ITE, Polytechnic and University Graduates in 2015-2017 from Normal Technical, Normal Academic and Express Streams

Mr Louis Ng Kok Kwang asked the Minister for Education what is the breakdown of the percentage of ITE, polytechnic and university graduates in 2015, 2016 and 2017 who are from the Normal Technical, Normal Academic and Express streams respectively.

Mr Ong Ye Kung: Over the last three years, among students who graduated from the ITE, close to half were from the Normal (Technical) [N(T)] course, about 45% were from the Normal (Academic) [N(A)] course, and the remaining were from the Express course. For those who graduated from publicly-funded diploma programmes, the figures were about 5% N(T), 35% N(A) and the remaining Express. For publicly-funded degree programmes, the numbers were about 1% N(T), 5% N(A) and the remaining Express.

It should be noted that a good proportion of graduates from ITE and Polytechnics further their studies in publicly-funded institutes. We are also seeing University graduates attending ITE courses to gain hands-on skills. We must bear in mind that there must be different paths catering to the diverse strengths and talents of our people.