I really hate the term not ‘academically inclined’ that’s associated with ITE students
It used to be ‘It’s The End’ for acronym I.T.E itself, but I guess these days it sounds much better with not ‘academically inclined’ hur
Well that’s the general accepted term by the media, but every time I hear it … it sounds macam (like) we’re a bunch of lepers lah
And the term is reaffirmed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew himself, that’s it’s alright to use such a term, when he visited ITE Simei on Thursday.
Well quoting him he said, ITE are a place for “students who do not have academic aptitude”
I beg to differ lah
I believe those streaming into ITE are a bright bunch. They’re just not ‘motivated’ enough; the reason not being able to get into Polytechnics nor JCs
You don’t need to be a genius at Math or Literature but there’s means and ways to be decent enough results so as not to opt the ITE path
Coming from a former ITE graduate myself, it may sound blasphemy but I’m not trying to condemn the system.
ITE is still a viable technical choice for many, but the two years spent at ITE, for me well I felt I had lost two precious years while my other peers of my age had a huge head-start
Of course I learned plenty over there at ITE, but if it’s possible, I would not have gone there if my education option wasn’t so limited after my O’Level
After ITE, when I came to Polytechnic, it’s like ‘reliving’ and ‘regurgitating’ what I’ve learned in ITE.
I think Polytechnic should have some sort of a fast-track program that opt them from taking such modules, like what they’re doing in NTU/NUS for Polytechnic background graduates. Is there such programs now? Well during my time, there wasn’t …
Coming back to factors that might help dufus students like me to excel in their studies, here’s a few factors which I believe I lacked and needed back when I was in my secondary school days
Such below factors would probably lead me to better choices in my life.
I can now only look back and wonder the ‘what-if’
Home supervision
I really would love to have someone to talk and counseling me about my studies and career path back then but there’s a big difference between ‘being talked to’ and ‘talking with’ your child.
Parents, do not burden your kids with your own unfulfilled dreams and expectations. Children often pay the price for parents’ dreams
For me, my parents has never spoken to me much about my career nor studies. They left it to myself and being a dufus, I didn’t even know lower income people like us can have the opportunity to get to University
Well I’m not blaming my parents, they did the best they know how with what they have.
It’s all about knowledge, and knowledge is power. To know is essential.
Funnily I didn’t even know University existed back when I was in school, only until later stages in my life that I found out there’s something to look forward to beyond post-secondary education
Times are changing. Information is at the tip of your fingertips, so parents, read up!
So basically if you’ve kids, communication and supervision of their studies is ultimately important
Be updated of their progress and give them advice and options, to pursue their passion no matter in whatever field
Environment
I felt a compelling urge to make major ‘changes’ in my life when my parents moved to a ‘better’ place. It does makes a difference and I wished it had been sooner
I was from an ‘old-school’ bad neighborhood. It was really the dumps and there’s nothing much to look forward to other than creating trouble
It just ‘lifted’ me and open my eyes to new heighten possibilities in me.
In a new ‘encouraging’ environment, when I observed other kids being able to do such feats be it academically or professionally, I wanted to emulate that
Friends
Oh boy, parents do take note whom your children mixes around with
Previously mentioned, I was from a neighborhood with a lot of trouble kids, so I got into the mix too.
It was only after I moved places that I mellowed down
We thought we’re such a badass. We were cruel to old folks, girls, animals and a menace to everyone.
Looting, trashing places was the norm.
I thought it was fine to do so, as my friends was doing likewise too
Looking back I regret and cringe at some of the things I’ve done … Repent I have
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So there you go, kids if you’ve been accepted to JCs or Polytechnic, well good for you.
Those going to ITE, well the future is still bright
I’m Uncle Sha and yes I was from ITE and I’m not ‘academically inclined’
ITE isn’t like the old VITB (or whatever it was called). The standard of teaching and facilities and the range of courses are so much better these days, almost on par with Polys.
A lot of hardcore kids went there
Yeah I’m impressed by the ITE new facilities
Way to go bro!
I feel the same when you mentioned that those who go on to ITE are less motivated rather than not academically inclined.
I myself did not go thru a conventional educational route at all.
Remember I used to be the head-prefect and head-prefects are supposed to be pretty good in their studies as well? Well, I wasn’t and I did pretty badly and ended up going to a Pre-U. I opted to take a break instead and then took my A-Levels as a private candidate. Again, I did not fair that well. After NS, I opted for a correspondence course locally and got myself a bachelors in mass comm.
Right now, I’m doing fairly well in my business and other ventures. All these without the JC or Poly route or watever.
So I jus wanna shout-out to everyone saying that it’s not the education path that you take that will matter but rather how you make full use of your chances and how hard you work later on in life that determines it all.
