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    Is it easier to go University via the Polytechnic Route?

    Scheduled Pinned Locked Moved Tertiary Education - A-Levels, Diplomas, Degrees
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    • meinteelM Offline
      meinteel
      last edited by

      That is true, this is why many teachers quit as within 5 years of their career. Some even break bonds.


      So many people ask MOE to reduce class size, thinking MOE wants to save money. Many don’t get it that MOE just can’t hire enough teachers in the first place.

      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
      • E Offline
        Edureach
        last edited by

        meinteel:
        That is true, this is why many teachers quit as within 5 years of their career. Some even break bonds.


        So many people ask MOE to reduce class size, thinking MOE wants to save money. Many don't get it that MOE just can't hire enough teachers in the first place.
        Another informed posting from you. Only those well-versed with our education system will know the difficult position MOE is in.

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        • meinteelM Offline
          meinteel
          last edited by

          Haha you should be quite familiar with our education system too, isn’t it? ^^

          1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
          • E Offline
            Edureach
            last edited by

            meinteel:
            Haha you should be quite familiar with our education system too, isn't it? ^^

            Me only trying to provide info and unbaised view here to balance a one-sided view whenever is necessary. It depends on readers to form their own impression. Whether they like or dislike is totally not important to me. Just treat it as a community service.

            Congrats on your good work! It's a testimony in particular for students in neighbourhood schools.

            1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
            • F Offline
              FrekiWang
              last edited by

              meinteel:
              That is true, this is why many teachers quit as within 5 years of their career. Some even break bonds.


              So many people ask MOE to reduce class size, thinking MOE wants to save money. Many don't get it that MOE just can't hire enough teachers in the first place.
              There are several reasons besides the issue of patience in teaching.

              1. Teachers has good starting pay, but very low increment comparing to many other industries. For exmple, many of my friends doing engineering-related job had a starting pay of around 2.7K~3K only 3 years ago. Now their salary are mainly in the range of 4.3K~5K or even more and are expecting to hit 7 to 8K in another 5 years time. In contrast, a teacher may have a starting salary of 3.2K, but in 3 years his salary will be still less than 4K, and most likely, it takes more than ten years to hit 6K.

              2. Teachers are doing too much work besides teaching, especially adminstrative work, this is very different from the past. Many teachers need to work for 12 to 14 hours everyday. A lots of my secondary school and junior college have quited from teaching all because of the same reason - now teaching job is too time-consuming and complicated so that they have no time to spend with their family members. In the past(10 years ago), they only need to work for 8 to 9 hours per day. In addition, they were all very good teachers from top schools.

              MOE now is recruting teachers like crazy not because there are not enough teachers but because lots of teachers are quiting every month. MOE really need to investigate into the situation seriously. There is really no point to recruite 1000 teachers every year and in the end 800 of them quit.

              1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
              • meinteelM Offline
                meinteel
                last edited by

                Haha I agree…actually they should leave CCAs, school newsletter etc to clerks. Principals also should not encourage teachers to have remedial and supplementary lessons, in fact they should discourage it.


                Those itself would relief much stress from the teachers. I was told also that most teachers are busy typing reports that would be submitted to HODs, Principals and the Ministry over, well every single thing that happens.

                1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                • F Offline
                  FrekiWang
                  last edited by

                  Edureach:
                  meinteel:

                  With all the crazy advertising from MOE, many A level holders are gunning for NIE. haha anyway, it is the same for poly grads.


                  Those with 3.4-3.5 GPA has few courses to choose from and the module exemption is only applicable for poly students studying the same course (i.e. Business grad studying business etc). I heard from my friend who is doing Biomedical engineer that to get into local uni he needs 3.79 GPA minimally to stand a chance. Business around 3.85.

                  No doubt however, it has been much easier for the polytechnic students to go to Universities compared to the past.


                  An informed posting.

                  Outside law, medicine and dentistry, next in line popular courses include: accountancy, business, pharmacy, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering. Indicative A-level grade profile AAA/B.

                  For NIE, many have passion for teaching while there are also others bo bian can't make it to other courses.

                  Ultimately, reality sinks in.

                  cut-off grades:
                  AAA/A NUS Dentistry 44
                  AAA/A NUS Materials Science & Engineering 50
                  AAA/A NUS Environment Engineering 58
                  AAA/A NUS Industry & Systems Engineering 67
                  AAA/A NUS Law 231
                  AAA/A NUS Medicine 260
                  AAA/A NUS Chemical Engineering 295
                  AAA/B NUS Pharmacy 132
                  AAA/B NUS Business Admin (Accountancy) 133
                  AAA/B SMU Laws 125
                  AAA/B NTU Aerospace Engineering 87

                  AAB/A NTU Maritime Studies with Business Major 16
                  AAB/B NUS Business Admin 457
                  AAB/B NTU Accountancy 574
                  AAB/B NTU Business 503
                  ABB/A NUS Bioengineering 64
                  ABB/A SMU Accountancy 270
                  ABB/A NTU Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 162
                  ABB/B SMU Business Management 677
                  ABB/B NTU Environmental Engineering 78
                  ABB/B NTU Maritime Studies 49
                  ABB/B NTU Mathematics & Economics 117
                  ABB/B NTU Economics 78

