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SINGAPORE – The application for the Direct School Admission Exercise (DSA) for admission to high schools and colleges in 2021 will open on Tuesday (May 12), with the online selection process in light of the Covid-19 situation.
In total, 146 high schools and 20 colleges (JCs) participate this year in DSA, which gives students the opportunity to enter a high school or JC based on their achievements and talents, in addition to their academic performance.
The DSA scheme recognizes talent in non-academic areas such as sports and the arts, and grants Elementary students 6 places in secondary schools before they sit for the Elementary School Completion Exam.
To ensure the safety of all students and school personnel in the face of the coronavirus pandemic, DSA schools will not conduct physical tests or personal interviews as part of their selection process, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a statement. Monday.
Instead, the interviews and selection process for shortlisted DSA candidates will be conducted through electronic modes (electronic modes) at the applicants’ elementary school for high school DSA applications, and at the high school of applicants for JC applications.
This ensures that there is no mix of students in all schools, and that safe distancing measures are followed.
Students will be provided access to video conferencing capabilities, as well as standardized and appropriate venues and equipment to ensure fairness in the selection process.
DSA schools will use electronic modes that students are already familiar with to avoid creating an additional workload for students.
This includes conducting videoconference interviews and acting assignments, where students can be asked to complete assignments, such as simple pencil sketches or musical performances, to demonstrate their attributes and potential in a specific talent area.
The format and homework will depend on the student’s talent area as well as the school’s selection criteria.
Ms. Lo Yen Nie, principal of Haig Girls School, said the elementary school will ensure that there are rooms for students to conduct their electronic interviews and that school staff are present to provide technical assistance if needed.
Other forms of support also include the loan of musical instruments for hearing, if necessary.
Additionally, mock interviews, which are generally conducted by the school to help its students build confidence by talking about their talents, will be moved virtually this year to ensure that they continue to receive the same level of support for their applications.
The Ministry of Education acknowledges that there may be limitations in evaluating students through electronic modes for certain talent areas, such as team sports, but assures students that schools will take a holistic approach to selection.
In addition to interviews and selection through electronic modes, schools will also consider other factors, such as student co-curricular activity (CCA) records and past achievements.
DSA schools may also seek additional input from the student’s current school.
Raffles Institution (RI) Director Frederick Yeo said that 15 of the 21 selected talent areas are sports such as hockey, judo and athletics.
As such, students whose talents reside in the sport would have to demonstrate their established relevant skills through the video interview, rather than physical tests.
In order to evaluate students comprehensively, he added that they will also be evaluated for soft skills, such as confidence and resilience that can be “gleaned” from the way they share their experiences.
RI will keep in touch with elementary schools to schedule interview spaces for shortlisted applicants.
The selection period for DSA high schools is from July 1 to September 14, while the period for DSA junior universities is from June 29 to September 4.
Education Minister Ong Ye Kung said last week that the DSA scheme will try to receive as many students as it did last year. Last year, it had 3,500 students who successfully applied to high schools through DSA.
Housewife Diane Wee, 45, whose 12-year-old daughter is studying at St Hilda’s Elementary School, will apply to the Tanjong Katong Girls School for DSA via navigation.
She is not concerned that this year’s application will go online, as her two older children had gone through the same process. “I will remind my daughter to relax and be herself when the time comes to prepare for the interview, which is a few months away.”
Cedar Girls High School student Althea Lim, 16, will use her strong academic results in subjects such as literature and history to apply to the Hwa Chong Institution Humanities Program, and prepared her portfolio of documents nearly a month ago. .
“I am glad that the apps have changed online in light of the Covid-19 situation as this ensures that people’s health, safety and comfort are prioritized,” he said.
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