Relevant snippets
About 1 per cent of students switch to a polytechnic after starting JC, compared to the 0.5 per cent who go the other way, according of Education Ministry figures.
On average, a JC graduate can expect a starting pay of about S$1,300. A poly graduate will earn nearly S$900 more.
More than 90 per cent of poly graduates are able to find jobs within six months of leaving school.
The two-year JC route is obviously a faster option to a university education.
The ministry revealed that the 2015 intake at the six local universities had the highest ever proportion of polytechnic graduates at nearly 34 per cent, up from 24.7 per cent in 2011.
Mr Ong left for Jurong JC, where he adjusted better. “I definitely prefer the teaching style in JC because we get more attention from the teachers, and it’s easier to get help from them as well.
Thoughts
I think that both JC and Polytechnics are both viable options to pursue. Definitely, JC is still the fastest (2 years) and easiest way to enter University compared to Polytechnic.
However, I think the most important thing to ask is if the student is comfortable with the academic curriculum in secondary school. If he/she likes it, the student should continue to do well and enjoy a JC environment which is very similar. If the student finds that he or she already has a specific interest that he/she intends to pursue and is offered in poly, he/she should take that route.
What is not important is whether or not you have to wear school uniform, whether JC or polytechnics are more “slack”, or where your friends are going.
ethan wu ying tang 