Educators warn growing class sizes strain teaching quality despite planned teacher recruitment
Behind Singapore’s reputation for academic excellence, many teachers say daily classroom realities are becoming harder to manage. Larger class sizes, heavier workloads, and increasingly diverse student needs are reshaping how education is delivered on the ground.
Rising Class Sizes Despite Falling Enrolment
Latest figures show average class sizes in Singapore increased slightly from 2023 to 2024. Primary school classes grew from 33.6 to 33.8 students, secondary classes from 32.6 to 32.9, and junior college classes from 23.1 to 23.2. This comes even as the student cohort continues to shrink, with Primary 1 enrolment falling from 39,372 to 37,785 over the same period.
The pupil-to-teacher ratio has also risen. In primary schools, it increased from 14.5 in 2020 to 15.6 in 2024, while secondary schools saw a jump from 11.9 to 12.7. At the same time, the number of teachers declined from 30,396 in 2023 to 29,605 in 2024.
Teachers Say Class Size Directly Affects Learning
Six primary and secondary school teachers who spoke to The Straits Times said class size has a clear impact on teaching effectiveness. Ms Jo Ann Kuek, a secondary school teacher with seven years of experience, said she typically teaches four to seven classes, each with up to 43 students.
In a widely shared Instagram post in November 2025, she wrote that “class size matters,” arguing that research cited by the Ministry of Education does not reflect local classroom realities. Marking hundreds of scripts, alongside lesson preparation, extracurricular duties, and pastoral care, is “not sustainable,” she said.
Other teachers echoed this sentiment, noting that larger classes reduce opportunities for meaningful interaction and personalized feedback. An English teacher with over 15 years of experience said individual feedback often spills into after-school hours, increasing burnout.
Diverse Learning Needs Add to the Strain
Teachers highlighted that larger classes amplify challenges posed by students with diverse needs, including attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism. A secondary school science teacher with more than a decade of experience said the frequency of students requiring additional guidance increases as class sizes grow.
“When the class gets bigger, trying to help students individually disrupts the learning of others,” she said. Over time, this often leads to more lecture-style teaching, especially in humanities subjects, where class sizes can reach 35 to 42 students.
A humanities teacher with more than 35 years in the profession said large classes turn lessons into an efficiency-driven process focused on completing the syllabus rather than building personal connections.
MOE’s Position and Trade-Offs
MOE has maintained that Singapore’s student-to-teacher ratio is healthy and comparable to systems in the United States, United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, and Japan. The ministry argues that this balance allows teachers time for lesson preparation and professional development.
Former education minister Chan Chun Sing said in March 2025 that doubling the teaching force to halve class sizes would risk affecting teacher quality. He also cited Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development studies showing that factors beyond class size play a larger role in learning outcomes.
When asked to choose between smaller classes with more teaching periods or larger classes with fewer lessons, many teachers said they would prefer fewer lessons to preserve time for preparation and student support outside the classroom.
What Teachers Say Is Ideal
Most teachers interviewed said the ideal class size ranges between 25 and 30 students, with some suggesting 20 to 25. An English and mathematics teacher with 13 years of experience said teaching a class of fewer than 20 students in 2025 transformed classroom engagement.
“There was more meaningful discussion. Every voice was heard,” she said. A primary school teacher with nearly 15 years of service added that today’s digital-native students have shorter attention spans, making smaller classes more conducive to effective learning.
Rethinking Class Size Planning
Mr Manogaran Suppiah, a former principal with over 40 years of teaching experience, said the role of teachers has expanded beyond academics to include mental health support, digital learning, and parental engagement. He noted that the traditional class size of 40 is gradually becoming outdated.
However, he cautioned that smaller classes alone are not a solution. Teachers must adapt their pedagogy to suit different class configurations, and schools should be allowed flexibility based on student profiles and needs.
The debate over class sizes reflects broader shifts in education across Singapore and the region. As teaching demands grow more complex, balancing manpower, pedagogy, and student needs will remain a shared challenge. For both Indonesians and Singaporeans observing education reforms, the discussion underscores how classroom realities shape long-term learning outcomes and workforce readiness.
Sources: Asia One (2025) , Straits Times (2025)
Keywords: Singapore Schools, Class Sizes, Teachers Workload, MOE Policies, Education System
