Is it fair for talented pupils get a bigger chance at direct entry to sec 1?


Under this year’s Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme, 9 more schools have been added to the existing 47 schools that are part of the scheme. About 3500 places, 7 per cent of the total sec 1 cohort can be admitted through DSA. This is 500 more places than last year. The idea is to promote holistic education and give schools more flexibility.

This could be seen as an incentive to the talented pupils, to be recognised for their talents. This gave students talented in fields like sports or the arts an advantage over ordinary students. They have what it takes to be in the school, be it academically or in any other ways. Hence, they deserve to be allowed to enter the school with a lower cut off point as they have taken effort of their studies to concentrate on the niche sports or arts.

It would then be a win-win situation for the pupil and the school. Schools can recruit pupils who are talented in its niche areas to maintain the school’s standard. The school is tapping on the student to keep up the school’s good work in a certain area. At the same time, the student is benefiting from the school’s good teachers, improving academically.

However, others may find it an unfair system. Students who are admitted through DSA are usually weaker academically. They deprive the better students of a place in the school. Is it fair? I would counter argue that it is the freedom of the school to choose whom it wants to admit. It is also not only a measure of how academically capable are you. As the government emphasizes, it should be a holistic development and obviously average pupils who are talented would be preferred to pupils with plain good results.

It can also be argued that this will only benefit the school, not the student, as he struggles to cope. His academic ability may be a problem in his four years stay in the school. Is this environment going to be healthy for the children? I would say this is going to be considering factor for the student and his parents even before applying for the programme. If the student is confident of coping with his studies and is prepared to work hard, it is not going to be a big problem. I am sure the school will also try its best to help the pupils.

Hence, I would say that it is fair for talented pupils to be admitted to better schools through DSA. It is a big step taken by the government towards encouraging a more holistic education system.