Education Minister of State Lawrence Wong: More ITE students will have chance at diploma

TODAY, 9 Feb 2012

Education Minister of State Lawrence Wong posted a clarification on his comments on ITE students on his Facebook page early this morning.

In the report "Further education hot topic at ITE dialogue" (Feb 8), Mr Wong had been quoted as saying that not all ITE graduates "would be able to pursue a diploma at a polytechnic immediately after obtaining their Higher NITEC", adding: "If everyone can move up, we will not have enough ITE graduates out there in the workforce."

The Minister of State said in his Facebook note that this comment had been taken "out of context", and that he had been "upfront in highlighting to the students that not all of them will be able to get a place in the polytechnic" at REACH's Kopi Talk dialogue held at ITE College East on Tuesday.

His comments, in full, are as follows:

"Today carried a report of my dialogue with ITE students yesterday, noting the strong desire of the students to get a diploma.

"It quoted me as saying, "if everyone can move up, we will not have enough ITE graduates out there in the workforce". Unfortunately, this was taken out of context.

"I would like to share with you what transpired in the dialogue so that you have a fuller picture.

"I explained to the ITE students that MOE has been expanding places in the polytechnics so that they can further their education.

"In fact, we are doing all we can to expand capacity in the polytechnics. In 1995, about 12% of ITE students progressed directly to the polytechnics. Currently, this proportion is at 22%, and it will be increased further to 25%.

"So, even more ITE students will have the chance to get a diploma.

"I've met many ITE students who have succeeded in getting a place in the polytechnic. One of them is Mr Muhammad bin Moh Jauhari.

"He did well in ITE College West and got direct entry into the second year of electrical engineering at Ngee Ann polytechnic. With the increased places in the polytechnics, I hope that there will be more examples like him.

"But even with the expansion of places, I was upfront in highlighting to the students that not all of them will be able to get a place in the polytechnic.

"There is a strong industry demand for ITE graduates, and the job market needs people with their technical skills.

"The polytechnics also have to maintain a certain entry criteria to uphold the standards of diploma education.

"Moreover, we do not want to end up in a situation like some countries where they have rapidly expanded diploma/degree places, resulting in large unemployment or under-employment of such graduates.

"Nevertheless, for the students who are unable to get a place in the polytechnic, I encouraged them not to be disappointed or give up.

"There are other pathways to upgrade themselves and further their studies.

"In particular, MOE has expanded and enhanced the part-time diploma programmes in the polytechnics. So ITE graduates can work first, and then upgrade their skills later, to keep current with industry needs.

"I also told the students that this is an attractive pathway for them to consider.

"Because when they start work, they will have a better understanding of what they enjoy doing, what they are good at, and what industries they would like to work in.

"They will then be able to upgrade their skills in that particular industry through a part-time diploma, which is subsidised by the government, and which their employers will also support."

Minister explains ITE comment
By Amelia Tan, The Straits Times, 10 Feb 2012

MINISTER of State for Education Lawrence Wong yesterday said his comment that not all Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates can go on to polytechnics was taken out of context.

His words, which were said at a forum on Tuesday, sparked controversy online after they were reported by the Today freesheet. But Mr Wong said yesterday that they did not reflect his main point, which would have been understood by the 100 students who attended the event.

The minister, who heads a panel looking at ways to give Singaporeans more opportunities to pursue a degree, said in a Facebook post that all was being done to increase the capacity in polytechnics. He wrote: 'But even with the expansion of places, I was upfront in highlighting to the students that not all of them will be able to get a place in the polytechnic. There is a strong industry demand for ITE graduates, and the job market needs people with their technical skills.'

The discussion between Mr Wong and the students was reported by the media on Wednesday, including The Straits Times. However, members of the public took issue with the minister's quotes published in Today. These included: 'If everyone can move up, we will not have enough ITE graduates out there in the workforce.'

The Today article provoked a flurry of comments online. Mr Andre Goh wrote on Today's website that he did not see why students who worked hard in the ITE were being discriminated against.

Former Nominated Member of Parliament Siew Kum Hong wrote in a blog: 'I would hazard that most Singaporeans would also be disappointed with these comments... we want all Singaporeans to have equal opportunities, and to support those Singaporeans in going as far as they can.'

Mr Wong told The Straits Times: 'Based on my conversations with the ITE students after the dialogue, I know that they had hoisted in the key messages conveyed during the session, which is that there will be even more pathways for them to fulfil their aspirations.'

He added: 'Nevertheless, I have seen the online comments and I understand the reactions. Reflecting on what happened, I recognise that I could have put the points across in a more sensitive manner.'

He said he hoped Singaporeans understood the basis of the education system, adding: 'It is a system of merit where places in the polytechnics are assigned to all good performers who meet the criteria, whether secondary-school leavers or ITE upgraders.'

Based on this system, about 22 per cent of ITE graduates obtain places in polytechnics directly after their Higher Nitec. 'We expect this proportion to go up, to 25 per cent in 2015,' he added.

ITE student Angela Goh, 18, who attended the forum, said: 'I understood where Mr Wong was coming from. There are limited places at the polys, so not all ITE students will be able to get in.'

Further education hot topic at ITE dialogue
By Neo Chai Chin, TODAY, 8 Feb 2012

The move to increase the intake of Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates at polytechnics is underway, but the topic of further education still weighed on the minds of about 100 ITE students at a dialogue with Education Minister of State Lawrence Wong yesterday.

Several students from the three ITE campuses at REACH's Kopi Talk dialogue held at ITE College East asked if opportunities for them to upgrade after graduating could be expanded.

Mr Wong said he understood their aspirations but not everyone would be able to pursue a diploma at a polytechnic immediately after obtaining their Higher NITEC.

This was due to limited places at local polytechnics and employers' demand for ITE graduates. "If everyone can move up, we will not have enough ITE graduates out there in the workforce," he said.

"At the end, it's the number of places we can provide … I don't think we'll be able to satisfy everyone, frankly," he said.

By 2015, one in four ITE graduates will be able to make it to polytechnic, up from one in five currently.

Mr Wong also cautioned against a scenario where the industry is unable to cope with the number of degree or diploma holders seeking jobs. He recounted how on a previous trip to Paris, all applicants for a receptionist job at the Singapore embassy were degree holders.

"That's what happens when you have a sort of heedless desire to get a degree or diploma without understanding the broader issues," he noted.

On why ITE graduates could not opt for polytechnic courses unrelated to their area of study, Mr Wong said the ITE is meant to be a foundation for polytechnic education.

Other questions raised were about the upcoming schools catering only to Normal (Technical) students and on keeping school fees affordable.

Mr Wong said the Government recently enhanced bursary programmes and would enhance them again if necessary.

Specialised Normal (Technical) schools, which open in 2013 and 2014, would have the same programme as other schools but its teachers and a curriculum would be better catered to the needs of students, he explained.

ITE College West Higher NITEC business administration student Seri Nur Haziqah found the dialogue "engaging" as it touched on the importance of character, and felt Mr Wong's replies were "lengthy" but "relevant".

Separately yesterday, the North East Community Development Council announced its North East Education Awards - which awards two students from each eligible school with S$400 to S$900 - would be extended to all ITE campuses here.