The Ministry of Education (MOE) should consider taking over the responsibility of setting tests and exams from teachers, as well as coming up with standardised notes for all schools.

Currently, school teachers prepare their own tests, exams and teaching notes.

This is inefficient and ineffective as it wastes teachers' time and energy.

Also, students are under a lot of pressure from their parents to try out past exam papers from top schools.

Centralised tests and notes will make it fair for all students and all schools will be "good schools".

Furthermore, it will solve manpower shortage issues in schools.

MOE can also produce two or more sets of tests to ensure that tests can be taken at different times in the various schools. It can upload the answers on a website for students.

Teachers can then conduct tutorials and focus more energy on students who need extra help.

Simply getting students to tackle old question papers repeatedly is a waste of time.

The Singapore education system must be willing to adopt new measures to remain competitive.

Sim Lim Onn