Eligible A-Level graduates that are admitted to polytechnics will now take less time to obtain a diploma, according to Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung.

Ong announced this during the 2nd Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) Applied Learning Conference on Jan. 30, emphasising that this will help A-Level students switch to polytechnics when it is needed.

He also announced the expansion of aptitude-based admission in three local universities, as well as the expansion of opportunities for working adults to earn a diploma.

Eligible A-level graduates take less time to obtain a diploma

Starting from 2020, eligible A-Level graduates will be able to obtain exemptions of up to two semesters in 56 diploma courses.

This will allow A-Level graduates to enrol in polytechnics in October and graduate two years later, rather than the usual three years.

Ong explained that although polytechnics offer a good education, many A-Level students do not find it attractive to make the switch, because "it takes too long".

Currently, eligible A-Level graduates can be admitted to polytechnics at the start of Year 1 Semester 2, for around 110 diploma courses.

This allowed A-Level graduates to complete their polytechnic studies in 2.5 years, shorter than the usual three years.

With the new changes, the total number of polytechnic courses offering exemptions for eligible A-Level students will also increase to 120 courses, or about two-thirds of all polytechnic courses.

Ong emphasised that the reduction in course duration for A-Level students does not compromise the quality of their diploma education, and that students will only receive module exemptions if they have met the necessary grades for their A-Level subjects.

Local universities to shift emphasis away from academic grades

Ong also announced that MOE will further expand aptitude-based admission at NUS, NTU and SMU, which would shift emphasis away from academic grades when it comes to assessing potential students.

"To enable more porosity across pathways, our admissions system needs to rely less on academic grades, and more on other meritorious yardsticks, so that a fuller range of an individual's aptitude and attributes can be taken into account," said Ong.

Under the current Discretionary Admissions (DA) scheme at these three autonomous universities (AUs), they can admit 15 per cent of their annual intake based on factors beyond general academic grades.

However, the schools still assess students based on whether they meet the academic cut-off point of the courses, which makes it still academic-based, and is "different from the spirit of aptitude-based admissions which look at students more holistically," said Ong.

From 2020 onwards, NUS, NTU and SMU will no longer offer a standalone DA scheme, but will assess more students via aptitude-based admissions.

Ong then brought up the example of NTU, which recently committed to extending aptitude admissions to 50 per cent of each intake cohort over the next few years.

The three newer autonomous universities (AUs) - the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD), Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT) and the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS) already assess all students through an aptitude-based approach.

Easier for individuals who are working to earn diplomas

Ong also announced more pathways for individuals who are currently working to take up diplomas in polytechnics and Institutes of Technical Education (ITE).

From 2021 onwards, individuals with a part-time Nitec, part-time Higher Nitec, or WSQ diploma, and have at least one year of relevant work experience will be considered for entry into full-time diplomas at polytechnics and ITE, said Ong.

Minimum academic grades requirement will still apply.

Currently, individuals with part-time Nitec, part-time Higher Nitec and Singapore Workforce Skills Qualifications (WSQ) are not eligible to take up full-time diplomas offered by the polytechnics and ITE.

"We hope this will provide more upgrading options for our working adults, and encourage them to come back to school to pick up new skills," said Ong.

Top image from Nanyang Polytechnic.

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