Okay. I know I'm still very young and all. But the mini discussion about university and pre-u options for kids in the not-so-distant future really got me thinking and planning. So..
Poly
or
JC
or
Overseas Uni
Just my two cents worth...
A polytechnic education is highly useful and practical. However, are students able to make the correct choice of diploma at the fine young age of 16 that would most likely determine their career path for the rest of their lives? Then again, this point is highly debatable as people in the working world don't really do jobs related to their degree/diploma. Another bad point that I would possibly like to raise is that only the top 10% of the students in a polytechnic can make it into a local university. I believe this ratio has to be fixed. It's highly unfair to polytechnic students. Why only the elite can get a place into university?
Junior College education is pretty much irrelevant and redundant. To me, it's basically a stepping stone to university. A GCE 'A' Level certificate is pretty much worthless as compared to the diploma. The only advantage of going to a JC is the easy path to university. You don't have to be the top 10% to get into a local university. Well, people complain about the extensive mugging and immense stress in JC. I guess that's common and it's really how one manages it. After all, stress is all around. Going to local university is good as it is cheap! It is not too bad and easily recognised in Singapore.
Overseas university is mainly for those who can really afford. Yes, it's faster. It's easier and sometimes, maybe even worth more than a local degree. Then again, studying overseas requires a lot of self-discipline and independence. You're living on your own at the fine age of 16 and you have to settle your own household chores and at the same time, study. A bit too much to handle for a 16 year old? I guess that wouldn't be much of a problem if the student has a rich family. Able to migrate or hire maids. Different culture, different exposure, different experience. Only for those who are rich enough...
Labels: university