Cheers!
I think both of us has unconventional path and at the end of the day, you’re right bro … it’s “how hard you work later on in life that determines it all”
You ever met the guys from the old track team?
I passed by our old school from time to time, and there’s a lot of changes there
It’s not really like keepin in touch but more of texting them once in a while to say hi and how’s life.
Randy just got married last dec. Jamil is another one I kept in touch wif but otherwise that’s more or less abt it. Yea i know wdl sec got lotsa changes. haven been back there for a while.
i do miss the old days and i still thought we could have done way better for the x-country in our graduating years but well…those were fantastic memories and i still have pics for those.
cheers!
Maybe a reunion one day eh bro!
You got pics? Is it possible you send over to my email? uncle[at]sha.tc
i think it’s just who u mix with and the (positive) support u get from home. sometimes parents just accept their kid’s fate… “oh, its the best he could do” without spurring him for better results.
i have to disagree that most who go to ITE are not academically inclined/unmotivated. i have a friend who quits poly for a course she much preferred in ITE. and I am sure there are many who are like her.
but i feel kan… if anything.. when a student graduates from ITE/Poly for Uni, they’re more mentally prepared and very much eager to learn… kan? because they know how hard it is to get to where they are today…
Parents play a big-role, so from my experience, I do hope I’ll be ok when I raise my kids when the time comes
Well that’s kinda odd, but I guess your friend seek a certain course not found in Poly
Hi
What I do not understand is why MM LKY is
bringing ITE students down by implying
that ITE is not ‘academically inclined.
I think he meant that ITE adopts more of a
‘skills inclined’ teaching system. But pray tell me
don’t polys educate students and impart skills as well?
Why would it be all right to use such a term!
Well there’s still a certain stigma attached to the brand name ITE … I personally think it should be renamed & get it as established as the Polys
to me,
any education is better than NO education…
u can end up in poly,
JC,
ite or where ever…
as long as you have that paper qualification,
you can venture out…
can’t say much abt those who don’t bother much abt their futures..
hhhmmmm…
and no…
5 O levels is not considered a paper qualification…
5 O level can still get jobs but job future prospects looks bleak
I may not really know the education system there. But if what your saying is true. …And the term is reaffirmed by Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew himself, that’s it’s alright to use such a term… Well quoting him he said, ITE are a place for “students who do not have academic aptitude 
i guess the problem with such mentality not only lies with the
friends, environment and homesupervision. But the gov too. How are the kids meant to feel motivated when not even the gov wants to support them?
And as they say, ITE is a more “hands-on” approach, know what you do.. Somehow, i feel, in the long run these kids who go to higher education from ITE are better off. Because intelligence is not everything, you may be academically smart, but are you street smart enough not to be cheated and ripped off? Theory teaches nothing that life really has to offer you because books can never accurately depict life.
Just because someone took longer to get there, doesnt mean that they do not have academic aptitude, nor will they be unsuccessful. Because success & Happiness cannot be measured by ones wealth and education or educational path, but the amount of satisfaction that one lives in day by day. As they say, where there is a will there is a way i guess :)
oopz that was long :|
You have the right mindset
Well such stigma is common as we know. And we’ve not even gone into stereotyping issues
All we can do personally do is hope for the best
Hows your Aussie slang :p
hellohello hi-hi. Sorry i didnt reply. i’ve been sick yet again. Either way, my slang is well, how should i put it, way beyond recognisable. Australians say i don’t sound Australian and Singaporeans say i don’t sound Singaporean. HAHA. i dont really know where i belong. i guess one day u can be the judge of that;)
Well just take care of that health
Yea one day I shall hear it for myself :)
Just dropping by to reinforce uncle sha statement that for us today, Information is really POWER. Make good use of it to aid your decisions making rather than wasting time online.
Back in 1997, I finished O Level, and was completely clueless from there. Like Uncle Sha, my parents did not point me the right path either. Me not blaming them cos they did not know any better either.
I had it harder. My O Level results were great whereby I could apply for top JC even if I wanted. But I did not because I was like a lost soul on my own – not sure what I should be pursuing. Went to SP eventuallywith 1 reason only: most of my friends were heading there. I made all the wrong decisions and they were the regrets I harbour until this day. I never look down on ITE, but I was the rare few that was so close to winding up in ITE due to my clouded decisions!
Many failures I faced and now I have resurfaced from them. Doing pretty well in life and business. Successfully prove to those who previosuly looked down and thought I was just good-for-nothing that I am more than that. I hope anyone in such situations will realise you definitely can too whatever your background is. All you need is make up your mind and go for it!