Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament
Dr Wan Rizal, Jalan Besar GRC
Question
To ask the Minister for Education (a) how many ITE students are estimated to be able to qualify per year under the new Grade Point Average requirements for entry into polytechnics; (b) what are the anticipated implications of these changes on polytechnic enrolment and respective programmes; and (c) how much flexibility is allowed for students to choose a polytechnic course which is not mapped to their current ITE course.
Response
1. From the 2027 polytechnic intake, the minimum entry requirements (MERs) for ITE Higher Nitec progressors to polytechnics will be raised from net Grade Point Average (GPA) 2.0 to 2.5. We expect the number of ITE progressors to polytechnics to remain stable with the revised MERs, as most Higher Nitec students admitted to the polytechnics today have a net GPA of 2.5 and above. About 4,000 ITE graduates are expected to qualify for and progress to polytechnics each year, similar to today.
2. ITE students who are interested to progress to a polytechnic diploma not mapped to their ITE course may apply through the Early Admissions Exercise (EAE). The EAE allows students to seek admission based on aptitude and interest in their course of choice.