POLYTECHNICS (Offer of degree courses)

Mr Goh Chong Chia asked the Minister for Education what is his Ministry's policy with regard to the polytechnics offering degree courses.

RAdm Teo Chee Hean: Mr Speaker, Sir, higher education in Singapore is provided in the universities and polytechnics. Currently, we provide places for 21% of the Primary 1 cohort in universities and about 40% in polytechnics. These cohort participation rates for higher education are among the highest in the world.

The polytechnics do not offer degree courses, and it is not the Ministry's policy for the polytechnics to do so. Universities and polytechnics serve different groups of students and different needs of the economy. Each higher education segment focuses on providing a best-in-class education to its students.

Polytechnic graduates are the largest group to graduate from our education system and are well trained and highly employable. They constitute some 40% of every cohort of students, and form the backbone of our economy.

I do appreciate that polytechnic graduates, like other Singaporeans aspire to upgrade themselves. Currently, about 1,200 polytechnic graduates per year are admitted to various full-time and part-time courses leading to degrees in NUS, NTU and SMU. Polytechnic graduates also upgrade themselves by attending courses at the polytechnics that lead to advanced and specialist diplomas. Some polytechnic graduates enrol in universities in other countries. My Ministry recognises the aspiration of polytechnic graduates to upgrade themselves, and we are currently studying how more upgrading opportunities can be provided for polytechnic graduates in Singapore, in the context of providing continuing education and life-long learning for all Singaporeans.