[PSLE MT] PSLE less weightage in Chinese / Mother Tongue

[snowz]

daisyt:

My dd's SAP pri school, they encourage the students to take HCL.

Actually this should be the case for SAP school. In non SAP schools, some kids even appeal to take HCL in P5.

[cascada]

Way2GO:

cascada:

Can anyone advise if it is possible to score 3A* and a B to get only 240 aggregate score?
Personally I find it quite puzzling.

This is possible since T scores, n not raw scores
r used in PSLE results.
A bad grade in one subject,
esp if d cohort does well in dat subject,
can drag down d overall T score.

Then maybe it's the whole cohort that did well in the 3A* subjects that drag down his aggregate and not his CL?
Maybe his CL could be a C but others in the same cohort didn't do so well, so his C become a B?

I know of a child who got 1A* and 3A but also managed to get 245, even though his mum suspected 1 or 2 of his As are low A.

[ihavethingtosay]

Way2GO:

ihavethingtosay:

...

please spend some effort in inculcating the right attitude towards learning and in life. instead of demanding the world to accomodate you...

Well said despite ur youth.
Do u learn dis at home or in school?

haha i dont know. both perhaps. and society. and from things you see. you learn along the way. i still have much to learn. :celebrate:

[Way2GO]

cascada:

Maybe his CL could be a C but others in the same cohort didn't do so well, so his C become a B?

:lol:
u rubbing salt into grandma Chong's
wounded pride?

[cascada]

Way2GO:

cascada:

Maybe his CL could be a C but others in the same cohort didn't do so well, so his C become a B?

:lol:
u rubbing salt into grandma Chong's
wounded pride?

:rubhands: Just felt she subjected herself to this through the 'potato eliteness' she projected in her letter and also she may not have got her facts right.

[corneyAmber]

snowz:

daisyt:

My dd's SAP pri school, they encourage the students to take HCL.

Actually this should be the case for SAP school. In non SAP schools, some kids even appeal to take HCL in P5.

SAP schools are also realistic. If a child really cannot make it, why stress him/her? I believe if parents insist the child to take HCL in a SAP school, the school will not say 'No' because they have the classes going on anyway. They recommend it for the good of the child.

This reminds me strongly of a case in an enrichment situation I have seen. Despite teachers' efforts to deter a parent from putting the child in a level not suitable, the parent insisted. Now they suffer the dire consequences. The school will make the recommendation, but if you appeal and insist, they won't say no, but the message is consequence you bear.

[jtoh]

cascada:

Can anyone advise if it is possible to score 3A* and a B to get only 240 aggregate score?
Personally I find it quite puzzling.

Definitely possible. Happened to a friend's child. Once you score a B, despite your 3A*, your aggregate will drop to 240s. Of course depends on strength of your A* too.

I also heard of someone who scored 3A* and 1A last year scoring just 250, so not surprising if a B brings your score below 250.

[corneyAmber]

I cannot remember where I read the post but I support the suggestion of the efforts and funds used now to lower this weighting to be channelled down to preschool learning MT instead.


There is no point trying to solve a problem created by ourselves consciously and then try to adjust the system. Instead go down to the preschool level and set the learning record right, and do not let the poor parents struggle anymore to try to do their own enrichment at preschool level. If a campaign is run at the preschool level to learn Chinese the right way, I am sure the future generation kids will be so sound in their Chinese, believe it or not. No doubt we need to wait but we have waited so long anyway…

We really should not create unfair situation for those good in both languages now and those good in MT now just to benefit a minority really good in English. Honestly, we may have more English-speaking families now, it does not mean that their English is excellent. It just means that people are more comfortable conversing in English now because majority are using the language but not necessarily stellar in it, not to forget, STELLAR for English was just introduced recently. Pun intended.

Also, parents who did it right 12 years ago for their children lost their competitive edge for their children just by a change of a ruling overnight, is that fair?

I do not have a 12 YO child but I feel sorry for such parents.

[Blobbi]

Way2GO:

Agree with ur points Blobbi.

Instead of lowering d bar further
we should teach our young to strive
harder to achieve. Absolutely.

I don't mean work harder. Sometimes cannot. What I mean is work around it, hv different approaches. It's a lot of work on the part of parents and teachers, but we can afford to give up.

My two cents.

[daisyt]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1051943/1/.html


Admissions criteria to top secondary schools may be adjusted
By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 22 April 2010 2259 hrs

SINGAPORE: The Minister for Education, Ng Eng Hen said admissions criteria to top secondary schools may be adjusted, following Monday's announcement of possible changes to the mother tongue language exams at PSLE.

Earlier this week, Dr Ng said the weightage of the PSLE mother tongue language papers may be reduced, as part of his ministry's review of mother tongue education in schools.

On Thursday, he said the aim is to achieve a basic language competency for all students.

But the ministry will retain incentives for those strong in their Chinese, Malay or Tamil, to continue taking these subjects at a higher level.

For example, students are currently required to take the Higher Chinese language paper to be eligible for Special Assistance Plan (SAP) schools.

\"Even among the top schools like RI, you should continue to preserve a significant proportion of places in the top schools for students with higher mother tongue. As for the others, if they don't reach these high (levels) in their higher mother tongue, they can also enter because they are good in the other subjects,\" said Dr Ng. - CNA /ls