Eunice Tan
Is Millennia Institute the ITE of JCs?
Data Story | June 2019
3 past and present Millennia Institute students share their personal experiences in taking the route less travelled in Singapore’s education system.
Muhammad Mikhail Bin Azmi (left) with his two close friends in Millennia Institute.
Photo by: Muhammad Mikhail Bin Azmi
When Muhammad Mikhail received his O-Level results, he knew his dream of entering Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP), was over. He failed Mathematics.
His principal then convinced him to enter Millennia Institute (MI), where he could retake his O-Levels in his first year of study. He was hesitant initially due to the longstanding stigma against MI where only one-third of the cohort enters university.
“When you’re there you realize it’s kinda true. A lot of people end up dropping out or retaining. I heard that it’s like the ITE [Institute of Technical Education] for JCs [Junior Colleges].”
Some staff “kept talking about how MI isn’t that good and about the high retention rate” which demoralized him more.
According to a survey done by The Ministry of Education, in 2017, the total enrolment for Year 1, 2 and 3 MI students was 535, 327 and 271 respectively.
https://public.flourish.studio/visualisation/368376/
MI is currently the only Centralized Institute (CI) in Singapore. Formed in 2004, it offers Art, Science and Commerce streams for A Levels in a 3-year duration.
Additionally, Mikhail failed his Mathematics again at the end of Year 1 and lost motivation. Even though he failed, he improved by a grade in Mathematics and was able to join NP’s Early Childhood Education.
However, his year in MI was not wasted.
“It was life changing and eye-opening,” he said. He participated in performances for Malay Dance and had a group of friends he could call “family”.
He did not let the school’s reputation get to him either. “To me, it’s mentality. Whether you want to take the opportunity given to you… to prove to people that MI is not the ITE of JCs.”
His future plans? Complete his diploma and enter the Early Childhood sector, a difficult industry for males to succeed in.
Nursyaza Nadya in India for a Millennia Institute trip
Photo by: Nursyaza Nadya
Unlike Mikhail, Nursyaza Nadya, 18, chose to go to MI. When she discovered MI, she knew the extra year for A-Level preparation would benefit her but her mother was doubtful.
She said: “She (her mother) read negative reviews online, how students aren’t motivated and the chances of the students going to a uni is very low compared to those in JC.”
Nadya convinced her otherwise and says she prefers the longer route as it allows “more time to go through [topics] in-depth”.
One cannot assume MI is easier than JC though, because the teachers “won’t spoon feed you”. Students still have to find their own study resources and initiate consults.
Additionally, Nadya appreciates the opportunities in MI. For instance, her external art classes are funded under the Amethyst Talent Programme.
Despite being only in her second year, one of her goals - forging good relationships with her friends and teachers, was “already achieved last year because everyone is really supportive and caring.”
Tristen Song (second from left) with her friends in Millennia Institute at an annual Sports Day event.
Photo by: Tristen Song
Tristen Song, a MI graduate, compares her experience to her friends in JC. The 21-year-old Singapore Institute of Management Sociology student graduated from the Commerce stream in 2017.
When she missed lectures, her friends offered to share notes or teach her, “I think that’s something rarely seen in JC. From what I know, they are quite competitive when it comes to their studies.”
“The teachers [at MI] are really motivating and they really push students to do the best they can,” she says.
MI was a smooth bridge for her between secondary school and university as it also taught students general skills related to the real world or their passions. For example, presentation and photography skills.
She added that many juniors are entering local universities, that “it could be a change for MI to have better students that could match up to other JCs to fight for a place in a local University.”
Was also published on The Urbanwire, an E-Magazine by Ngee Ann Polytechnic's Film and Media Studies.