DSA 2017

[floppy]

Imp75:

How to appease the powerful old boy's association ah if their offsprings cannot continue in their alma maters?

But they are already given a leg up in their Alma Mater (primary). Can't blame the G if their offspring CMI.

[AppleCrumble]

floppy:

Imp75:

How to appease the powerful old boy's association ah if their offsprings cannot continue in their alma maters?

But they are already given a leg up in their Alma Mater (primary). Can't blame the G if their offspring CMI.

Good one, floppy!!

:rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[Francoise]

coast:

My understanding is that removal of GAT applies to all (refer to his speech in link below). As for DSA Academic, all schools can continue if they want but it has to be subject specific domain.


https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/speeches/moe-fy-2017-committee-of-supply-debate-speech-by-minister-of-education-schools-ng-chee-meng

Does anyone knows if this affects current P6 students? I am confused 'cos one ST article says \"from this year, schools will discontinue the use of general academic ability tests to assess DSA applicants. Instead, they will consider talents in specific domains.\" but the MOE press release says students will not need to take GAT by 2018.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education-focus-shifts-to-students-strengths

[Francoise]

floppy:

Imp75:

How to appease the powerful old boy's association ah if their offsprings cannot continue in their alma maters?

But they are already given a leg up in their Alma Mater (primary). Can't blame the G if their offspring CMI.

:rotflmao: I really enjoy reading your post!

[coast]

Francoise:

coast:

My understanding is that removal of GAT applies to all (refer to his speech in link below). As for DSA Academic, all schools can continue if they want but it has to be subject specific domain.


https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/speeches/moe-fy-2017-committee-of-supply-debate-speech-by-minister-of-education-schools-ng-chee-meng

Does anyone knows if this affects current P6 students? I am confused 'cos one ST article says \"from this year, schools will discontinue the use of general academic ability tests to assess DSA applicants. Instead, they will consider talents in specific domains.\" but the MOE press release says students will not need to take GAT by 2018.

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education-focus-shifts-to-students-strengths

My understanding from his speech:-

\"We will start refining the DSA selection from this year, to better achieve the objectives of DSA. \"

\"As part of this refinement, schools will discontinue the use of general academic ability tests in DSA selection by 2018.\"

So some schools will discontinue GAT this year while ALL schools will discontinue by 2018. Note that some schools already do NOT use GAT (e.g., HCI).

So call the school or check out during Open House or wait for DSA updates on its website for this year DSA

[Francoise]

^ :xedfingers: Thanks coast!

[phtthp]

Francoise:

floppy:

[quote=\"Imp75\"]How to appease the powerful old boy's association ah if their offsprings cannot continue in their alma maters?

But they are already given a leg up in their Alma Mater (primary). Can't blame the G if their offspring CMI.

:rotflmao: I really enjoy reading your post![/quote]Me too, floppy

[lee_yl]

Perhaps MOE genuinely wants to change but given the landscape, parents will again exploit it to the utmost and the end-results will be something the policy makers never intended for.


Like it or not, meritocracy has been too successful in Singapore to the extent that today’s middle class, who climbed up through this route, will game the system to ensure the well-being of their offspring.

[Lovebelle]

Imp75:

The upcoming OH is by nygh on 25/3. I expect parents might be asking all these hard questions. I might go kaypoh and hear what Mdm Heng has to say.

Did anyone ask this question? Why are you volunteering this info? :scratchhead:

[Yngmng]

mn_1704:

Yngmng:

DD2 is entering P1 in 2019 and is now mulling over which school is suitable in view of the recent changes. I have 2 choices. One is a Neighbourhood school within walking distance or a gep school abt 20 mins bus journey. DD1 DSAed via subject domain to her current secondary school. My experience is that the school requires her to demonstrate excellence and passion in a subject domain. This means that the child need to participate and win awards in competitions. Correct me if I am wrong but generally, I noticed that Neighbourhood schools tend to be less active in taking part in such competitions. Will this make branded schools more attractive? I also noticed that in gep schools, most of the academic related awards are won by geppers (correct me if I am wrong). So if the child is not a gepper, sending them to branded gep school does not really increase their chances of winning awards and therefore DSA. Personally, I also feel that with the review, gep becomes less attractive. This is considering the amount of time that they spent on their project works. So even if DD 2 does qualify for gep, will really think twice about joining gep. I would rather she focus on her core academic work. I will also be less enthusiastic abt DSA. From my experience last year, it is really stressful on both parents and child.

Hi, I understand what you had mentioned above.
I can only speak from my personal experience with my DS. My DS is now in Sec 1 in IP a boys school (sorry...not the top IP School... )

My DS's learning journey with GEP - he has learnt a lot (academically and definitely outside of academics) in his 3 years. He is now doing well in his Sec 1 IP programme. As an involved dad from day 1 of his learning journey since he was a baby/toddler, I must say that our DS greatly benefited from the GEP experience.

We did not prepare him with any extra MO classes or special enrichment classes with the hope of getting into GEP when he was in Pri school. He only had CL tuition since we do not speak mandarin at home. He just did it when he went for the selection tests in P3. And now he is in Sec 1 IP, and I can only say that he has gain a whole new learning experience and landscape during his GEP days which benefits him in his Secondary IP.

My conclusion - only able to comment with the experience of my DS. Let nature takes its course. If the child is able to get into GEP with his or her own ability (without all the extra classes and enrichment), then it will be great for the child. The child will be exposed to a totally different aspect of learning and knowledge inquiry.
If the child is able to thrive in a non-GEP school, than so be it. Parents can do more to encourage, facilitate and support the child to explore his non-academic interests, passion and knowledge exploration. I believe as parents, we just do our best to support our children in their learning journey, be it in GEP or non-Gep. I always believe that Parents are always and will always be the main educators and partners of our DCs learning journey.

Hi nm, agreed that DD1 has also benefited from the gep programe. She now appears to be coping well in her sec school. As for DD2, will try to strengthen her foundation in academics and give her a good head start. Personally, I am inclined to enrol her in the neighbourhood school for logistic reasons. From my experience when DD1 was in the school, the teachers and the program in the school are not too bad.