Students say bridging courses could aid ITE to polytechnic transition after MOE move on guaranteed places

One former student who wanted to be known only as Zyrul, said that he dropped out of Temasek Polytechnic after his second year due to both his inability to cope with the mathematics-related modules as well as unrelated financial issues.

  • The Ministry of Education (MOE) announced on July 21 that Higher Nitec students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) will be guaranteed spots in polytechnics if they score a Grade Point Average of at least 3.5
  • This has raised questions about how difficult it is for ITE graduates to make the transition to a polytechnic
  • TODAY interviewed six current and former ITE students who lauded the MOE move but said more could be done to support these students, such as the introduction of bridging courses
  • One of them said that he dropped out of polytechnic due to his difficulty in coping with the subjects and financial problems
  • A local non-profit organisation catering to ITE students also said that bridging courses to teach writing skills and how to study theoretical course material would help 

 

ST Article

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