                  BBB/A NUS Engineering Science 46
                  BBB/A NUS Engineering 131
                  BBB/A NUS Mechanical Engineering 315
                  BBB/B NUS Science 1,100
                  BBB/B SMU Science (Economics) 205
                  BBB/B NTU Mathematical Sciences 141
                  BBB/B NTU Psychology 77
                  BBB/C NUS Computer Engineering (FoE) 73
                  BBB/C NUS Electrical Engineering 293
                  BBB/C NTU Information Engineering & Media 61
                  BBB/C NTU Chemistry & Biological Chemistry 285
                  BBB/C NTU Communication Studies 169

                  BBC/B NUS Real Estate 144
                  BBC/B SMU Social Sciences 130
                  BBC/B NTU Bioengineering 68
                  BBC/C NUS Civil Engineering 81
                  BBC/C NUS Project & Facilities Management 137
                  BBC/C NUS Arts & Social Sciences 1,613
                  BBC/C NTU Biological Sciences 340
                  BCC/B NUS Computing 301
                  BCC/B SMU Science (Information Systems Management) 255
                  BCC/B NTU Materials Engineering 231
                  BCC/B NTU Sociology 63
                  BCC/C NUS Computer Engineering (SoC) 77
                  BCC/C NUS Architecture 171
                  BCC/C NTU Computer Engineering 170
                  BCC/C NTU Computer Science 198
                  BCC/C NTU Electrical & Electronic Engineering 689
                  BCC/C NTU Mechanical Engineering 488
                  BCC/C NTU Linguistics & Multilingual Studies 52

                  CCC/B NUS Industrial Design 34
                  CCC/B NTU Physics & Applied Physics 65
                  CCC/C NTU Civil Engineering 106
                  CCC/C NTU Chinese 106
                  CCC/C NTU English 100
                  CCC/C NIE Arts (Education) 205
                  CCC/C NIE Science (Education) 170
                  CCC/D NTU Engineering 137
                  CDD/C NUS Nursing 75
                  DDD/D NTU Art, Design & Media 152

                  Take Chemical Engineering as a example, I don't think a student who cannot score a ABB/A in A-Level can get a GPA of 3.79/4 in poly. Similarly, AAB/B is also easier to obtain comparing to a GPA of 3.85/4 in poly. Even for the lower end, if a student wants to do mechanical engineering, it is also easier to score a BCC/C than to score a GPA of 3.5 in poly.

                  The average starting salary of local U graduates is 2900+ while the average starting salary of local Poly graduates is still below 2000. For an average student, when he has two alternatives after O

                  - JC, probably score a BBB/B in his A, choose a course in local U which may not be his favourite. However, for many cases, interest can be rebuild in 4 years, especially for young adults.

                  - Poly, probably score a GPA of 3.2 and start to work upon graduation.

                  Perhaps choosing the poly route makes the student feel happier in the 3 years of study, but the reality is, an approximate difference of 1000 dollar monthly is a lot as a starting pay. Poly graduates are doing lower-tier work comparing to degree holders in the same organisation. Qualification also plays a very important role in the development of one's career path. That is the trade-off of enjoying 3 years of poly life.

                  1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                  • E Offline
                    Edureach
                    last edited by

                    FrekiWang:
                    Edureach:

                    [quote=\"meinteel\"]With all the crazy advertising from MOE, many A level holders are gunning for NIE. haha anyway, it is the same for poly grads.


                    Those with 3.4-3.5 GPA has few courses to choose from and the module exemption is only applicable for poly students studying the same course (i.e. Business grad studying business etc). I heard from my friend who is doing Biomedical engineer that to get into local uni he needs 3.79 GPA minimally to stand a chance. Business around 3.85.

                    No doubt however, it has been much easier for the polytechnic students to go to Universities compared to the past.


                    An informed posting.

                    Outside law, medicine and dentistry, next in line popular courses include: accountancy, business, pharmacy, aerospace engineering, chemical engineering. Indicative A-level grade profile AAA/B.

                    For NIE, many have passion for teaching while there are also others bo bian can't make it to other courses.

