O-level or PFP
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Beikiasu:
https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/index.htmlHi,
I would like to ask is it risky to skip O-level to join PFP? (PFP means Poly foundation program ) My daughter is in NA the form teacher is pushing her student to join PFP in poly. Whereas second class of NA the form teacher is pushing their student to ITE. Those student are disheartened. They don't encourage their student taking O-level.Only when you are top of the cream then you are encourage to take O-level.
Would like to ask in poly one course can fail how many times in PFP? I heard that if you fail one time you are out of Poly. Is it true? I talk to the principle she said if you aim for JC you go O-level. If you aim for Poly go PFP. but my husband said this is not a wise choice, cause he had seen a lot of student drop out from Poly. Drop out from Poly you go ITE. O-level is base and a must.
I look into the 5N syllabus, there are 6 more chapters in Emath, 9 more chapters in Chinese. 2 more huge chapters in core Geo, Chem didn't have lot of lab practice in the last three yrs. There are quite a lot of chapters to cover. For English don't really know how big is the gap. English is not my daughter strong subject. What i worried about is I can't teach 5N syllabus. I can't give her tuition also. I also worried about how she handle all her friends graduated, but she still in school. It is kind of sad and depress.
Last year the school pushed 40% of 4N student to PFP. If the PFP open door for my daughter if she didn't go for it. I scared she will regret in the future.
My daughter and me are at the lost. She is not very smart, but welling to work hard. She is aiming to go to Design course in Poly. Can someone help please.
Thanks.
I think its more difficult to qualify for PFP than Sec 5N, so if qualify for PFP, do give it some thought as if end up taking Sec 5N O levels, would also have to complete with the Sec 4E O level students for the desired poly place using ELR2B2. If end point is poly, PFP would probably be the better choice if its available. -
Beikiasu:
Good afternoon Beikiasu,Hi,
I would like to ask is it risky to skip O-level to join PFP? (PFP means Poly foundation program ) My daughter is in NA the form teacher is pushing her student to join PFP in poly. Whereas second class of NA the form teacher is pushing their student to ITE. Those student are disheartened. They don't encourage their student taking O-level.Only when you are top of the cream then you are encourage to take O-level.
Would like to ask in poly one course can fail how many times in PFP? I heard that if you fail one time you are out of Poly. Is it true? I talk to the principle she said if you aim for JC you go O-level. If you aim for Poly go PFP. but my husband said this is not a wise choice, cause he had seen a lot of student drop out from Poly. Drop out from Poly you go ITE. O-level is base and a must.
I look into the 5N syllabus, there are 6 more chapters in Emath, 9 more chapters in Chinese. 2 more huge chapters in core Geo, Chem didn't have lot of lab practice in the last three yrs. There are quite a lot of chapters to cover. For English don't really know how big is the gap. English is not my daughter strong subject. What i worried about is I can't teach 5N syllabus. I can't give her tuition also. I also worried about how she handle all her friends graduated, but she still in school. It is kind of sad and depress.
Last year the school pushed 40% of 4N student to PFP. If the PFP open door for my daughter if she didn't go for it. I scared she will regret in the future.
My daughter and me are at the lost. She is not very smart, but welling to work hard. She is aiming to go to Design course in Poly. Can someone help please.
Thanks.
Kindly study various post-secondary education paths and to consider strengths and weaknesses of your child carefully before making decision.
In recent years polytechnic path seems to be more popular than JC path. I have visited various post-secondary educational institutions, spoken to lecturers & students of JC and polytechnic as well as secondary school students and parents.
I notice most of secondary school students and parents share with me that: (1) polytechnic path is easier than JC path (2) JC path is more stressful (3) they treat polytechnic path as easier path for admission to university (4) students from N(A) choose PFP or DPP as O level is more stressful. After further clarification, I notice they only base on: hearsay information or base on details/information given by their children/schoolmates/friends or students to follow preferred choices of their classmates.
I notice also some \"result oriented\" schools tend to discourage their students from N(A) to choose S5 O level path even though some are capable to score well for O level. Maybe these schools need to present good data/records during Open House to potential parents and students about high successful rate of their N(A) students enroll in PFP or DPP.
After my further research, I shall conclude that both JC and Polytechnic paths have their own challenges.
