Students only feel worse if they're struggling in an institution disparaged as “the end”. Mindsets and values about education must shift, says Ngee Ann Polytechnic student Claudia Selvakumar.
While these moves are welcome, it remains to be seen whether mindsets and values can shift too. Many do not realise the emotional cost of being an underachiever in a society that values academic success.
The primary and secondary school experience is heavily focused on academics, but what about those who excel in a more hands-on environment? Should they struggle for a decade before finding a tertiary institution that caters to their needs?Even as full subject-based banding gives students more room to learn at their own pace, it does not necessarily dismantle the stigma associated with taking “lesser” academic routes.
Moreover, since I was not performing well academically, they thought that enrolling at ITE would only set me back further.But my parents can’t be blamed for thinking this way because of the deep-rooted stigma attached to ITE. Even though DPP provides N students flexibility to pursue their interests, many of my peers did not choose to pursue DPP because they feared disapproval too. They told me that their parents often referred to the initials of ITE as"It's The End".
First, students who weren’t academically inclined did not have the same opportunities offered to students with good grades. For example, there is a minimum GPA to qualify for the ACE programme, which gives students the opportunity to develop leadership and communication skills. After seeing the gaps that exist between our community and others, I wanted to help people who could not help themselves. I applied for the Diploma in Community Development at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, and in my second year, joined Access Singapore, a non-profit organisation that provides career opportunities for disadvantaged students, particularly from schools and educational streams less reached.
I had the privilege of involving acquaintances who were once deemed hopeless cases. They told me that the campaign inspired them and validated their own achievements. I too learnt that success takes many forms and that we should celebrate each person's unique journey.
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