Quote Audrey Heng Aik Choo (Ms) on Strait Times on 13 March
07
" Bid to enter polytechnic failed by just one point: Appeals
process too rigid
I REFER to the article, 'Poly route shut for average students' (ST,
March , and would like to share my experience regarding my
daughter's application to the polytechnics after her O level
results.
My daughter had an aggregate score of 14 that allowed her
eligibility to many courses as listed in the result slips. Having
attended a number of open houses organised by the various
polytechnics and with the understanding that an aggregate score of
below 16 is likely to meet the entry requirement for Accounting,
the subject she is interested in, she listed Accounting in a
polytechnic, which is within walking distance from our residence,
as her first choice of selection.
When we received her enrolment results, she was posted to another
polytechnic to do the course of Business Administration that she
had put as her fourth choice of her selection.
We also found out that she missed the entry score of her first
choice subject and polytechnic by a mere one point.
As my daughter had A2s respectively for her Principles of
Accounting and Maths in her O level, I decided to make an appeal at
the polytechnic of her first choice.
However, I was informed by the officer at that polytechnic that
entry is based strictly on merit and that as long as one aggregate
score is above the cut-off point, it would be a waste of time
making an appeal. I am disappointed that our educational system is
adopting the mindset of 'No target score, No talk!'
With the change in trend and the focus shifted towards polytechnic
education by many O level students, I fully agree with Ms K.
Mathiyazhaki that the ministry should look into increasing the
intake of the polytechnics to allow average achievers the
opportunity to pursue their education in this route.
Looking at the low entry points of the various courses published by
the polytechnics in Singapore, which were released only at the time
of enrolment results, it appears that many students with good GCE O
level results have decided to enrol in the polytechnic instead of
the junior college. If this increase in enrolment is not matched by
an increased intake for various courses offered, then the average
achievers who wish to pursue courses of their choice will be
displaced as they are left with no other choice but to accept a
posting to courses that they may have lesser aptitude or interest
in.
Perhaps the appeal process can be further fine-tuned to consider
students who have achieved reasonably good results in their
relevant subjects but have missed the aggregate cut-off, which is
based on all subjects regardless of their relevance to the courses
of pursuit.
I would also wish to appeal to the relevant polytechnics to publish
the entry cut-off points of the previous year's intake in their
open house brochures so that students can make informed choices of
the courses they like to pursue and within their capability.
"
Good day Ms Choo,
If you by any chance read my respond kindly get in contact with me
as soon as possible. Please give me an opportunities to help your
daughter get into the course she wanted. My motive is clear and
simple, i wish to seek a revolution of a system which i am a victim
to.
I may not succeed but i want to let the readers here know that i
have did my best to do something about it rather than sitting here
and voice my opinion.
I agree with your points but disagree with your solution of
publishing the cut off point. The cut off point system itself in
the first place is not fair with not basis but to be fast and
efficient. With the advancement of technology, i have a better
suggestion for the school which i will propose.
If any other readers are facing the same issue and think that it is
a problem, i will be glad to help. I need a match in the first
place to strike a spark.
Sincerely Lance Ngo
