singapore's education system

the singapore education system has been debated so aggressively these days. especially with the rise of single pointers o level graduates opting to pursue the polytechnic education, in contrast to the norm of heading to the junior colleges.

i've read so many articles with regards to this issue, hence it seems prudent to discuss this in light of this general paper blog.

at first glance, it seems wonderful that finally, the polytechnics are beginning to get a fresh batch of talented students, who try their hand at another route to education, instead of just blindly opting for the junior colleges.

this shows that the education system is diversifying. no longer is there the stagnant cliche that goes something like;

'junior colleges are for the singaporean elites and polytechnics for the academically less capable.'

of course, there are more crass statements equivalent to the statement above, but let's not go there.

with this new development or rather trend of students vying for new and unchartered grounds, like heading for polytechnics, arts schools and the like, what are the consequences for those students who have depended on places in such institutions because other courses were more competitive?

in other, more frank, words. students who didnt do well.

they either make it to a poor course of their choice or fail to make the cut for admissions into a polytechnic and go into institutes of technical education (which is also gaining in recognition and competitiveness). worse come to worst, they've nowhere to go.

it is clear that our system has gone up a notch in it's competitiveness. students now have better, stronger rivals aiming for the same spot in any institutions.

junior colleges, undoubtedly, with the whole integrated programmes for top five schools like hwachong, temasek, and victoria. also for those junior colleges with special academic and science programmes like anglo-chinese and anderson.

polytechnic courses with new chic and interesting yet challenging courses, like biomedical, biotechnology, design, gaming and more.

private institutions like lasalle-sia college of the arts, raffles arts school and other fashion, arts and design academies.

this may be a positive outcome in singapore's pursuit for a globalised economy, where students specialise in every arena of arts and sciences. but let us ponder, if this intense competition increases as time goes by, would we slander those who simply cannot cope with the tides of competition?

though we may have an amazing pool of local and foreign talent, we fail to notice that there are some who simply do not have the grades, but have the talent. with our immense emphasis on grades to get into insitutions to mould our talents, does that mean that this unfortunate group is left aside? shunned from society and made a burden? when they can be equally or much more competent in contributing to economy?

in a debate i had with my friends sometime back, we talked about this trend objectively. being objective was important, since we all hail from junior colleges.

we agreed that it is a great development. that we've finally started to tap onto our local talent, without realising it. we now have more local talent in arts schools, and in new courses in the polytechnics.

however, we questioned the future. the ultimatum is the aim of going to a university. it's important, with this new edge of aggression to be the best, a diploma at the polytechnic level doesnt signal the end of education. we, as students and individuals leading the nation in the future have to achieve greater competency and relevancy by attaining a degree or better.

with such huge populace of capable students in jcs, polys and specialised schools, what pressure is this going to exert on our local universities?

we felt that being jc students, it's like a safety net, as long as you do well for your a levels, it's a direct admission into the universities. but poly students and all have to thrash it out and prove their mettle, before gaining admission.

it's not easy, with only five percent of them proving their distinction above others and gaining acceptance into the universities.

yes, many claim that anything is possible, with the right attitude, priorities and determination. but can that be the antidote to the problem for all time? surely a positive attitude, under tremendous stress, pressure and failure would crumble into self inferiority and negativity?

there's more risks to benefits, as far as my eye can see. well, then again, it's just a matter of personal opinion.

but the bottom line is that, i feel more should be done to address this issue. if we are to contribute, the competition should be healthy and everyone should be given a chance and right to actively give to the well-being and sovereignty of our country and its economy.

it seems now that it's up to the determination, the right attitude and priority of our leaders to look into this matter.