I REFER to the report 'HR managers say they wouldn't hire fast-track course graduates' (my paper, Jan 28).

Education in Singapore has become increasingly competitive.

It is now nothing more that regurgitating facts for the sole purpose of a paper chase.

The route of education is long and tedious, but I think it is extremely unfair to judge the quality of an educational programme based only on its duration.

I am a student at a private school doing my diploma and the course is conducted with much professionalism.

Recently, I received a phone call telling me that I had been chosen to work for a company.

When I told them I was a local student pursuing a private diploma, they hung up.

I was shocked by the discrimination.

Perhaps, the human resource departments should find out how lessons at private schools are conducted before they form negative opinions on private school graduates.

After all, there is more than one route to obtaining a quality education, and the conventional route may not be the one for all.

A shorter duration does not necessarily compromise quality.

Ms Koh Si Ying Christine