10 January 2022
Recently, Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman announced that polytechnics will explore having a more flexible curriculum for selected students who would benefit from spreading out their learning over more than three years.
It is hoped that greater flexibility will assist students who need more time to complete their courses due to various reasons such as health issues, without being stigmatized as being academically weaker.
Ngee Ann Polytechnic principal and chief executive Lim Kok Kiang said students who wish to pursue their passions may also get the option of taking a gap semester. In addition, Temasek Polytechnic principal and chief executive Peter Lam said a flexible curriculum also includes allowing students to take fewer modules instead of the usual five or six modules per semester.
To better support a diverse range of learners, Republic Polytechnic principal and chief executive Yeo Li Pheow said the polytechnic will be piloting a customised study programme this year where students with different learning abilities can opt for a more flexible load during the semester.