River Valley High School [*IP]

[julongmum]

dad_of_the_bride:

I heard there was a big hoo-ha in RV relating to the dismal \"O' level results for those weaker students who had dropped out of the IP train. Apparently the \"o\" level results of these students were worse than the national average in Singapore. And some of these students are now blaming the teachers for the poor showings.


At the back of my mind there is always this perennial reservation that IP school tends to adopt a more laid-back approach to teaching, as there is no \"o\"level to worry about and thus the focus is on learning rather than content. The corollary is that the students end up with weaker foundation in their core subject matter.

How true is this? Anyone wants to share your view?

RV is IP, got students take O lvl at Sec 4 huh?

[dad_of_the_bride]

julongmum:

[RV is IP, got students take O lvl at Sec 4 huh?

Dear julongmum, For those unfortunate ones who are asked to leave the IP train half way cos they cannot measure up, they will need to take the \"o\" level wah.

But I am also interested to find out the dropout rate.

daiyst- any idea?

[daisyt]

From what I know, there is one ‘O’ level class. In DHS, also the same.

[dad_of_the_bride]

Dear daisyt,

Wah, a class is quite a lot huh?
But if these "drop-outs" are allowed to stay in RV to complete their A "level", then it is still ok lah. At the end of the day, as long as they do well in their A "level", they can still go to the University.
So after all, it is worthwhile to catch the IP train.

[daisyt]

Hi dad of the bride, one class is it a lot? Hhhmmm …

I am not sure if they are still continuing in RV for "A".
During dd’s time to decide about IP, after asking around for opinions, what made us decide on IP was not the skipping of "O", its more on the teaching methods and style of learning.

[rosecy]

i heard there is about 15 in the o lvl class

[daisyt]

rosecy:

i heard there is about 15 in the o lvl class

OIC. Btw rosecy new member, first time c u here. :lol:

[dad_of_the_bride]

Class of about 15 is a small group. The school principal and teachers should motivate and encourage these students so that they dont feel ostracized.

[rosecy]

well if the kids have lost interest in their studies, not much the school can do even with the best teachers to take that class.


guess probably thats why they ended there n didnt do well for o lvl as well.

cant imagine how a PSLE 250+ can end up with such poor o lvl....sigh

[traineeks]

Perhaps it is best for students who have difficulty coping in an IP school to transfer to a mainstream school as early as possible. By year 2 or end of year 2, parents should be able to gauge if their kids are coping or not.


A IP school will have most of their best resources dedicated to the IP program. It is demoralising to be one of the 15 kids in a cohort of a few hundred. Unlike a mainstream school where the O level fever and motivation and push is felt by entire cohort, it would seem like you are on your own when most of your friends are skipping the exams.