SINGAPORE — As a poor performer in school, Rojan Shamugam had no choice but to take on foundation subjects — those taught at a lower level for weaker students — at Primary Six, after faring badly in her assessments.

That memory of failing was not easily forgotten. She eventually turned down a chance to move up from the Normal (Technical) to Normal (Academic) stream in Secondary One.

“I didn’t want to risk going to the Normal (Academic) stream (and) dropping back to Normal (Technical) because it would be very painful for me,” said the 16-year-old. “I was also sure I could do much better in Normal (Technical) if I stayed.”

The East View Secondary School student was among those who received their N-Level results yesterday and has been accepted into the nursing course at ITE College East through the ITE Special College Admission Scheme.

The Ministry of Education said a total of 11,176 Normal (Academic) and 5,120 Normal (Technical) students took the N-Level examinations this year.

In the Normal (Academic) stream, 99.7 per cent of the students passed, while 97.5 per cent of those in the Normal (Technical) stream passed.

The MOE also said 74.6 per cent of students from the Normal (Academic) course would be eligible for promotion to Sec 5 Normal (Academic) next year, adding that 34.5 per cent of Normal (Academic) students sat for the GCE O-Level examinations in certain subjects.

Yesterday, Rojan said she has dreamt of becoming a nurse since she was in Pri 4. At the time, her mother fell ill and was hospitalised. Rojan, who took care of her mother, learnt then that having nursing skills would benefit and enable her to help those in need.

To pursue that dream, Rojan decided to stay in the Normal (Technical) stream.

“I had already planned everything. If I can do well in ITE and get a GPA of above four, I can go to polytechnic directly from there,” she said. “But if I went to Normal (Academic) and didn’t do well, I might not be able to get my course.”

Ms Joyce Lim, a counsellor at Rojan’s school, said the teachers had initially advised against her decision to stay in the Normal (Technical) stream. However, her determination eventually convinced them to support her.

“Some students who progressed to Normal (Academic) struggled academically and were not able to do well, and I think Rojan didn’t want that,” added Ms Lim.

Said Rojan: “People may talk badly about ITE. But once I know my path, I will focus on it and not care about what others think about me.”

Meanwhile, Ng Shi Hui, a Sec 4 Normal (Academic) student who is also studying at East View, said she is determined to do well for her O-Level exams next year, so she can qualify for institutions such as LASALLE College of the Arts and the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts.

The 16-year-old used to struggle with low self-esteem in Sec 1, as her peers often mocked her for being overweight. “I wasn’t a very confident person. I didn’t believe in anything I did, so I didn’t have the courage to pursue my dream of becoming an artist.”

Shi Hui fared so badly in her studies during her first year at school that she often got single-digit scores in mathematics.

However, she decided to buck up in her studies after being counselled by teachers in Sec 2.

“They often told me I should believe in myself and that’s where I found my inner strength to pursue what I want to do,” said Shi Hui.

Her perseverance and hard work paid off when she managed to score a distinction for her N-Level mathematics exam this year.

For displaying fortitude and resilience, Shi Hui was named valedictorian of her cohort this year and is among the 8,337 students eligible for promotion to Sec 5 next year.

Said Ms Lau Wan Sze, principal of East View Secondary School: “Shi Hui is now able to articulate herself well and openly talk about the challenges she faced. She’s a totally different person.”