Choosing and Evaluating Primary Schools

[qms]

zac's mum:

Yes confirm this school. This happened to my friend's child 2 years ago.


Another school I can confirm does the screening during Orientation Day is Changkat Primary School. Happened to my colleague's child, who was so traumatized about the surprise written test that kena stomachache and too painful to even write own name. The poor child!

Surprised that this happened in this school. Feedback I received about the school is that it is not very academically inclined nowadays.

[RLa]

Hi, My kids are due for P1 registration this year. I have a query regarding MT language selection for P1 registration. Our Mother tongue is Tamil, but I would like my kids to opt for Hindi instead.

1) is it possible for us to opt for Hindi instead of Tamil ( despite Tamil being our Mother tongue)
2) if yes, do we need to apply as MT in lieu separately after admission ( is it a separate form to be filled during registration or orientation)
3) Is it possible to mark ur preference in the application form itself during registration?
Grateful for some guidance on the process !
Many Thanks

[floppy]

RLa:

Hi, My kids are due for P1 registration this year. I have a query regarding MT language selection for P1 registration. Our Mother tongue is Tamil, but I would like my kids to opt for Hindi instead.

1) is it possible for us to opt for Hindi instead of Tamil ( despite Tamil being our Mother tongue)
...

Refer to the FAQ:
https://www.moe.gov.sg/admissions/returning-singaporeans/singaporeans-returning-home/mother-tongue-policy

Unless you are a non-Tamil Indian (which you aren't), the answer is no. You cannot pick and choose your mother tongue.

[juniorgirl]

We are SPRs staying at sgoon north ave 4 and will be registering for our girl p1 for 2018


Nearest sch to us
1. Roysth sch (300m)
2. Hougang pri sch(1.1km)
3. Xinmin pri sch (1.2km)

Any recommendations in sgoon area tht we can consider? In deep dilemma. Thanks in advance.

[zac's mum]

RLa:

Hi, My kids are due for P1 registration this year. I have a query regarding MT language selection for P1 registration. Our Mother tongue is Tamil, but I would like my kids to opt for Hindi instead.

1) is it possible for us to opt for Hindi instead of Tamil ( despite Tamil being our Mother tongue)
2) if yes, do we need to apply as MT in lieu separately after admission ( is it a separate form to be filled during registration or orientation)
3) Is it possible to mark ur preference in the application form itself during registration?
Grateful for some guidance on the process !
Many Thanks

I recall that the form (to indicate which mother tongue language that the child will be studying) is filled up on the registration day. Have u checked whether the schools you're keen on offer Hindi? Some don't offer it on-site but have arrangements for students to go off-site for Hindi lessons after school. Call up the school to ask if necessary.

Is the child's mother tongue or dialect group (Tamil) indicated on the birth cert? I don't think so right? Then there is no way for anyone to bar him from taking Hindi. You may select Hindi on the form if u wish. This is my own opinion. I believe u have your own reasons for wanting the child to learn Hindi instead of Tamil. Maybe the maternal grandparents are Hindi and will be doing most of the supervision after school.

The more important factor to consider is whether your child has some sort of foundation in Hindi, at least spoken if not written. Otherwise it will be very difficult to pick up at P1 level.

All the best!

[zac's mum]

juniorgirl:

We are SPRs staying at sgoon north ave 4 and will be registering for our girl p1 for 2018


Nearest sch to us
1. Roysth sch (300m)
2. Hougang pri sch(1.1km)
3. Xinmin pri sch (1.2km)

Any recommendations in sgoon area tht we can consider? In deep dilemma. Thanks in advance.

Hi, firstly u are not using the correct tool to calculate home-school distance. The only recognized one is OneMap.sg, use the School Query function. The distances will be shown as within 1km or 1-2km.

Rosyth is definitely out for u. Last year (and every year I believe) there's balloting for SCs within 1km.

Hougang Pri and Xinmin Pri last year had balloting for PRs within 1km. If OneMap says u are actually within 1km of these schools, u can try the balloting. Otherwise, u need to choose another less popular school.

[floppy]

zac's mum:

...
Is the child's mother tongue or dialect group (Tamil) indicated on the birth cert? I don't think so right? ...

Birth certificate, under Mother's Particulars:
Race / Dialect Group
Ditto for the Father.

Thus,
Indian / Tamil + Indian / Tamil = Indian / Tamil

If anyone can suka-suka choose, it will be called a 2nd language policy and not a mother tongue policy.

[zac's mum]

Just for discussion’s sake, what happens in the case of a mixed-race child? Does MOE look at the mother’s race & language to determine which mother tongue the child should study?

[floppy]

zac's mum:

Just for discussion's sake, what happens in the case of a mixed-race child? Does MOE look at the mother's race & language to determine which mother tongue the child should study?

It's called Mother Tongue Policy but not necessarily to follow the mother's race & language. In such instances, you are free to choose either the father's or mother's language (most people end up choosing Mandarin if either one is a Chinese because it is the most practical).

[bringus2sg]

Hello Everyone,


If I am an alumni of both Henry Park Primary and ACS, which would you choose? Only have a boy