Most of the trickle of teenagers applying for Project Springboard places said yesterday they were only doing so because they had no other choice. Lo Wing-lun, 17, a repeat student in the arts stream, obtained five marks in his exams and applied for the certificate in information technology offered by the Caritas Adult and Higher Education Service under the project. Unwilling to repeat Form Five for a third time, Project Springboard was his last resort, he said. Li Cheuk-yu, 17, also a repeat student, applied for a continuing general education certificate in art and design. He scored five marks in his exams and admitted Project Springboard was his only choice. 'I hate studying the same materials again and again. My mother thinks I am too immature to start a career. Also, I still want to obtain a degree if possible.' His mother, Christine Chow, is not confident about Project Springboard. 'The Government claims the programme is well-organised. But there is not even a detailed syllabus. 'I think he will not have improved a lot after this year. But I have run out of solutions.' At Baptist University, fewer than 10 people were in line to apply by 11am. Shino Chow Ching-sin, an 18-year-old science student, applied for the certificate in information technology. 'I don't think I can get higher grades after repeating a year,' he said. 'I guess these courses are quite practical.'