24 January 2018
Due to the recent round of merger of junior colleges, existing JCs may expand their intake of ‘O’ level students for next year. For example, Anderson junior college may take in 800 to 850 students, instead of the current 750 or so.
Popular junior colleges offering the Integrated Programme may be asked to take in more students too.
The Ministry of Education has given the assurance that every student who qualifies for entry into junior college will have a place. There may be an increase in the cut-off points for some of the junior colleges.
To enter a junior college, a student’s L1R5 score – based on O-level results for English and five relevant subjects – must not exceed 20 points. To enter a polytechnic, a student needs a total score – based on the O-level results for English, two relevant and two best subjects – which does not exceed 26 points.
Some polytechnics also look for an applicant’s involvement in co-curricular activities, such as the drama club or debating club, when he applies for a course in hotel and tourism management or events planning.