At JC, students are groomed for higher intellectual capacities/critical thinking skills and be ready for further study at university. During 1.5 years (we should say 1.5 years instead of 2 years) at JC, students with good learning attitude should be able to cope well and able to score decent grades for admission to university.
At Polytechnic, students are groomed for hands-on experience and be ready for workforce after graduating. There are a lot of group project assignments during 3-year at polytechnic, students' grades of project assignments can be affected by their \"non cooperative project mates\". Polytechnic graduates may face some challenges/difficulties when they further education at university, unlike JC students they are not groomed for higher intellectual capacities/critical thinking skills during polytechnic education.
Some students may prefer to join workforce after graduating from polytechnic. However, they may re-consider to further education after joining workforce for several years when they see the needs to have degree, it's advisable for students of polytechnic to score well in order to stand good chance for admission to university.
Most importantly, kindly note that in addition to polytechnic Grade Point Average (GPA), GCE O level results of polytechnic diploma holders are taken into consideration for admission to local universities (weightage: results of polytechnic 80% + GCE O level results 20%). Furthermore, meeting the previous year's grades/GPA scores of courses do not guarantee admission as these requirements are subject to availability of places. We may notice from websites of both NUS and NTU, polytechnic diploma holders are to score almost perfect GPA scores 4.0 or at least 3.5 in order to stand good chances to secure places at these two universities (students and lecturers of polytechnics advise me, students are to score good scores for all written papers and project assignments consistently for 3 years in order to achieve GPA 3.5 and above).
Both local universities will assess applications of polytechnic graduates who do not have GCE O level certificates on case-by-case basis, applicants' polytechnic results + other academic + non academic achievements will be taken into consideration too. In addition, universities may evaluate such applicants through interviews and aptitude tests.
Hope the above information is useful for your decision making. -
Beikiasu:
Too long and in the end, you’ve answered your own question.
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My daughter and me are at the lost. She is not very smart, but welling to work hard. She is aiming to go to Design course in Poly. Can someone help please.
Thanks.
If your daughter’s aim is to go to a Design course in Poly, then PFP would be the logical option, if the option is available. Going through O level means your daughter face the risk of not qualifying for the course if her results are good enough. If PFP is bao jiak already, why bother with the extra risk. -
Hi there and Good day to all.
This is an interesting topic/ discussion on alternative education journeys in Sgp.
My son was born in 2001, he sat for his PSLE and had the option to go for either NA/ Express stream. From young I noticed that he is a determined child and he seemed to be a go getter but like most children of this generation… can be abit adamant (nicer word to put than stubborn? LOL). Although I observed that given his determination/ academics achievements he can achieve greater heights, his playful streaks got the better of him. I almost pleaded to him to enrol in Xpress but he was adamant to go to N’levels and he said, “I want to study at my pace and I don’t think I will be happy…” I gritted my teeth and finally relented, and said “Uh huh…” lets review your goals every year.
So our fren (my son) went through his 4 years in NA and surprisingly enough he mostly scored A/ B for all his subjects and he sat for his N’levels exams in 2017 and scored 5 for his best 5 subjects. He sat for the Maths O’ levels subject at the same time when he sat for the N’levels. It was during this period that he realised that he should have opted for Express instead and listened to Mummy’s voice… but I advised him reflect and don’t look back. Most importantly, you have an open communication with your children.
My question now is since he sat for the O’level Maths in 2017, does he still need to register/ retake the subject in 2018 O’levels should he opt for the O’level route (although he is aiming for PFP route). I understand you have to register at least 5 O’level subjects and if he drops the Maths he will still have 5 subjects to register. I can’t find this information on the MOE/ SAEB website. Any one can advise? Will this be MOE/ school’s calling on subjects to register for scenarios similar to my son?
Also, communication/ accommodation is best in this instance to determine our children’s background. Spend time with them. We can push them to unearth their limits but ultimately we can only view at the sidelines and encourage them. Who don’t want a faster or ideal route to success? That would be every parent’s joy!! But given different generations idealistic views, accommodation/ consideration is necessary. Children today, leaders tomorrow.
Good luck to all!
Thank you. -
crimson tide:
For application to JC or poly using O level results, he can use the combined results of 2017 and 2018 exams. Hence, his Maths result would be valid. If he has 5 subjects to sit for (excluding Maths) in the 2018 exams, there's no need to sit for Maths again (unless he intends to go for a better score than his current one).
