POLYTECHNIC COURSES IN PREFERENCE TO 'A' LEVEL COURSES (Reasons)

Mr Ng Kah Ting asked the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education (a) how many students, who obtained an aggregate of 10 points and less in five subjects in the 1983 'O' level examinations, opted to join the polytechnics instead of advancing to the 'A' levels, and what were their reasons; (b) what has been the outcome of efforts to persuade them to go for the 'A' levels; and (c) whether his Ministry will closely monitor this phenomenon of students opting to take a diploma course instead of going to the 'A' levels and then to the University.

Dr Tay Eng Soon (for the First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Education): Mr Speaker, Sir, out of 3,202 students with 10 points or less in the 1983 'O' level examinations, 403 opted to join the polytechnics instead of the junior colleges. They comprise basically of two groups. One group who are from the Chinese stream would have to pass ELl at 'O' level at junior college to qualify for admission to NUS. They expressed lack of confidence to do so as the main reason for opting for the polytechnics.

The second group are students who do not have confidence in passing the General Paper. They have the miscomprehension that a Pass in GP is essential for admission to NUS. Except for the Law Faculty, NUS does not require a Pass in GP, although GP does count for points.

Most of the 403 students came to a counselling session on 7th April, 1984, organised by my Ministry, Ninety-two of them opted for the 'A' level course after. the counselling.

My Ministry considers it a loss that good students should opt to take a diploma instead of going to 'A' level and then to the university. Furthermore, such students are taking up places at the polytechnics which could better go to those who are unlikely to make it through 'A' level and the university. For example, altogether, 2,026 students with 17 points or below who are qualified to join the junior colleges opted for the polytechnics this year. On the other hand, 821 students who wanted to join the polytechnics could not do so because of lack of vacancies and instead had to join the Pre-U centres. It would be preferable if more of the students with 17 points or below joined the junior colleges, thus releasing places for those who instead had to go to Pre-U centres.

Mr Ng Kah Ting (Punggol): Mr Speaker, Sir, since only 92 of the 403 students who went to the Ministry for counselling, went for the 'A' level, would the Ministry consider giving those students who have got a better chance to take the 'A' level and then go to the university, more opportunities and encouraging them at the same time? In this respect, what steps are being taken to encourage them, instead of the other way round where more of the students who are not able to secure a place in the polytechnics go to the 'A' level instead?

Dr Tay Eng Soon: Mr Speaker, Sir, my Ministry is looking into various ways and alternatives in which this problem of the reversal of enrolment of bright students in the polytechnics can be corrected for the future.