                    Ultimately, reality sinks in.

                    cut-off grades:
                    AAA/A NUS Dentistry 44
                    AAA/A NUS Materials Science & Engineering 50
                    AAA/A NUS Environment Engineering 58
                    AAA/A NUS Industry & Systems Engineering 67
                    AAA/A NUS Law 231
                    AAA/A NUS Medicine 260
                    AAA/A NUS Chemical Engineering 295
                    AAA/B NUS Pharmacy 132
                    AAA/B NUS Business Admin (Accountancy) 133
                    AAA/B SMU Laws 125
                    AAA/B NTU Aerospace Engineering 87

                    AAB/A NTU Maritime Studies with Business Major 16
                    AAB/B NUS Business Admin 457
                    AAB/B NTU Accountancy 574
                    AAB/B NTU Business 503
                    ABB/A NUS Bioengineering 64
                    ABB/A SMU Accountancy 270
                    ABB/A NTU Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 162
                    ABB/B SMU Business Management 677
                    ABB/B NTU Environmental Engineering 78
                    ABB/B NTU Maritime Studies 49
                    ABB/B NTU Mathematics & Economics 117
                    ABB/B NTU Economics 78

                    BBB/A NUS Engineering Science 46
                    BBB/A NUS Engineering 131
                    BBB/A NUS Mechanical Engineering 315
                    BBB/B NUS Science 1,100
                    BBB/B SMU Science (Economics) 205
                    BBB/B NTU Mathematical Sciences 141
                    BBB/B NTU Psychology 77
                    BBB/C NUS Computer Engineering (FoE) 73
                    BBB/C NUS Electrical Engineering 293
                    BBB/C NTU Information Engineering & Media 61
                    BBB/C NTU Chemistry & Biological Chemistry 285
                    BBB/C NTU Communication Studies 169

                    BBC/B NUS Real Estate 144
                    BBC/B SMU Social Sciences 130
                    BBC/B NTU Bioengineering 68
                    BBC/C NUS Civil Engineering 81
                    BBC/C NUS Project & Facilities Management 137
                    BBC/C NUS Arts & Social Sciences 1,613
                    BBC/C NTU Biological Sciences 340
                    BCC/B NUS Computing 301
                    BCC/B SMU Science (Information Systems Management) 255
                    BCC/B NTU Materials Engineering 231
                    BCC/B NTU Sociology 63
                    BCC/C NUS Computer Engineering (SoC) 77
                    BCC/C NUS Architecture 171
                    BCC/C NTU Computer Engineering 170
                    BCC/C NTU Computer Science 198
                    BCC/C NTU Electrical & Electronic Engineering 689
                    BCC/C NTU Mechanical Engineering 488
                    BCC/C NTU Linguistics & Multilingual Studies 52

                    CCC/B NUS Industrial Design 34
                    CCC/B NTU Physics & Applied Physics 65
                    CCC/C NTU Civil Engineering 106
                    CCC/C NTU Chinese 106
                    CCC/C NTU English 100
                    CCC/C NIE Arts (Education) 205
                    CCC/C NIE Science (Education) 170
                    CCC/D NTU Engineering 137
                    CDD/C NUS Nursing 75
                    DDD/D NTU Art, Design & Media 152

                    Take Chemical Engineering as a example, I don't think a student who cannot score a ABB/A in A-Level can get a GPA of 3.79/4 in poly. Similarly, AAB/B is also easier to obtain comparing to a GPA of 3.85/4 in poly. Even for the lower end, if a student wants to do mechanical engineering, it is also easier to score a BCC/C than to score a GPA of 3.5 in poly.

                    The average starting salary of local U graduates is 2900+ while the average starting salary of local Poly graduates is still below 2000. For an average student, when he has two alternatives after O

                    - JC, probably score a BBB/B in his A, choose a course in local U which may not be his favourite. However, for many cases, interest can be rebuild in 4 years, especially for young adults.

                    - Poly, probably score a GPA of 3.2 and start to work upon graduation.

                    Perhaps choosing the poly route makes the student feel happier in the 3 years of study, but the reality is, an approximate difference of 1000 dollar monthly is a lot as a starting pay. Poly graduates are doing lower-tier work comparing to degree holders in the same organisation. Qualification also plays a very important role in the development of one's career path. That is the trade-off of enjoying 3 years of poly life.[/quote]
                    I am thankful for your view especially coming from a jc lecturer. Just to add, a wise student who did not fare as well in 0-level, the alternative choice is to report to RP instead of NP,SP,NYP or TP. Chances of entering uni thru this move is higher.

                    Think you know what i meant.

                    1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                    • H Offline
                      hometutors.018849sg
                      last edited by

                      Poly route is certainly difficult as is not easy to maintain average A grades for so many test and exams. If uni is the destination, then JC route should be better.


                      But everyone is different. So no right or wrong path.

                      But harsh reality in Singapore is good grades are far too important.

                      If not there would not be so many parents sending their children for tuition.

                      1 Reply Last reply Reply Quote 0
                      • M Offline
                        mummyKoala
                        last edited by

                        My former student whom I taught in Primary school and later, she came under me for tuition after I was asked for a transfer to a school nearer home before I outstationed with my husband overseas, took the Poly Route. She is currently accepted by both NUS and NTU for engineering course. She has accepted the offer by NTU due to her interest.


                        She was an average pupil but very hardworking to make up for her lacking in other areas. It was her hardwork that enable her to achieve what she has today. Her PSLE result was average and her "O" was average as she has been writing to me overseas. I always encourage her to follow her interest and I am rather proud of her achievement.

                        So it all depends on the child’s interest.

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