...
My question now is since he sat for the O'level Maths in 2017, does he still need to register/ retake the subject in 2018 O'levels should he opt for the O'level route (although he is aiming for PFP route). I understand you have to register at least 5 O'level subjects and if he drops the Maths he will still have 5 subjects to register. I can't find this information on the MOE/ SAEB website. Any one can advise? Will this be MOE/ school's calling on subjects to register for scenarios similar to my son?
... -
Beikiasu:
I hope this is not too late.Hi,
I would like to ask is it risky to skip O-level to join PFP? (PFP means Poly foundation program ) My daughter is in NA the form teacher is pushing her student to join PFP in poly. Whereas second class of NA the form teacher is pushing their student to ITE. Those student are disheartened. They don't encourage their student taking O-level.Only when you are top of the cream then you are encourage to take O-level.
Would like to ask in poly one course can fail how many times in PFP? I heard that if you fail one time you are out of Poly. Is it true? I talk to the principle she said if you aim for JC you go O-level. If you aim for Poly go PFP. but my husband said this is not a wise choice, cause he had seen a lot of student drop out from Poly. Drop out from Poly you go ITE. O-level is base and a must.
I look into the 5N syllabus, there are 6 more chapters in Emath, 9 more chapters in Chinese. 2 more huge chapters in core Geo, Chem didn't have lot of lab practice in the last three yrs. There are quite a lot of chapters to cover. For English don't really know how big is the gap. English is not my daughter strong subject. What i worried about is I can't teach 5N syllabus. I can't give her tuition also. I also worried about how she handle all her friends graduated, but she still in school. It is kind of sad and depress.
Last year the school pushed 40% of 4N student to PFP. If the PFP open door for my daughter if she didn't go for it. I scared she will regret in the future.
My daughter and me are at the lost. She is not very smart, but welling to work hard. She is aiming to go to Design course in Poly. Can someone help please.
Thanks.
Since your daughter have a passion for design, she could suddenly do well and would want to get into uni.
In the recent years, the local universities would consider 80% of a student's poly GPA and 20% of their o level results. Joining PFP would mean they forfeit the 20% during their application which would put them at a disadvantage. Many PFP students did well in poly as it is their interest but have a hard time applying into a local uni. Yes no doubt private or overseas uni are viable options too.
What the principal said is true, of course, if she intends to go JC, she got to take o levels.
And yes I believe the general rule in poly is that if you fail the course you will be expelled. You can however fail a module once, where they would give you one chance to retake. If you fail twice, then you're out. There are many exceptions where students appeal to retake once more so you could give your reasons. -
Garfieldpal:
I can state categorically that this is not true. Fearmongering and rumors based on hearsay derails the discussion.
...
In the recent years, the local universities would consider 80% of a student's poly GPA and 20% of their o level results. Joining PFP would mean they forfeit the 20% during their application which would put them at a disadvantage. Many PFP students did well in poly as it is their interest but have a hard time applying into a local uni. Yes no doubt private or overseas uni are viable options too.
...
There is no weightage placed on past assessment (O / N) beyond meeting the minimum requirement. -
PFP is as tough or even tougher than O levels…to secure a place in the poly, it’s below 11 points for 5 subjects.
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Hi, my daughter is in the PFP now and is completing this programme soon. She enjoys her every bit of her time/education in Ngee Ann and she never regret skipping O Levels to take up this PFP. A bit of continuous self-pushing to ensure she passes every assignment and test, but it is definitely worth it! Of course, it may be a little more difficult to get into Uni later on, but let’s put it this way, we do one thing a time and don’t stress the kids too much for things that are too much way ahead. Over-ambitious may not be a good thing afterall. Let the child study at her own pace and she/he will be happier, be it in ITE or Poly. The child can still make her/his way up to Uni if the child persevere her/his way through. Go for it and all the best!
I would like to ask is it risky to skip O-level to join PFP? (PFP means Poly foundation program ) My daughter is in NA the form teacher is pushing her student to join PFP in poly. Whereas second class of NA the form teacher is pushing their student to ITE. Those student are disheartened. They don’t encourage their student taking O-level.Only when you are top of the cream then you are encourage to take O-level.
