THE reason for the system is to allow students to stay focused on their O levels.

Pasir Ris Secondary School principal, Madam Cheng Hwee Yeang, said that the admission process - consisting of the Forms A to D - is a standard procedure which has been in place for 'many years'.

Madam Cheng, 39, who has been with the school since 2005 after the scheme was implemented, said: 'The basis for this system is to allow students to articulate their commitment and goal, so as to stay focused for the O levels, which will be more challenging than the N levels.

'In this case, their attitude and behaviour in school are extremely important as we do not want students to be distracted by disciplinary problems.

'It is never the school's intention to turn them away.'

The aim is that through the system, students can work together with their teachers, who are willing to support them.

NEGOTIABLE

Madam Cheng said although students have to get the signatures of every subject teacher to be promoted to Sec 5, the teachers are open to negotiations with the students.

So what happens if, like Sarah, they do not get along well with their home teachers? Would this affect the forms they receive?

Madam Cheng said: 'It's not true that whichever forms the students receive is entirely at the discretion of their home teacher.

'We also have the input from their subject teachers, the disciplinary committee and the dean.

'Although the home teachers play an important role, having made their own observations about the students, the ultimate outcome is a consensus, not a lone decision.'

As for the school's decision to inform the students about the Form A to D system only when they reach Sec 4, Madam Cheng said that the school emphasises values, proper conduct and grooming from Sec1.

She added: 'The fundamentals and school values must come first. When students are in Sec 3 or 4, at a time nearer to their examinations, this would then be a timely dissemination of information.'

She said the MOE is aware that such a system is in place.

As for the disciplinary action taken against students who have received Forms B to D, and the claim that students were not allowed to attend class for three weeks, Madam Cheng said: 'We want the students to be focused on their studies.

'A lot of self-discipline is required for them to do well for their O levels. The length of time is also negotiable between the students and the Discipline Master.

'Our ultimate goal as teachers is still to lead them to a polytechnic education.

'To do well in the O levels, they need greater commitment as it might be difficult for them to cope in terms of the short time span, especially with the O levels brought forward this year.'

Madam Cheng said of the 61 students who qualified for the Sec 5 course this year, there are 51 taking their O levels in the school.

This article was first published by The New Paper on Jan 14, 2008

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