When I first failed my PSLE examination, my parent have already told me that I would not amount to anything in the future as compared to my two elder brothers who are more academically inclined.
They have obtained good O level results and went to polytechnic.
For my case, I had to face the ITE education path.
My parents were very disappointed, because to them ITE students are failures, hopeless and do not have much future after they graduate.
Friends surrounding me especially my ex-friend from Express and Normal Academic streams started to avoid me because I ended up studying in ITE.
They thought that having a friend from ITE would be an embarrassment to them in front of their other friends and family.
Despite being the top student in GCE ‘N’ level examination, I was looked down on by my relatives during every single year of chinese new year reunion dinner as all of my cousins entered polytechnic, IM or either Junior College.
I had to endure all their snide and judgemental remarks about me and my parents.
It made me dread the Chinese New Year season.
After receiving the result and finally entered my worst nightmare ITE, I had to be one of them.
The criticism by the people in social media during that period had led me think that it is impossible to succeed in life and it is almost a miracle to make it out of the school and progress on to polytechnic.
ITE students do not exactly have the best image and reputation to the society.
We are generalised as rebels who do nothing but cause trouble and give a headache to our parents and teachers.
As time went by, i thought I could ignore what other had to say about me as a ITE student.
but one day on my way back home from Yio Chu Kang station, a Junior College student started scolding me for blocking her way which was very narrow and also because i was wearing ITE uniform at that point of time because it was after school. She then discriminate me for being a waste of talent to the society and all we do is go school to waste time and have fun. After being discriminated by her, it had led me think negatively of myself and lose self confidence for the next few weeks. It sparked a sense in me to become better than before and work towards my goal to become successful in life.
It didn’t took me long as I managed to obtain good result after 2 year studies as Nitec student and managed to entered the course and school that I prefered to study at. As time went by after being able to graduate from ITE, the school itself isn't bad at all because lecturer there’s has never give up on us unless we give up on ourselves first. I’m appreciate with what the school had taught me throughout the 2 year duration of studies in ITE.