Mid-year exams to be scrapped in all primary, secondary schools by 2023
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Imp75\" post_id=\"2061327\" time=\"1647063468\" user_id=\"2358:
I like the way you think. Thumbs up!
Why are we so afraid of being displaced academically? There will always be someone more brilliant or more hardworking for that matter so why not allow our kids to enjoy their growing up process. I know I made it sound easy because my girls are already in NYGH/HCI but I never stressed them to be at the top academically. In fact they are not and I am not concerned and do not think tuition is the answer. I don't think spending a dollar to push up a grade means anything bc I do not have any huge wish/aspirations for them to fulfill. They could grow up like me, middle income but enough to provide comfortably.... what I have been doing is really to let them run their own academic journeys. I will listen to their presentation/language arts/integrated humanities assessment topics, discussed with them, hear how they articulate thoughts, sharpen their thinking skills etc. I don't even need to review their final product. At cca, if they have leadership issues, I will listen to their issues (mostly people management), share with them how we deal in the working world and see how they resolve in the end. I hope these can bring them far beyond the 10-15y of academic journey they have. -
Thanks Zeal mom…that would also mean no PSC or whatever scholarships or awards to be expected Hahaha…never mind la, I still think child’s well-being is still the most impt… except for my eldest (she stressed out over everything due to her competitive nature…after all she was a sportsperson), my kids stay quite stress-free in their acad journey so far…not brilliant but not cause for concern…
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“In a cinema, those in the front row stand up. Those behind will have no choice but to do the same.”…. How true :stompfeet:
Not going to debate on whether taking away the mid year exams will make it better or worst for parents and students alike. The truth is, the ship has sailed. Through the many announcements by moe over the past few years, we should know by now, the purpose (and direction) of these big policy changes is to try to move with the modern world that we are in, and to place less emphasis on academics only. Of course there will always be gung-ho parents and students, especially those with “resources”, who could immediately see the window of opportunity to up the ante by ramping up academics, whether by paying for more tuitions, or guiding the kids on their own. The ones who do that will be just clinging on to old standards, and miss the chance to evolve and learn new things in this new economy. I recall our ex-education minister said in 2018 that the education system is in the process of being \"loosened up” to reduce stress on the students. Not just that, in the ever changing new world our kids are in, AQ, EQ and ability to adapt and change becomes even more important. This pandemic also taught us that one’s mental wellness is most affected when things around us doesn’t work the same anymore, and we just have to learn to adapt. The system and environment will not change if parents and students don’t change their mindset. Imagine going to a cinema of the future, getting stressed up fighting to get the best view seats, when everyone is actually going to be looking at their own screens
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lassie girl\" post_id=\"2061347\" time=\"1647079482\" user_id=\"35383:[quote=\"lassie girl\" post_id=2061347 time=1647079482 user_id=35383]
Pretty generalized statement here that I'm sure doesn't apply to all. In fact, many parents have known for years that academics are not the be all and end all (they didn't need MOE to tell them that), and that many of these academic stars hit a wall once they get into the working world.
.....
Through the many announcements by moe over the past few years, we should know by now, the purpose (and direction) of these big policy changes is to try to move with the modern world that we are in, and to place less emphasis on academics only. Of course there will always be gung-ho parents and students, especially those with “resources”, who could immediately see the window of opportunity to up the ante by ramping up academics, whether by paying for more tuitions, or guiding the kids on their own. The ones who do that will be just clinging on to old standards, and miss the chance to evolve and learn new things in this new economy.
.....[/quote]
Regardless, I just don't see how reducing exams reduces stress. The stress or lack thereof is all in the heads of those playing the game. It is also possible to be stress-free while doing what you can to give the child a good chance to succeed (and yet willing to be content with whatever results come back).
In fact, building resilience and the determination to work through difficult things is one long-term characteristic that is hidden within academics. It's not that you need to get AL1, A1, or whatever, but that you figure out how to improve from wherever you are, even it is challenging and uncomfortable. The other option is to say \"I'm just not good at that\" (fixed mindset). In the long-run, this trait is worth 100x any results slip or posting result.
Parents who are spending their own time to understand what the child is doing, what they are good at, and where they can improve are hardly \"clinging on to old standards.\" They are doing what they can to fully develop the child, and hope whatever potential exists is maximized. -
Nasi Lemak\" post_id=\"2061321\" time=\"1647058289\" user_id=\"188813:[quote=\"Nasi Lemak\" post_id=2061321 time=1647058289 user_id=188813]
This PRC mum very 醒目, must be one of those standing up in the 1st rows, lol.
