Why no poly grads in Parliament, asks student at forum

THE absence of polytechnic graduates in the Cabinet and Parliament disturbs 19-year-old Keith Tan.
The third-year business student of Singapore Polytechnic was forthright on Friday when he brought it to the attention of Foreign Minister George Yeo, during a dialogue with 300 students of the poly's School of Business.
He asked: 'We don't see any poly graduates in the Government. Is there a wall or ceiling we're looking at?'
His question was among 11 posed to the minister during a dialogue with 300 students of the poly and Mr Yeo took pains to assure them there were no pre-conditions.
What's important is a good heart and ability to get things done, he said.
But educational qualifications are no less important, he was quick to add, noting that they give an indication of the candidates' abilities.
He highlighted to the students a quality they can be proud of, saying: 'Poly graduates have a practical bent, thus it would to the loss for any political party not to recruit from the polytechnics.'
Keith later told The Straits Times Mr Yeo's reply was very encouraging, although he has yet to decide whether to enter politics in the future.