Get a JC diploma

So how viable is JC Diploma in choosing the elites?

I agree to a certain extent that the JC Diploma is a viable tool to pick the cream from the crop. In the current era, many students are acing their A-levels. They know what to mug for and are now much better prepared for it. Percentage of As are increasing every year and with people getting them all the time, we are unable to distinguish the best from the better. I feel that the A-levels only gauge how well you are able to memorize concepts, etc but it does not mean you can apply these concepts in life. Although the A-levels have introduced contrasting subjects like General Paper, Project Work and the optional offering of subjects at H3 level, it is still unable to determine the best because students could still be memorizing in general papers and in project work for example, many are acing it and you cannot determine whose A-star project is better then.

The JC Diploma hence strives to differentiate these better students as to get one, students must not only have great grades but also display a wider interest outside their studies. These students not only have excellent academics, electives, and research activities, but also participation and achievements in areas outside of academics like character, leadership, etc. This hence could help to draw a line between the best from the better and recognize the real elites.

However, with the introduction of this JC Diploma, students would definitely be excited to achieve that award and by limiting the number of awardees, people might resort to underhand means to achieve it. Besides, students would also be developing themselves according to the rubric for JC Diploma just for the sake of getting it. We are not grooming passionate leaders from this which passion I think is one of the most vital component of an exemplary leader. Moreover, despite its potential to distinguish the good ones, it could affect the weaker students' confidence and self-esteem when faced with such high expectations/criteria for an award which only the strong ones could get. However, not forgetting the motivational aspect in it but considering those who take it as a threat or an impossible mission, it would affect them negatively.

Considering both sides, I feel that the cons outweighs the pros. When we plan for something, we always strive to strike a balance in those who do and don't benefit, and even including those who could suffer losses from it. In this case, I think that it is unbalanced and bears an unfairness to those who do not benefit. However true that those who works hard have the right to reap what they sow and that deeming others being unfairly treated is ridiculous, we still have to consider the other negative factors stated previously.

Moreover, if we accept this, in the future when many can achieve the JC Diploma, it will be hard to differentiate the elites and more "in-between"s will be proposed again. We are not solving the core of the problem whereas we are just procrastinating the development of our youths, by including such unnecessary politics to them to fight for the awards with one another. We should just let this matter rest and continue with our current system of just O'levels and A'levels, it is one's freedom to beef up their portfolios and achievements themselves, performing well in interviews and strive to be in the best books in the interviewer's eyes.

An extra diploma is unnecessary and I think that current system is perfectly fine.