Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools
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lchunleo:
All bags may serve the same function, but not all bags are built the same.using the same example, i guess one has a better material quality than the other one? The workmanship? Warranty ? Using another example, a branded kindergarten compared to not so branded one, the quality of teaching, materials, variety of activities for children etc. E.g. i had experience where my child used to attend the inhouse paid enrichment class, the material used is really the price that you pay for compared to another school where the material used is much better and more presentable. But i have no insight about primary school as since they are operated and managed differently.
Some of the branded primary schools enjoy strong ties with their alumni, clan, religious organisation, etc. In turn, this means better access to resources, be it manpower or financial support. Generally:
Better resources = able to do more = more well-rounded students = more popular with parents.
However, it does not mean that popular schools produce the nation's top students (some do). Less popular schools are also able to do that with the right support and guidance from teachers and parents. After all, it is sometimes possible to come across a good bargain in Taobao for a fraction of a price that you would pay in a branded store. -
floppy:
I had a good laugh when you made this comparison. Very true indeed!
What's the difference between a LV and Charles & Keith handbag?lchunleo:
Can i ask a naive question? i have been trying to understand what are the differences between branded school vs neighbourhood school but still i have yet to come to any conclusion besides the obvious, such as more well known, more balloting for these school..is it really a hype/parabola effect or there is some sense in it.
have been following the news since years back and attending the open house of various primary schools where each school showcase their achievement. After a while, one realize that it is actually very confusing where each of them trying to promote various learning style and ideas...
any comments?
As a bag, they serve primarily the same function. -
floppy:
Great analogy! :rotflmao:What's the difference between a LV and Charles & Keith handbag?
As a bag, they serve primarily the same function.
But it is incomplete. Just do this simple experiment. Imagine the most uncouth, dirty old hag. Now imagine her carrying the LV bag of your desire. Finally, imagine everyone around you to be carrying the same LV bag.
Still want that LV?
Schools start to become popular mainly because of their alumni (or ex-students, to avoid the negative connotations the word \"alumni\" seem to evoke). Some become famous politicians, doctors, lawyer, businessmen, philanthropists. Some win international awards and fame. Some become top scorers in national exams. Some become our colleagues who impress us with their demeanour, decorum and work attitudes.
The schools benefit from this halo effect, as people want their children to be associated with schools which have \"produced\" such famous people. This increases competition for the schools, which then gain greater popularity through the bandwagon effect. If we don't know which store in a hawker centre is good, just patronise the store with the longest queue lor. The competition results in the survival of the fittest, where only the best would make it through the school, which ensures that overall school performance improves. Over time, years of consistent good performance will result in the school being popular not solely because of its alumni, but also carry its own weight in terms of good culture and governance, and effective teaching.
Of course we can argue that a school's faculty play a part in its popularity. After all, we all know Hogwart's as Dumbledore's school. But what is more inspiring than the achievements of the students themselves, as proof of the effectiveness of the faculty? -
I think there’s a lot of difference between brand names.
A branded school, affiliated COP 200…still popular
Neighbourhood school, COP 200…if can avoid, then avoid. -
The brand of the school may impress the interviewer when one applies for a job. The environment of some schools also plays a part influencing how the kids behave and talk.
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ChiefKiasu:
I tot strong alumni mainly from their sec sch? (instead of pri sch)floppy:
Still want that LV?
Schools start to become popular mainly because of their alumni (or ex-students, to avoid the negative connotations the word \"alumni\" seem to evoke). Some become famous politicians, doctors, lawyer, businessmen, philanthropists. Some win international awards and fame. Some become top scorers in national exams. Some become our colleagues who impress us with their demeanour, decorum and work attitudes.
The schools benefit from this halo effect, as people want their children to be associated with schools which have \"produced\" such famous people. This increases competition for the schools, which then gain greater popularity through the bandwagon effect. If we don't know which store in a hawker centre is good, just patronise the store with the longest queue lor. The competition results in the survival of the fittest, where only the best would make it through the school, which ensures that overall school performance improves. Over time, years of consistent good performance will result in the school being popular not solely because of its alumni, but also carry its own weight in terms of good culture and governance, and effective teaching.
Old boys like Tony Tan, Teo Chee Hean, Gerald Ee, Mah Bow Tan, George Yeo, etc etc still very much involve/supportive to their old sch events even till today..
http://www.sji.edu.sg/about-sji/distinguished-alumni
http://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sj ... oad-campus -
janet88:
The brand of the school may impress the interviewer when one applies for a job. The environment of some schools also plays a part influencing how the kids behave and talk.
That may hold true for sec school/jc, but hardly the case for pri sch. Having interviewed many job candidates, the 'brand' of the pri sch which the candidate was from hardly featured/made a difference - the candidates didn't really do anything to 'earn' the spot in those schools & it's not a reflection of their abilities. I have, however, given the benefit of the doubt to candidates based on their sec sch/jc.
That said, I do believe that some pri sch do, objectively, provide a better platform (in the form of resource - be it financial, alumni, teaching staff, etc.) for their students to excel.
Would encourage parents not to be too fixated on branding per se but to take a holistic view in choosing & evaluating the 'right' school for their kids. Some kids may not adapt well in a pressure-cooker environment whereas some other actually thrive. There is, sadly, no one-size-fits-all approach. -
hubble:
select the school based on your child's character. the pressure cooker environment is not for all kids.
That said, I do believe that some pri sch do, objectively, provide a better platform (in the form of resource - be it financial, alumni, teaching staff, etc.) for their students to excel.
Would encourage parents not to be too fixated on branding per se but to take a holistic view in choosing & evaluating the 'right' school for their kids. Some kids may not adapt well in a pressure-cooker environment whereas some other actually thrive. There is, sadly, no one-size-fits-all approach. -
janet88:
select the school based on your child's character. the pressure cooker environment is not for all kids.
But not all top schools are pressure cooker leh! -
Some neighborhood schools not pressure cooker, relaxed academic pace
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