Poly route shut for average students

AVERAGE O-level students with an aggregate score between 18 and 20 points are finding it harder to get places in the polytechnics despite having passed all six subjects.

In the past, polytechnics had been an avenue for these students to build on their education.

As my daughter, who had an aggregate score of 20 points, was eligible for many courses listed on the results slip, we put down nine out of the 12 choices given because she was interested in those courses.

However, she got none of the nine choices. She was informed by the Ministry of Education that this was because the courses she selected had a low cutoff aggregate point. This fact was not made known on the registration booklet or form.

She was also told that students with points as low as 11 or 12 were now applying to the polytechnics instead of the junior colleges.

If this becomes a trend, then it is an issue to be looked into, and the enrolment at polytechnics should be increased.

Average students who fail to make it to courses of their choice have to settle for courses for which they have no interest, or go overseas if the parents can afford the expense.

Being a Singaporean, I believe that students should be given the opportunity to pursue further education here, rather than elsewhere.

Could the authorities please look into this matter?

K. Mathiyazhaki (Ms)