Would like to ask in poly one course can fail how many times in PFP? I heard that if you fail one time you are out of Poly. Is it true? I talk to the principle she said if you aim for JC you go O-level. If you aim for Poly go PFP. but my husband said this is not a wise choice, cause he had seen a lot of student drop out from Poly. Drop out from Poly you go ITE. O-level is base and a must.
I look into the 5N syllabus, there are 6 more chapters in Emath, 9 more chapters in Chinese. 2 more huge chapters in core Geo, Chem didn’t have lot of lab practice in the last three yrs. There are quite a lot of chapters to cover. For English don’t really know how big is the gap. English is not my daughter strong subject. What i worried about is I can’t teach 5N syllabus. I can’t give her tuition also. I also worried about how she handle all her friends graduated, but she still in school. It is kind of sad and depress.
Last year the school pushed 40% of 4N student to PFP. If the PFP open door for my daughter if she didn’t go for it. I scared she will regret in the future.
My daughter and me are at the lost. She is not very smart, but welling to work hard. She is aiming to go to Design course in Poly. Can someone help please.
Thanks.[/quote] -
ker:
thanks for the info. i've been hoping for a parent to give me an idea what PFP is like and whether it is a good (or safe) to skip O levels. my son's classmate got into PFP and she studied very hard to get below 11 points. i've a friend who told me her son got 9 points to get into PFP...but she feels that if her son can get such good results, then he should proceed to do O levels.Hi, my daughter is in the PFP now and is completing this programme soon. She enjoys her every bit of her time/education in Ngee Ann and she never regret skipping O Levels to take up this PFP. A bit of continuous self-pushing to ensure she passes every assignment and test, but it is definitely worth it! Of course, it may be a little more difficult to get into Uni later on, but let's put it this way, we do one thing a time and don't stress the kids too much for things that are too much way ahead. Over-ambitious may not be a good thing afterall. Let the child study at her own pace and she/he will be happier, be it in ITE or Poly. The child can still make her/his way up to Uni if the child persevere her/his way through. Go for it and all the best!
any input about this? -
Any advice below:
How to choose which poly sch to study PFP? Currently have 5 poly with PFP course.
Normally what things student & parent need to considerate to choose which Polytechnic?
Thanks -
Shaww\" post_id=\"1942678\" time=\"1571729953\" user_id=\"170234:
Firstly, you need to get yourself familiar with this website:
Any advice below:
How to choose which poly sch to study PFP? Currently have 5 poly with PFP course.
Normally what things student & parent need to considerate to choose which Polytechnic?
Thanks
https://pfp.polytechnic.edu.sg/PFP/index.html
Then, you (or your daughter) need to identify your daughter's strengths and interests. What are the things / subjects that she will enjoy doing, learning and most probably, do well in?
Next, you narrow down to the courses... and then the poly that's offering them. Some courses are offered in some polys only.
Assuming the course that you liked are offered in two or more polys, you can then consider factors like location, distance, etc -
Hello parents/students, I went through the PFP in Nanyang Polytechnic and now I am going through my final semester in NYP (As a year 3 student). I enrolled in a business-IT course (business informatics).
As an NA student myself, I didn’t regret choosing PFP because PFP provided me with the background and foundation I needed to do well in my year 1 modules, and subsequently I was motivated enough to do well till now. For NA students, I think if you are eligible for PFP. If you were to go for O’levels, you may struggle more as you’re competing with the rest of the O’level cohort.
Parents, I think you shouldn’t be afraid that your child will drop out halfway, just make sure to pass all the modules can already haha. If you fail a few modules, you can still retake again but you will delay your graduation date as well. But make sure to not fail too many though.
If you have any questions pertaining to NYP’s PFP in the school of IT, I can answer them for you haha. -
Shaww\" post_id=\"1942678\" time=\"1571729953\" user_id=\"170234:
Hi,
Any advice below:
How to choose which poly sch to study PFP? Currently have 5 poly with PFP course.
Normally what things student & parent need to considerate to choose which Polytechnic?
Thanks
Each polytechnic is more known for specific/few schools.
For example, NYP is more known for its Information Technology (IT) and Digital Media (SIDM) courses.
I'm not sure about NP/SP, but one of them is more known for business courses among all the polytechnics.
I think your child should go for a polytechnic which is more known for his/her field of interest haha. For IT, I would say NYP offers a lot of support and the lecturers and tutors in NYP SIT are very nice and interacts with students alot.