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MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:03 am
by jtoh
ST Forum 23.12.11
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WE WOULD like to correct the perception that the introduction of the Integrated Programme (IP) has reduced opportunities for those not selected for the programme after the PSLE.

Popular schools and junior colleges have always seen more applicants than places, resulting in higher cut-off points. For example, before the IP started in 2004, the cut-off point for Raffles Institution (RI) was around 260, similar to what it is currently.

We have expanded the enrolment of the JCs offering IP. The number of students entering these JCs from secondary schools not offering IP has increased from some 2,100 previously to over 2,300 today.

These students make up about 50 per cent of the cohort in the JCs offering IP, comparable to the proportion before IP started.

The commentary ('The runaway IP train'; Dec 14), noted that only some 500 places were set aside for O-level students entering Hwa Chong Institution (HCI) and RI at JC1. We would like to point out that prior to IP, only 400 of HCI and RI's students (at JC1) hailed from schools not offering the IP today.

There is now greater diversity in the JCs offering IP, as they are accepting O-level students from more secondary schools. Their students used to come from some 50 schools but now almost 70 schools are represented. This is partly because students from other IP schools no longer compete for admission at JC1.

Ultimately, we strive to maximise each child's potential, regardless of which school he or she attends.

The IP should not be seen as the only pathway to success. For the majority of our students, the O-level pathway will continue to be the most suitable preparation for post-secondary education.

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 9:26 am
by ngbrdad
The ST article stated that top 10% of PSLE cohort get selected for IP which is inaccurate.
Lowest COP for IP this year was RVH at 254, which make it around top 6-7% only.

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 10:35 am
by jtoh
ST reporters' info not as updated as ours. :)

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 1:29 pm
by WeiHan
ngbrdad wrote:The ST article stated that top 10% of PSLE cohort get selected for IP which is inaccurate.
Lowest COP for IP this year was RVH at 254, which make it around top 6-7% only.
But you see, for SAP schools like RVH, students has 1-3 points for taking HCL. For Nanyang Girls, their affiliated school can get in at 250.

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:06 pm
by Zhuge
ngbrdad wrote:The ST article stated that top 10% of PSLE cohort get selected for IP which is inaccurate.
Lowest COP for IP this year was RVH at 254, which make it around top 6-7% only.
i think the 10% figure was given by MOE previously.
and not all who are 254 and above opted for IP too.

how many IP students - can do a count..
ri - 400 students
hci - 400 students..
and so on...add up the total, then divide by the cohort no x 100%

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:13 pm
by Snow Crystal
MOE message is: aiyo, anyway before IP starts, those who can make it to top JCs are also mainly the kids from those few top schools and very few from outside these top schools. Donno what the fuss is ..... :shrug: haha...layman interpretation

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:23 pm
by WeiHan
Snow Crystal wrote:MOE message is: aiyo, anyway before IP starts, those who can make it to top JCs are also mainly the kids from those few top schools and very few from outside these top schools. Donno what the fuss is ..... :shrug: haha...layman interpretation
I also don't know what the fuss is about. Actually I agree with MOE that it is even easier to get into RJC and HCI(JC). The number of vacancies reserved for O level track has increased. Furthermore, many other schools that offer their own IP, no longer feed students to these two top JCs.

Another point to note which nobody else raised is that I think there is a grade inflation. A1 grade is so much easier to get nowaday than in the past. So there is actually nothing to boast about geting 6 points (excluding CCAetc...).

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:27 pm
by MandyMummy
WeiHan wrote: Another point to note which nobody else raised is that I think there is a grade inflation. A1 grade is so much easier to get nowaday than in the past. So there is actually nothing to boast about geting 6 points (excluding CCAetc...).
Ya, cannot imagine the quality of A1 grade of O levels when all the IP schools are up and running. :evil:

Re: MOE's response to the ST article on IP

Posted: Fri Dec 23, 2011 7:57 pm
by Snow Crystal
WeiHan wrote: Another point to note which nobody else raised is that I think there is a grade inflation. A1 grade is so much easier to get nowaday than in the past. So there is actually nothing to boast about geting 6 points (excluding CCAetc...).
Exactly. As i mentioned in elsewhere thread, the O level kid in top JC ,who wrote to Forum to complain about treatment of O level kids in IP, scored many A1s which would not have been achievable had there been no IP. In fact, thanks to IP, he can get the A1s and go into good JC :slapshead: