Statistics on Students who are Unsuccessful in Their Applications in Joint Admission and Direct Admission Exercises

Ms Nadia Ahmad Samdin asked the Minister for Education over the past five years, what is the percentage of students who are looking to progress from ITE to polytechnic through the (i) Joint Admission Exercise and (ii) Direct Admission Exercise are unsuccessful in their applications.

The Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates can progress to a polytechnic diploma through three routes. First, applying through the Joint Polytechnic Admissions Exercise (JPAE), based on their academic results; or through the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE), based on their demonstrated aptitude and interest; or through the Direct Admissions Exercise (DAE), if they have relevant work experience. ITE graduates also have the option to progress to a diploma through ITE's Work-Study Diploma (WSDip) and Technical Diploma (TD).

The success rates for ITE graduates applying to polytechnics have remained strong. One in two ITE applicants were offered a place through JPAE and one in three ITE applicants were offered a place through EAE. Of the remaining ITE upgraders who were not admitted through JPAE or EAE, about one in 10 ITE applicants secured an offer through DAE.

In all, about 5,800 ITE graduates progressed to a polytechnic full-time diploma or ITE diploma programme this year. This makes up almost one in two of the ITE graduating cohort. The Government will continue to support the upgrading aspirations of ITE graduates.