Failure Rates at Year One in Junior Colleges

Mr Yee Jenn Jong asked the Minister for Education over the past three years (a) what is the failure rate at Year One promotion examinations in our Junior Colleges (JCs); and (b) of the two JCs with the highest failure rate at Year One promotion examinations (i) what are their failure rates and (ii) what percentage of their Year One students are retained or quit JC after failing the examinations.

Our JCs set their own examinations based on their respective student profiles, and develop their own criteria for progression to the second year of their JC course. Hence, there is no standardised measurement of pass/fail across the JCs in the first year promotional examinations.

Over the last three years, approximately 6% of first year JC students in each cohort failed some subjects in their promotional examinations and were retained.

The two JCs with the highest retention rates at JC1 averaged around 15% over the past three years.

At the JCs, students are counselled if the A-level course is not the most suitable pathway for them. MOE closely monitors progression rates of students as they progress from one stage of the education system to the next. We continuously seek to improve the educational career guidance we provide secondary students to help them make appropriate educational choices.