Originally posted by Rock^Star:
A huge number of polytechnic students have the criteria to enter JCs and subsequently, universities.
With all respect, the same cannot be said for ITE students.
Only the cream (5%?) of poly students may study at uni. Compare that to 80% of JC students making the cut.
Then when poly grads work in the civil service, the pay difference between uni and poly grads is huge. Prospects too. That doesn't mean that the poly grad is less capable.
Isn't this major flaw in the education system?
Hmm...
ITE is still undergoing changes, so I won't say if ITE students should be classed together as polytechnic students.
For the present, we could say that, future, I wouldn't dare say so.
As for the polytechnic and university graduates difference, it's already great enough. Most university graduates, as pointed out, are most likely to come from a JC. 2 years in JC gave them soft skills. 4 years in university taught them theory, including practicals.
When university graduates graduate, they could find a job that requires both their hands-on experience and their soft skills.
On the other hand, a polytechnic graduate most likely have more hands-on experience than anything. While no doubt some could write well, majority I've met can't write as well.
The ability to write well is important in some jobs, especially a technical one. Nobody wants to read a report that is filled with jargon. And if you have a higher up that could understand no jargon, it's even worse.
I have no idea what people does in civil service, but I believe that they do write a lot, which probably results in such a great difference.
Maybe it's time for our polytechnics to take a look at their modules offered and see how they could improve it. Report writing and other soft skills need not to be an extra module, but be incorporated into their modules.