I wonder why. Aren't the S papers offered only to the more able students and aren't superior grades an indication of better academic ability or even prowess? Isn't competition for a place in a course based on exam results in the main?

By not taking into consideration the S-paper results (in the name of fairness to the other applicants?), it is tantamount to cutting down to size the better students in the competition for places.

I believe a huge amount of time is spent by the teachers and students who attempt the S papers. If they are of no value in applying for places in the local public universities, I really wonder what the scheme is for. I hope the Ministry of Education (MOE) will clarify.

The MOE has schemes to encourage and reward students for reaching higher levels of achievement. For example, there is a system of 'bonus points' for good results in O-level Higher Mother Tongue that a student can use when applying for junior college.

A similar scheme can easily be set up for the S papers.

Tan Tor Seng