8 Junior Colleges are Merging? Rumors or Reality?

[jetsetter]

floppy:

CatMoon:

Innova JC is the only JC taking in 20 pointers - the P had spoken publicly before about taking in students who qualify for JC. And next year IJC will no longer take in students.


But the other JCs have higher cut-out points and with the \"squeeze\", I don't think Yishun JC will increase its intake significantly -- as the infrastructure is already old and dated -- to take in more students with higher points.

So for 17-20 pointers students, where will they go?

Poly.

To me, it's like a subtle message that the higher powers that be don't think the 17-20 pointers will make it to our local U via the A Level route.

Well, at least there's still MI.

That's my sentiment too.

In the past, the criteria to enter NUS and NTU weren't that stringent. So a good number of better scorers from YJC, JJC, SRJC, TPJC i.e. the 15-20 pointers might still get a place in certain faculties in our local unis. But look at NUS/NTU/SMU criteria now. It's so stringent.

The policy makers must have done their due diligence before merging them. E.g. what were the % of IJC, MJC, PJC, SRJC, YJC and JJC getting into local unis. If they are so weak that many had to be retained after promos, they really should have gone to a Poly or MI, not waste 3 years in a JC. The economy needs people with hands-on training now.


http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/gradeprofile/sprogramme-igp.html

I don't see anything wrong with merging non-performing under-subscribed institutions.

[phtthp]

jetsetter:

In the 1st place, better psle scorers won't consider those JCs that are closing down.

Better scorers currently doing O level in the 3 EJC feeder schools should seriously consider switching to IP track, if they qualify.

JS, u are right.

For these O level students from 3 Feeder schools, if got chance, better to switch to EJC (IP)
(scaly end up 17 to 20 points, touch wood)

After all these named not-so-good JCs shut down : those O level certificate holders with (17, 18, 19, 20 points) cannot enter any more available JC, because they failed to meet the Cut-off-point in the last available JC, after close down, now \"forced\" To go to Poly, more industry-based, direct relevant experience.

Wah !
The stress is very great now, with this recent move, signalling to P6 PSLE students : if can, better goto an IP JC.

[CatMoon]

Fortunately, Kenneth Sng – (formerly from Jurong JC, now a PSC scholar in Washington University) who recently spoke at the US Presidential Debate – missed the axe.

[ammonite]

I think jcs and polys are quite different in terms of content and delivery style. Though the cop put them into a ranking system, i will be supportive if my child has to or decide to go to poly. In fact i think a poly may suit some learning styles better.

[sharonkhoo]

phtthp:

After all these named not-so-good JCs shut down : those O level certificate holders with (17, 18, 19, 20 points) cannot enter any more available JC, because they failed to meet the Cut-off-point in the last available JC, after close down, now \"forced\" To go to Poly, more industry-based, direct relevant experience.


Wah !
The stress is very great now, with this recent move, signalling to P6 PSLE students : if can, better goto an IP JC.

Someone should ask MOE if there will still be places in JCs for the 20-pointers in 2019. If these closures don't block the way of these students, then it really doesn't change anything other than location and size of JCs.

[Imp75]

I believe that should be downsizing of intake at the merged JCs. It cannot be 1+1. Compare YJC and IJC…IJC obviously is bigger and newer and yet they are moving to the 30-year old campus in Yishun which is way smaller…

[sharonkhoo]

jetsetter:

In the past, the criteria to enter NUS and NTU weren't that stringent. So a good number of better scorers from YJC, JJC, SRJC, TPJC i.e. the 15-20 pointers might still get a place in certain faculties in our local unis. But look at NUS/NTU/SMU criteria now. It's so stringent.

The stringency is because the A level results keep getting \"better\" in terms of letter grades. As long as the local universities make places available for the same proportion of each cohort as before, then the actual letter grades really mean nothing.

[Imp75]

I think we might forget the fact that donkey years ago, how many foreign students are there in the Uni versus now.


Last time in my course, I throw a stone also at most hit a Msian. Now, I walk anywhere in NUS and I see more of our neighbours than locals.

[floppy]

jetsetter:

That's my sentiment too.

In the past, the criteria to enter NUS and NTU weren't that stringent. So a good number of better scorers from YJC, JJC, SRJC, TPJC i.e. the 15-20 pointers might still get a place in certain faculties in our local unis. But look at NUS/NTU/SMU criteria now. It's so stringent.

The policy makers must have done their due diligence before merging them. E.g. what were the % of IJC, MJC, PJC, SRJC, YJC and JJC getting into local unis. If they are so weak that many had to be retained after promos, they really should have gone to a Poly or MI, not waste 3 years in a JC. The economy needs people with hands-on training now.


http://www.nus.edu.sg/oam/gradeprofile/sprogramme-igp.html

I don't see anything wrong with merging non-performing under-subscribed institutions.

My brother went from a 19 pointer in O to AAB in A and a 2nd Upper in U. It's possible that some students are late bloomer and may do well when given another chance.

That said, the numbers are likely to be very, very small and being pragmatic, it is better to merge non-performing and under-subscribed institutions in order to consolidate and make use of resources more efficiently.

It's life. You can't please or cater to everyone.

[sharonkhoo]

ammonite:

I think jcs and polys are quite different in terms of content and delivery style. Though the cop put them into a ranking system, i will be supportive if my child has to or decide to go to poly. In fact i think a poly may suit some learning styles better.

I know a student who left his IP school after Yr4 because he was really interested in a particular poly course (something technical, and I can't remember exactly what). He was doing well in school, but just decided that he preferred to specialise early. He will probably go on to university as he seems pretty bright. His parents were a bit surprised but agreed that he should go with his interests.

My daughter has a few friends who could have got into mid-tier JCs but chose the poly route because they were attracted to the hands-on, more applied style of learning, and wanted to avoid GP and MT! Some, but not all, plan to go on to university if they can. Not all students want to study subjects in the more academic A level style, and it's good that options are available for different preferences.