of a heart attack.

Teachers, alumni and students rallied around the team. Players wore T-shirts bearing the words “For you Coach Kader” beneath their jerseys as a tribute.

He added that both local and global studies support the role of CCAs in strengthening confidence, communication skills and school belonging.

Policy evolution and support schemes

Neo said CCA policies have evolved over time, with the LEAPS framework introduced in 2003 to encourage participation in non-academic activities.

LEAPS 2.0, introduced in 2014, shifted the focus towards quality over quantity following feedback that the earlier scheme had become overly competitive.

“Nevertheless, we acknowledge the CCA landscape is not perfect and challenges remain,” he told the House.

On access to preferred CCAs, he said the Ministry of Education is working with the Ministry of Culture, Community and Youth, including Sport Singapore and the National Arts Council, to share facilities and provide professional coaching across schools.

He cited the Strategic Partnership CCA and Multi-School CCA initiatives, which allow students to pursue activities not offered in their own schools.

He welcomed suggestions to expand these programmes and said further details would be shared at the upcoming MCCY Committee of Supply debates.

“Our Prime Minister has said that every Singaporean, regardless of where they start in life, should have a fair chance to pursue their aspirations,” he said, adding that this principle applies equally to CCA access.

Addressing disadvantaged students, he noted that schools bear the costs of running CCAs, including instructor fees and equipment.

Students from lower-income families can tap the MOE Opportunity Fund to cover learning experiences and additional CCA-related expenses.

He also highlighted initiatives such as the Junior Sports Academy to help primary school pupils discover sporting interests, adding that access would be increased.

On coaching standards, Neo reiterated that National Registry of Coaches certification remains necessary to ensure student safety.

“While we have done much, we will continue to improve,” he said, pledging ongoing collaboration across ministries to strengthen the role of CCAs in holistic development.