As the Grade 10 transition to senior schools nears completion, it has become evident that no fully boarding senior school has admitted day scholars. This is contrary to expectations arising from the government’s much-touted policy shift in grade 10 transition under the Competency-Based Education.
In a bid to enhance accessibility to quality education, the Ministry of Education had indicated that purely boarding senior schools would be abolished. All senior schools, regardless of their clustering, were expected to allocate at least 10 per cent of their admissions to day scholars through the establishment of day wings.
However, the policy appears to have remained more theoretical than practical. To date, the government has not released any data showing boarding senior schools that have implemented day wings or admitted day scholars. A quick spot check further reveals that the placement process did not accommodate day scholars at all. Official admission letters from major senior schools make no reference to day-wing options, instead clearly outlining strict boarding requirements for admission.
Most, if not all, senior boarding schools have maintained compulsory boarding, raising serious questions about the government’s commitment to the implementation of day wings. This begs the question: was the policy merely meant for paper, or has the government quietly backtracked after sensing its inviability?
Comments