Why am I doing this?
1. Cause I am very free (weekends are carefree when you are on internship)
2. to share some of my views and experience and
3. I decided to settle this once and for all and save people time from complaining about the government.
Alright, I am a year 3 student, and yes, I have already paid the 'large' amount of transport fees. Therefore, what I am about to say may not mean a lot.
But still, this is for the few who can find this and are still studying in a polytechnic.
Alright right now some polytechnics students are upset about paying S$30~ (S$60 if you take the bus and MRT) more compared to their JC peers for transport. ( in total, 30*36months = $1080 more, if you need to take train and bus, you might not be walking enough/you chose the school/location is not MOE related, I think)
So, here are some reasons the transport fees is not a big deal
1. Quantum of 'Investment' from our government
Alright if you still do not know, you(your parents) are paying 2.2k per academic year, when it is supposed to be almost around 18k without tuition grant. Honestly, I have not checked out Junior College fees, but my gut feel tells me that the amount should be lesser.
So you(your parents) are already saving 12k a month, seriously, what are you complaining about?
2. Quantum of financial aid - for poor students
Financial aids in polytechnic ( I am a Ngee Ann student ) are MORE than JC.
The MOE website seems to suggest, with around $500 per cap income, you get 750/yr.
In Ngee Ann, with $500 we qualify for 2 busary, MOE and CDC, giving us 900 * 2 = 1800/yr.
That is A LOT of difference.
3. quantum of scholarships
In polytechnics its the amount of your tuition, 2.2k, maybe more of 'book' money
In JC flat 750
Once again huge difference.
4. Internship
Many of the internship comes with compensation, meaning that you are allowed to earn money while studying, the amount can vary, 400/mth to 1000/mth.
5. School events/career opportunities
Need extra money? Commit a few hours on a school marketing event ( Open house, etc ) earn up to 10/hr, or work for the school by mending their facilities ( gyms ) and earn around 5-6/hr?
And people, being a student myself, I have already thought of many excuses (prices of food/ buy clothes to wear print notes etc etc) All those are pretty much lifestyle related, and I have not thought of any good argument, so why not stop complaining, and get back to projects?