After O Level- Poly or JC?

22 Sep After O Level- Poly or JC?

Have you just completed your N or O Level? Are you wondering whether to join a junior college (JC) or a polytechnic (poly)? It is a daunting decision to make, right? But the best answer is understanding what is the best path for you. What will make you achieve your full potential?

After you receive your O level results, sit down as a person, talk to your parents and close friends too to help you. Don’t be in a rush to choose poly or JC because you might shut your dreams. Look at the career path you want to take and your ability.

A comparison between Poly and JC

1. Chances of university admission

After joining a poly or a JC in Singapore, you proceed to the university once you hit the pass mark. The two levels have different chances of admission to the university. Be aware of the opportunity in each level.

For polytechnic, the chance of joining the university is about 17%. This is based on your cumulative GPA which is out of 4.0. For each module, the different grades offer you different GPAs and the different modules have a different number of credit units.

The chance of joining a local university as a JC graduate in Singapore is higher. It is about 70%. It is based on your Rank Points which is out of 90.

2. Education path

After you complete your poly or JC education, you either choose to join a university or start working. It is wise to know the career path you want to take because it guides you on choosing the best for you.

If you want to join the university to pursue a degree, it is advisable to join a junior college. This is because the chances of getting an opportunity after JC are higher than those of a poly.

After your poly education, you can join a university but it is not compulsory. You can secure yourself a decent job with your diploma. Usually, diploma holders have an average starting salary of $2100 whereas for degree holders it is about $3300.

3. Amount of workload

Both the poly and JC have different teaching styles that determine the workload for you. Also, the assessment style at each level is different. The amount of leisure time you have as a poly student is different from that of a JC student.

For the JC, you spend a lot of time in school doing your studies. Most students consider junior college as an upgraded O level with a harder curriculum. You have to spend an average study time of 40 hours per week studying for the mega A-Level examination.

In polytechnic, the pressure for studies is a bit low. The timetable is more flexible and you can even have days without lessons at school. The average study time for you per week is 25 hours for a poly curriculum.

4. Curriculum

JC and poly in Singapore embrace different curriculum styles. It is good for you to decide which one will allow you to achieve your dream career path. Settle with what makes you the best in life.

The JC curriculum is crafted by the Ministry of Education in Singapore. As a result, it is broad and more academic-focused. You pursue standard subjects, compulsory project work, and mother tongue if you failed Higher Mother Tongue in secondary school.

For polytechnic, the curriculum depends on the school and it is industry-relevant. It focuses on learning life skills and other development skills. The curriculum offers a fixed course of study, projects depend on your course of study and there is no need for Mother Tongue.

5. Discipline

Every learning institution enforces discipline to students differently. Some have more strict rules and regulations than others. The same case applies to poly and JC.

In Junior College, the rules and regulations you are expected to follow are strict just like those in secondary school. You have to wear a school uniform, have a black neat hair and no accessories. Attendance to school is compulsory and there is a fixed arrival time every morning.

For poly, there are almost no limits which mean freedom. There is no set dress code for you and you can put on the fancy hair of your choice. You attend school when you have lessons. Also, the attendance rate required is about 75%.

6. Duration

Each level in your education path takes a different duration to complete. Your secondary school, JC, poly, and A level takes different periods to achieve your best.

If you choose to join a JC, you will take two years in school. You have a standard June to December holiday to relax. Also, an internship opportunity is available for A level graduates. The program is offered by government organizations looking for potential individuals.

You spend three years studying in a polytechnic. In one academic year, you have 18 weeks for a holiday to refresh and come back. Internship opportunities are offered during your course study. They take between 4 to 6 months to complete.

7. Cost

When it comes to school fees, poly and JC differ. Junior colleges are usually less expensive compared to polytechnics. Also, private schools are more expensive because they don’t receive much government help.

In junior college, you pay $6 per month plus a miscellaneous fee of $13 per month. The fee is pocket-friendly because JC in Singapore is public under the ministry of education.

The cost of polytechnic education is a bit higher. Mostly, you pay about $2900 per year as the tuition fee. For the international student, the cost goes up to $10,400 per month.

As you sit down to choose which path to follow to achieve the best, consider the following key points;

• Do you have a specific and clear career goal that you want to achieve?
• Do you want to join a university?
• Can you handle more workload than that of O Level?
• Which mode of learning and assessment do you prefer?

When you answer the questions truthfully without any influence, you can make the right choice of joining a poly or a JC.