Introduction:

Education policies play a crucial role in shaping the experiences and outcomes
of students in Singapore (Ng, 2023). The Singapore education system is known
for its rigorous standards and high expectations, particularly in junior colleges
(JCs) where students prepare for the highly competitive A-Level examinations.
This essay aims to examine the profound impact of education policies on JC
students and delve into the challenges they face. By evaluating the effects of
these policies, we can propose recommendations to enhance the Singapore
education system and better support the holistic development of JC students.

Stakeholder Profile:
To gain comprehensive insights into the experiences of JC students, an in-depth
interview was conducted with an 18-year-old student studying in a JC (Ng,
2023). The interviewee, a science stream student, represents a significant
portion of JC students and provides valuable perspectives on the impact of
education policies from his own experiences and observations.

Key Findings from Research:

Recent modifications to the A-level grading system, according to a piece by Ng
Wei Kai (2023) in The Straits Times, are intended to lessen academic stress and
promote the "joy of learning." Although these adjustments are well-
intentioned, the respondent raised worries that they might not completely
reduce student competitiveness. Kids like him still have a lot of work to do as
they compete to be the best in various areas to obtain admission to prominent
colleges, despite the reduction in tests and exams being a step in the right
direction. The piece also emphasizes the pervasive competitive atmosphere
among JC students, which persists despite modifications to the A-level system.
Students now place a greater emphasis on extracurricular activities and
portfolio building in addition to academic achievements to stand out from the
rising pool of applicants. While these endeavours could appear to be
advantageous, they can raise stress levels and lead to the formation of limited
notions of success (Ng, 2023).
Positively, the alterations introduced to the A-level system, including as the
goal of measures like the re-scoring of project work and the abolition of JC mid-
year exams is to give students more opportunity to explore their interests
without feeling overly concerned about their performance. These
modifications are intended to promote a more well-rounded educational
experience and inspire students to pursue their interests outside the realm of
traditional academics (Ng, 2023). Yet additional research must be done to
thoroughly assess how well these adjustments will work to lessen rivalry and
encourage a more all-encompassing approach to education.
Policy Recommendations:
Based on the key findings and the article by Ng Wei Kai (2023), several policy
recommendations can be proposed to address the challenges faced by JC
students and improve the Singapore education system:

Firstly, promoting well-being and mental health support should be prioritized.

Implementing comprehensive well-being programs in JC schools, including
counselling services, stress management workshops, and platforms for open
dialogue about mental health, can greatly assist students in coping with
academic pressure and prioritizing their overall well-being.

Secondly, introducing greater flexibility in the curriculum is essential. JC

students should be provided with more opportunities to pursue
interdisciplinary interests and develop a broader range of skills. Offering
elective modules or cross-stream subject combinations will empower students
to tailor their education to their individual interests and strengths, fostering a
more diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Thirdly, reassessment of the streaming policies is necessary. Providing JC

students with more options and opportunities to explore different subjects
before committing to a specific academic track can help them make informed
decisions about their academic paths. Delaying the streaming process or
offering a wider range of subject combinations will enable students to discover
their passions without feeling rushed into a particular specialization.
Interviewee's Responses:
During the interview, the 18-year-old student provided valuable insights into
the challenges and impact of education policies on JC students (Ng, 2023). He
emphasized concerns about the new A-level scoring system, stating that it may
only reduce stress to a certain extent. The interviewee also emphasized the
competitive nature of the education system, where students feel pressured to
excel in various subjects and build impressive portfolios to secure university
admissions.

Conclusion:
In conclusion, education policies have a big impact on Singapore's JC students'
experiences and wellbeing. Although recent adjustments to the A-level grading
system are meant to lessen stress, worries about rivalry and the pressure to
perform well continue. The Singapore educational system may better support
the all-around development of JC students by putting into practice policy
proposals such as promoting well-being, providing flexible curriculum options,
revaluating streaming policies, and improving teacher-student communication.
To ensure that these regulations adequately address the difficulties faced by JC
students and foster an atmosphere that supports their overall development
and success, it is crucial to keep assessing and improving them.
References:
Ng, W. K. (2023, March 8). Changes to A-level scoring system may reduce stress
but not competition: Students, observers. The Straits Times. Retrieved from
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/changes-to-the-a-level-scoring-
system-may-reduce-stress-but-not-competition-students-and-observers
A-level results to be released on Feb 17 at 2.30pm
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/a-level-results-
release-set-for-feb-17
Fourth content-based A-level subject to be dropped from university admission
score
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/politics/fourth-content-based-a-level-
subject-to-be-dropped-from-university-admission-score
Creating more interest in education
https://www.straitstimes.com/opinion/st-editorial/creating-more-interest-in-
education