Where Can You Go To After The GCE O-Level?
The results of the 2008 Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Ordinary Level (GCE O-Level) Examination were released this afternoon Monday, 12 January 2009 at 2:00 pm.
School candidates collected their results from their schools.
Private candidates have accessed their results through the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board website from 2:00 pm this afternoon too. They will also be informed of their results by post.
Students can apply for Junior Colleges (JCs), Millennia Institute (MI), Polytechnics and the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) via both the Joint Admissions Exercise (JAE) and the Joint-Polytechnic Special Admissions Exercise (JPSAE) using their GCE O-Level results.
Were you one of the school candidates who have just received your GCE O-Level results?
For those of you who said yes:
Were you excited and happy or were you worried that you have to leave your school which has been sheltering and pampering you for at least the last four years and now you have to fend for yourself?
Have you decided what to do with your future?
Everyone knows that it’s a hard fact of life that getting at least a diploma is important to survive in this modern-day society.
So for those of you who had good results, I give you my heartiest congratulations. I’m quite sure you will be looking forward to take on the next challenge.
For those of you with average or below average results, don’t worry you can still do very well in life.
Have you thought about the private education institutions?
Do you know about the benefits which higher education in private institutions can bring to you?
It is a great complementary path to the mainstream institutions of higher learning. It is the bridge that covers the gap for many, many people.
Have you met with or spoken to people from overseas such as those from China, Vietnam and Malaysia?
Do you know that most of the people there will take their time to attend education fairs and seminars?
Do you know that even the parents of high achievers will take the time to explore options, before they decide what suits their children the most.
In fact, earlier this year, when we were giving seminars in Malaysia some parents there would bring their children who were in secondary three or four to attend our seminars to gain awareness, so that they would have gained exposure to a wide variety of options and finally making an educated and satisfying choice when the crunch time comes.
Good for them, and so should you. Please don’t settle for less.
The unfortunate situation in Singapore is that when faced with examination results that are not good enough to allow the student to enter the mainstream Junior College (JC) or Polytechnic route, most Singapore students and parents would just take whatever that is offered to them-namely the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) route.
They do not seem to think it important enough to research further into other alternatives, and compare the advantages and disadvantages before making a decision.
I am not saying that ITE education is not good, it has after all produced the main bulk of Singapore’s skilled work force.
And some educators and parents would tell you that from ITE you can also go on to a Polytechnic to get a diploma in Singapore.
But have you thought about that? How many ITE graduates can go to a polytechnic? Presently only the top 10% or so can go straight to a polytechnic.
Isn’t that a really small number when compared to the numbers that cannot move on to higher education year after year?
If you are one of those who did not achieve very good results, it is not all doom and gloom-don’t despair. I have come across many who have done well by taking alternative routes.
Some have gotten a diploma / degree with a private education institution and some have discovered their passion in life and gone on to excel in it.
What are some important aspects to watch out for when exploring doing a diploma / degree with a private institution?
- Does the qualification cover a wide enough field, and in an industry that is blooming and growing, so that you will have wide job demands?
- Is the qualification globally recognised so that you have a big choice of good universities or countries of employment?
- How is the course conducted?
- On what criteria are the lecturers selected?
- Is the course and institution registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE) and accredited by CaseTrust?
- Does the institution have some good testimonies. Of course complaints are common whether in mainstream schools or private schools. Look at some of the students’ forums and you will notice that even the National University of Singapore (NUS) is not spared.
If you have the determination and discipline and can take challenges, Harriet Career Consultancy offers a Work And Study In Singapore Programme that might just be exactly what you are looking for.
If you are accepted into this Work & Study Programme you will find that you will come out two years ahead of your peers because not only will you get a Diploma that’s globally recognised, you will also have a solid two years of work experience.
If you ask any Human Resource (HR) Manager, they will tell you that given the choice between a candidate (A) with a diploma and another candidate (B) with a diploma and two years’ experience, the HR Manager will hire candidate B.
So enrolling into the Work And Study Programme will put you in good stead for a promising career prospect and a bright future.
If you have been condemned to the Normal Technical Stream or if you have not done well in your O-levels remember this:
Winston Churchill failed sixth grade. He was subsequently defeated in every election for public office until he became Prime Minister at the age of 62. He later wrote, “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never - in nothing, great or small, large or petty - never give in except to convictions of honor and good sense. Never, Never, Never, Never give up.” (his capitals, mind you)
So as long as you don’t give up on yourself, and can be disciplined and determined to succeed, you can get a Diploma and eventually move on to a Degree!
And it doesn’t have to cost you a bomb too. The actual cost varies, depending on what you choose!
So be encouraged!
Click here if you want more information or to register for a
Diploma In Singapore.
Click here if you want more information or to register for the
Work And Study Seminar.