MY NIECE did not do well for her PSLE last year and was posted to the Secondary One Normal (Technical) stream. She was upset but we encouraged her to strive harder this year and, hopefully, make it to the Normal (Academic) stream.

The criterion for promotion from N(T) to N(A) set by the Ministry of Education is 70 per cent. She studied hard and obtained more than 70 per cent for the year-end exams and was promoted to the N(A) stream. We were very happy for her.

On the other hand, a friend's son from another school, who did not do well for the PSLE last year and was also posted to N(T), was not so fortunate.

The boy studied hard and also scored more than 70 per cent in the final exams. He was looking forward to going to the N(A) stream and facing new challenges next year.

Unfortunately, he was not promoted to N(A) although he met the promotion criterion.

The reason given by the principal was that, based on past experience, students that were promoted from N(T) to N(A) were not able to cope with the curriculum.

Hence, the principal decided not to promote any student from N(T) to N(A) although some students met the criterion.

The poor child had been studying very hard, only to be disappointed by the school's decision. It will have a negative impact on his self-esteem. If the school doesn't give him a chance, who will?

Why set a benchmark if the school doesn't abide by it?

I hope schools will give all N(T) students a chance to move up to N(A) if they meet the promotion criterion.

Teo Wei Ling (Mdm)