The Straits Times, 19 August 2004: Forum
"ARTS STUDENTS AT A DISADVANTAGE WHEN APPLYING TO ARTS FACULTY"
By EDWIN TAN CHOON BOON
As the new academic year starts in the National University of Singapore (NUS), one is reminded of the fierce competition fro places this year and its fallout.
As usual, hard-luck stories abound of arts-stream students from junior colleges failing to gain entry into the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), and their oft-heard cry that they have been deprived of places by science-stream students.
There is some merit in that assertion, due to the inequalities of the system. A cap should be placed on the number of science students in FASS.
To begin with, there are far more science students than arts students. Due to the constant proportion of grades awarded, regardless of stream, this means that it is more likely for a science student to attain a certain grade than for an arts student because of the former's far greater numbers.
This translates into a system whereby for every one arts student, there are many more science students who have equivalent or better grades. This is an inequality in the system, as two students of the same calibre may get different grades simply because they were in different streams.
Also, it s a fact that many science students did not put FASS as their first choice, but still got into the faculty, due to their better grades. In contrast, there are many arts students who put FASS as their first choice but failed to get in.
A faculty's worth is measured by its students, and students who sincerely want to be in FASS are likely to be of more value to the faculty. On the other hand, science students are disadvantage in FASS, because their lack a grounding in the humanities, are unsure of their aptitude in the humanities as well as their field of study, and may lack the passion if FASS was not their first choice. This combination makes for mediocrity.
Lastly, another inequality in the system is that arts students have far fewer choices of faculties than science students. Entry into FASS is generally easier than for other faculties, so if the arts student fails to get into FASS despite putting it as his first choice, there are precious few options for him. For many, entry into the polytechnics has become their last resort, meaning that their A-level education has been wasted.
In view of the inequalities, it is only fair to enact some corrective action.
"ARTS STUDENTS AT A DISADVANTAGE WHEN APPLYING TO ARTS FACULTY"
By EDWIN TAN CHOON BOON
As the new academic year starts in the National University of Singapore (NUS), one is reminded of the fierce competition fro places this year and its fallout.
As usual, hard-luck stories abound of arts-stream students from junior colleges failing to gain entry into the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS), and their oft-heard cry that they have been deprived of places by science-stream students.
There is some merit in that assertion, due to the inequalities of the system. A cap should be placed on the number of science students in FASS.
To begin with, there are far more science students than arts students. Due to the constant proportion of grades awarded, regardless of stream, this means that it is more likely for a science student to attain a certain grade than for an arts student because of the former's far greater numbers.
This translates into a system whereby for every one arts student, there are many more science students who have equivalent or better grades. This is an inequality in the system, as two students of the same calibre may get different grades simply because they were in different streams.
Also, it s a fact that many science students did not put FASS as their first choice, but still got into the faculty, due to their better grades. In contrast, there are many arts students who put FASS as their first choice but failed to get in.
A faculty's worth is measured by its students, and students who sincerely want to be in FASS are likely to be of more value to the faculty. On the other hand, science students are disadvantage in FASS, because their lack a grounding in the humanities, are unsure of their aptitude in the humanities as well as their field of study, and may lack the passion if FASS was not their first choice. This combination makes for mediocrity.
Lastly, another inequality in the system is that arts students have far fewer choices of faculties than science students. Entry into FASS is generally easier than for other faculties, so if the arts student fails to get into FASS despite putting it as his first choice, there are precious few options for him. For many, entry into the polytechnics has become their last resort, meaning that their A-level education has been wasted.
In view of the inequalities, it is only fair to enact some corrective action.
posted by ah lum @ 3:49 AM
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