Statistics on Non-completion and Transfers Out of IP Course for Students Admitted under DSA Scheme
Ministry of EducationSpeakers
Summary
This question concerns an inquiry by Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan regarding the completion rates and academic success of students admitted to Integrated Programme (IP) schools via the Direct School Admission (DSA) Sports and Music tracks. Minister Chan Chun Sing responded that for recent graduating cohorts, approximately 300 to 450 students were admitted annually through these talent areas, with four in five completing the six-year course. Students who did not complete the IP transitioned to the GCE "O" level track, other post-secondary options, or relocated overseas. Minister Chan Chun Sing noted that almost all who sat for final examinations passed on their first attempt and were eligible for degree courses at local autonomous universities. This high success rate includes students admitted through talent areas in Sports and Games as well as Performing Arts, which encompasses Music.
Transcript
19 Mr Patrick Tay Teck Guan asked the Minister for Education since the inception of the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme, how many students who have been admitted via the DSA Sports and Music tracks into Integrated Programme (IP) schools (i) did not complete the entire six-year IP course (ii) were subsequently transferred out of the IP (iii) did not pass their GCE A-Level or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme or (iv) did not qualify for any of the local autonomous universities after the IP.
Mr Chan Chun Sing: The Direct School Admission (DSA) Scheme and the Integrated Programme (IP) were introduced in 2004. As there have been refinements to both schemes over the years and the number of IP schools has expanded significantly since then, it is more meaningful to look at the outcomes of more recent cohorts.
For the past five IP cohorts that have graduated, around 300 to 450 students were admitted each year through the DSA talent areas of Sports and Games, and Performing Arts which includes Music. Around four in five of them completed the IP within six years. The remaining students proceeded to other pathways, including transferring to the GCE "O" level track, pursuing other post-secondary education options, or relocating overseas.
Almost all of the IP students who sat for the GCE "A" Level or International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme examinations at the end of six years passed on their first attempt and were eligible for degree courses in our autonomous universities. This includes those who were admitted to the IP through DSA for Sports and Games, and Performing Arts.