In a recent press release, the Ministry of Education (MOE) unveiled significant changes to the entry requirements and pathways for students from the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) Higher Nitec courses. With the aim of ensuring ITE students can better cope with the academic challenges of polytechnic education, MOE will be implementing various measures starting from the 2027 polytechnic intake.
Raise in Minimum Entry Requirements for ITE Students Progressing to Polytechnic
Source: Institute of Technical Education
To enhance the academic preparedness of students transitioning to polytechnics, the minimum GPA requirement for progression will be raised from 2.0 to 2.5.
According to MOE, currently, most Higher Nitec students who progress to polytechnic already achieve a net GPA of 2.5 and above, making this adjustment a suitable step towards maintaining a high standard of education.
Guaranteed Admission for Top Achievers Among ITE Students
In a bid to reward academic excellence, MOE has decided to guarantee admission to polytechnics for students who attain a GPA of 3.5 and above.
This promising change will commence with the 2027 intake and is expected to benefit the top 10 per cent of Higher Nitec graduates, which translates to approximately 1,000 students across all courses offered at ITE.
Source: Institute of Technical Education
Phasing Out the Direct-Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP)
As part of the educational reforms, MOE has announced the discontinuation of the Direct-Entry Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP) from the 2028 ITE intake.
Currently, around 900 DPP graduates qualify for the polytechnic progression guarantee, but with the removal of stream labels under the Full Subject-Based Banding (Full SBB) system, this pathway will be discontinued for students.
Updated Admission Requirements for Direct Entry to Year 2 for ITE students
With the stream labels gone, MOE has revised the admission requirements for direct entry into Year 2 for all Higher Nitec courses for students.
As a result, they must now have achieved a G2 in all of their secondary school subjects. Furthermore, for those who have taken a combination of G3 and G2 subjects, they will need an aggregate score of 19 points or better for English Language, Mathematics, and their best 3 subjects (ELMAB3).
Work-Study and Technical Diplomas as Alternatives
To cater to the diverse interests and learning styles of students, MOE emphasizes the availability of alternative pathways.
In addition to the traditional polytechnic diploma, ITE students can choose to pursue the Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) and Technical Diploma (TD) routes.
Moreover, both pathways offer hands-on, apprenticeship-based training that equips ITE students with industry-relevant skills.
Increasing Opportunities for Work-Study and Technical Diplomas
To encourage more ITE students to opt for Work-Study and Technical Diplomas, MOE plans to expand the current capacity. Currently, both WSDip and TD pathways offer 1,400 places.
However, the authorities plan to increase this number to 1,800 places by 2025, providing even more ITE students with valuable opportunities for skill development and career advancement.
Conclusion
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Source: Institute of Technical Education
The Ministry of Education’s announcement of new entry requirements and pathways for ITE Higher Nitec students represents a forward-looking approach to education.
Moreover, by raising academic standards and offering diverse pathways for advancement, the MOE aims to ensure that every ITE student has access to the best opportunities to excel in their chosen fields and contribute to Singapore’s workforce and economy.
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