Direct School Admission (DSA) turned into “Desperate” School Admission for some parents who were charged between $30,000 to $50,000 by a basketball coach, in exchange for securing a spot for their child in a desired secondary school through the DSA scheme.
Here’s what happened.
What happened?
On 24 July, local Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News reported that one Mr Lin, a basketball coach, had allegedly received payments from parents, in exchange for using his “connections” in helping primary school students gain entry into prestigious secondary schools through the DSA scheme.
Shin Min Daily News was tipped off by a member of the public known only as Mr Tan.
Mr Lin is allegedly a basketball coach at several primary schools.
The Corrupt Practices Investigations Bureau (CPIB) is now investigating the coach, but has not provided any information regarding the case due to “confidentiality” issues.
MOE has since said that Mr Lin has been de-registered as a school coach since April 2024 and is no longer in the employ of any MOE school.
It has not been revealed which schools have seen their DSA intakes compromised by the acts of Mr Lin, although some news outlets have alleged that entry to schools such as Dunman High School and Hwa Chong Institution were advertised by Mr Lin.
According to MOE, the DSA scheme seeks to “broaden the recognition of talents and achievements beyond academic grades.”
DSA allows students to be recognised for their non-academic achievements, providing them with places in their desired secondary school prior to their Primary School Leaving Examination.
The scheme was launched in 2004.
MOE has stated that every school has a different selection process. However, in general, students must be able to demonstrate talent, potential, passion and character.
However, despite the differences, schools still are required to follow MOE’s DSA selection guidelines, of which transparency and objectivity are key.
Having been a student involved in DSA trials, I know that coaches play a big role in the selection process.
MOE has thus explained that while non-school staff like coaches may be involved in the selection process, the final say on the admission rests with the school leadership.
This news is likely to throw a spanner into the legitimacy of the DSA scheme, which requires transparency and objectivity to function effectively.
This incident will also implicate the coaches of the involved secondary schools who were connected to Mr Lin.
There have been no reports of previous similar incidents regarding the DSA scheme.
This incident comes at the back of several high key incidents involving CPIB, including the case surrounding former Minister of Transport S. Iswaran.