A PRC mum once told me. In a cinema, those in the front row stand up. Those behind will have no choice but to do the same.[/quote]
Singaporeans generally listen to the govt. When our government asks us to sit down, we will continue to be seated even though our views are blocked. -
Imp75\" post_id=\"2061323\" time=\"1647061495\" user_id=\"2358:
With mid year exams (and current stress level), RI/HCI now already has a large portion of PRCs/South Asians (new citizens and foreigners).
No need to wait 10y. Now you go ask your dd her classmates profile and you will roughly know how many local born and bred Singaporeans (ie not new citizens)are in each class....
Next time no more mid year exam, will more Singaporeans get into RI/HCI? Let’s be realistic about it.
Govt is silent about the likely consequences of the % of foreigners and new citizens in good schools which will likely increase and down the road, it is likely that the places in local Unis will go to them as well. By the time these students graduate, top jobs will also go to them.
Singaporeans want less stress, yet Singaporeans still want to go to top schools. Will Singaporeans be happy when the portion of PRCs/South Asians in RI and HCI continues to grow? Singaporeans sure aren’t happy when jobs are replaced by them as well.
All policies have consequences… -
Recently, I become a frightened bird (惊弓之鸟) after condemned here and hesitate to say out my view. Hope this post will not be deleted.
I just wanted to explain what I saw in my working place. I am working in a Government sector. In my department, there are many colleagues are foreigners. They came from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand, etc. But they are all very splendid, hardworking and helpful colleagues and no one in the office will label us who are Singaporeans and who are foreigners. In the management’s eye, they will promote the one with best performance not whether you are Singaporeans or not. Our sector has been able to run smoothly during this pandemic as supported by our workers (including foreigners).
When I joined the Government sector in 24 years ago, we won’t care whether our boss or our colleagues was Chinese, Indians or Malay, then why we need to label the students in our schools whether they are Singaporeans or foreigners? -
Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=\"2061401\" time=\"1647144008\" user_id=\"195250:[quote=\"Liew Nga Wing\" post_id=2061401 time=1647144008 user_id=195250]
I worked in the Govt sector before. My question is different from yours. Why govt scholars get promoted faster than non-scholars?
Recently, I become a frightened bird (惊弓之鸟) after condemned here and hesitate to say out my view. Hope this post will not be deleted.
I just wanted to explain what I saw in my working place. I am working in a Government sector. In my department, there are many colleagues are foreigners. They came from Malaysia, China, Indonesia, Myanmar and Thailand, etc. But they are all very splendid, hardworking and helpful colleagues and no one in the office will label us who are Singaporeans and who are foreigners. In the management's eye, they will promote the one with best performance not whether you are Singaporeans or not. Our sector has been able to run smoothly during this pandemic as supported by our workers (including foreigners).
When I joined the Government sector in 24 years ago, we won't care whether our boss or our colleagues was Chinese, Indians or Malay, then why we need to label the students in our schools whether they are Singaporeans or foreigners?[/quote]
Not I want to label, it is a reflection of Singaporeans’ sentiments in general. I don’t mind when foreigners are a tiny minority but when the tables are turned and S’poreans are in the minority, I would be very concerned. -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2061403\" time=\"1647148257\" user_id=\"17023:
Everywhere the scholars are viewed differently from the pack not just in public sector.
I worked in the Govt sector before. My question is different from yours. Why govt scholars get promoted faster than non-scholars?
Not I want to label, it is a reflection of Singaporeans’ sentiments in general. I don’t mind when foreigners are a tiny minority but when the tables are turned and S’poreans are in the minority, I would be very concerned.
At some point in time, born and bred Singaporeans becoming minority may become a reality just cos of the low birthrate ....so by then its not just schools but everywhere else we see many more new citizens.... -
lee_yl\" post_id=\"2061403\" time=\"1647148257\" user_id=\"17023:
From my side, I didn't find our Government scholars have any privileges in promotion. Of course some of them are really smart and hardworking colleagues so they deserved the promotion not because they are scholars. There are also a few scholars who cannot perform during the 3 year bond contract and resigned after the contract is ended.
I worked in the Govt sector before. My question is different from yours. Why govt scholars get promoted faster than non-scholars?
Not I want to label, it is a reflection of Singaporeans’ sentiments in general. I don’t mind when foreigners are a tiny minority but when the tables are turned and S’poreans are in the minority, I would be very concerned.
If only if one day...as you stated \"Singaporeans become minority\", then I think we have to look into the problem why we are (技不如人) skill level not good as others. However, I still believe my step son, my nephew and nieces and their DS and DD in future will be well educated and become the pillars of Singapore.
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