Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for writing to us on 29/10/2007 with regard to your enquiry.

We would like to clarify that the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board (SEAB) discourages the use of correction fluid/tape in the GCE exams to safeguard the interests of pupils.

Based on our past experience, the SEAB found that the use of correction fluid/tape can affect the performance of pupils and the legibility of their scripts.

Examples of these include:

(1) Pupils forgetting to write in their answers after applying correction fluid because they went on to answer other questions while waiting for the correction fluid to dry.

(2) Pupils spending time waiting for the correction fluid to dry or reapplying correction tape to mask their original answers, before proceeding to answer other questions. This results in some loss of time.

(3) Pupils writing answers when the correction fluid is still moist, thus rendering their answers illegible.

(4) Correction fluid adhering to the opposite face of the answer script, causing answers on the opposite face to be smudged.

(5) Correction tape causing opposite faces of the answer script to be stuck to each other. Separating these pages during marking could cause damage to the scripts and hence affect the legibility of answers.

With regard to the use of correction fluid/tape in schools, we would like to clarify that pupils are engaged in a variety of writing activities in their daily work where the use of correction fluid/tape may be appropriate. However, this is a decision that is best decided by the school.

We would encourage parents to contact the relevant school for further clarification on the decision made by the respective school, The contact details of all schools may be obtained from: http://www.moe.gov.sg/schdiv/sis/

We hope the above clarifies. Should you have any further enquiries, please quote the following reference number : 2007/10/455355 when you email me at [email protected]. Alternatively, you may also speak with our Customer Service Executives at 6872-2220.

Thank you.

Best Regards,

(name withheld)
Customer Services Branch, MOE
for PERMANENT SECRETARY (EDUCATION)

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