Get a JC diploma

I do believe that a JC diploma is a good way to differentiate the top amongst the best. It is given to the top 250 scorers of the year’s cohort amongst the thousand students in the school. A student can be smart, but neglects his health and physical self in order to score well for the exams, yet another excels in sports and did just as well. Who would be a better choice for top Universities? Or a student scrapes an A and another scored perfect. Who would be a better choice? A student could also have fantastic results, yet with a bad holistic record and does not contribute to the school or the society and might have a bad character. The JC diploma thus is able to reward those who excel in both academic and non-academic, or differentiate those with higher EQ and AQ then others. It would help motivate students to not only focus on their academics, but also to concentrate on their co-curriculum activities or other leadership skills to help others. It would indeed help top universities select students who might have scored equally well, and remove some competition over the limited spaces in top international universities, and also help them to select students, instead of creating another entrance test.

I do not believe that a replacement of diplomas for the A levels is a good idea. It might not be recognized in all top international universities and if different schools have different examinations, it would be hard for the universities to differ the intellectual abilities of the students. The very first school in Singapore which has started this system is the NUS high school of math and science. The students are awarded a diploma if they successfully completed the 6 year course and it prepares them to enter Singaporean Universities, mainly the NUS. However, it is not recognized by the world and would certainly reduce the student’s choices of overseas universities if they plan to study overseas. Also, what concerns the students and their parents is: what if the student does not pass the final year examinations? How would the student’s future be affected? Also, one must always think of those students who are unable to even cope with the curriculum, let alone ace it. It could have a disastrous effect on students who are unable to handle all their commitments at the same time, and might struggle to adapt to their changing school life.

However, it could also put on less stress on the students since they are always studying for the A levels and might neglect other aspects. The replacement would free up some time to build up their holistic and character development, which would be highly favourable to top universities.