Cost of repeating subject: $479

By Desmond Ong

ALL he wanted to do was to upgrade himself.
Having done badly in his O levels in 1976, Michael decided to retake one O-level subject, mathematics, some 32 years later. He wanted to improve his credentials.
The 49-year-old, who didn't want to give his full name, paid $56 to attend a one-year part-time course in O-level maths in ITE Bishan last year. That amount covered his course fees and once-a-week lessons.
Unfortunately, Michael scored aD7in his examination, only a small improvement from the E8 he scored for the same subject in 1976.
Last Saturday, this dejected administrator, who took a diploma in Business Administration from a private school in 1992, returned to ITE Bishan to register for the same course once again.
He was shocked to find out that he now has to pay $479 to do so - some 81/2 times the amount paid the first time.
The new fees for repeat courses came into effect this year.
Previously, it would have cost Michael just $56 to repeat the course, the same as for those taking it for the first time.
Said Michael: 'I thought that $56 for a course is okay but to pay so much just to repeat it is quite ridiculous.
'And I felt humiliated when an ITE staff member said, 'Well, you should have tried better, then you wouldn't have had to repeat'.
'I felt so ashamed. If I am so bright, I wouldn't be here re-taking my O-level subjects, right?'
This repeat fee does not include an examination fee, which cost Michael $140 last year.
He said that he felt helpless, because he liked the General Education (GE)programme offered by ITE. It provides opportunities for adults to acquire academic qualifications up to the GCE N and O levels on a part-time basis.
It offers courses from Secondary 1 Normal onwards and includes subjects such as English, mathematics and science.
The course fee per subject starts from $51. But from this year, the cost to repeat a subject is $407 to $479, according to the ITE website.
Said Michael: 'It's kind of sad. It's either I pay up or I don't repeat the course. But I figured that I could always study on my own, which is going to be a challenge.
'The Government is encouraging people like me to upgrade ourselves. But on the other hand, why is there a need to increase the fee by so much'
'Shouldn't these course fees be subsidised?'
Playful then
He said that he managed to get only two O-level passes in 1976 - a B4 in English and a C6 in technical drawing.
He said: 'I was quite playful when I was young. And during those days, even if you don't do well in your O levels, it was still considered quite okay. We could still get a job and work.
'It was during the last few years that there were more of such courses and I had more time to think about upgrading myself. I thought it would be good if I can make use of the time to improve on my mathematics.'
Michael, who is married with no children, had thought of taking two more O-level subjects this year - science and English - to improve on his past scores. But he has decided against it, just in case he fails the subjects again and has to pay more money to repeat them.
Another mature student, nurse Anita Devi, 32, said she too had to pay $479 to repeat her O-levels mathematics this year.
A Singaporean like Michael, she had scored F9 for her O-level English, mathematics and science last year. The mother of three had paid $102 per subject under the GE programme last year.
The course fees vary depending on the student's age, qualification and citizenship.
'I failed all three subjects because I didn't put in much effort. I was doing shift work and I had to take care of my three children. It was challenging trying to juggle all that,' she said.
Madam Anita is married with three sons, aged 15, 14and 13.
'Can't afford'
She's going to retake only her mathematics because she said she can't afford to pay for all three repeat courses.
She said: 'Times are so bad, maybe some things can be changed. I have other expenses. The ITE could've given some rebates or moderated the increase. But this is too much of a jump.
'How about those who are not working and wish to retake? It's so expensive.'
When contacted, ITE said this policy on repeat modules took effect for intakes after April 2007. It was part of the Government's review on funding for part-time courses offered by ITE and the polytechnics. Said an ITE spokesman: 'The rationale behind this review of funding is to optimise the use of the high subsidies (of up to 90 per cent of course fees) from public funds to benefit as many Singapore citizens and PRs as possible.'
ITE's centre supervisors will explain the various financial assistance schemes available for students who are affected by the policy and who require financial assistance.
And this policy does not affect part-time students who withdraw from the module owing to situations like medical reasons or official work.
ITE is also offering shorter and more affordable revision courses as an alternative to the GE Programme for repeat students.

This article was first published in The New Paper.