Networking Group - JCs General

[sushi88]

The nanny nation is changing.

[00skyblue00]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2099846\" time=\"1677900648\" user_id=\"100857:

The nanny nation is changing.

The nanny had long gone. Maybe it's time.

[sharonkhoo]

MrsKiasu\" post_id=\"2099845\" time=\"1677900502\" user_id=\"43981:

Not sure how it will be till more announcements made..but just thinking of studying without need to put that kind of emphasis on some exams is already exciting.

Exam sometimes can kill the passion in a person. Eg. some ppl just listen to self learn new songs..but tell them keep going through what needs to pass the exam..can really see the difference.

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Exams are valuable in setting standards and making sure people meet them before they are allowed to progress, or do some job. I wouldn't want a doctor to operate on me without proof that he's passed some exams relating to the job he's doing. But do I care if he failed Lit at O levels? On the other hand, I agree that there are many things, like learning songs, where exams are unnecessary.

Even if there are exams, the person can always choose not to be stressed and accept a poor result if that's a measure of his ability or the work he put in. I know a classmate (now a doctor) who decided that she wasn't going to bother to study for her Lit O levels because it didn't matter to her. I don't know what grade she got in the end, but she knew it didn't matter to her medical career, and I doubt she was stressed by the exam (which she took) or the result.

I think what's wrong in Singapore is that people have a knee-jerk reaction to exams - every exam is a cause of severe stress. It doesn't have to be.

[sushi88]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2099855\" time=\"1677903757\" user_id=\"143605:

The nanny had long gone. Maybe it's time.

Nah... we always have the privilege of having a nation nanny. All the CAs and mid year exams were checkpoints to help kids stay on top of their academic work. Keeping the kids in school for longer hours is also a nation nanny work. However, parents have found many tuition nannies, so nation nanny is trying to let go.. If more kids end up going tuition or kids have more tuition, after all the changes, then Btw, I am not saying tuition is all bad, some kids really need that extra help if they cannot catch up with the pace in class, just not all need and not excessively like 2-3 tuition for 1 subject. Or, there could be more kids hanging out in shopping malls more frequently if they do not know what to do with their free time since no need to prepare for exams? Interesting to watch....

[iRabbit]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2099859\" time=\"1677908261\" user_id=\"28674:

I think what's wrong in Singapore is that people have a knee-jerk reaction to exams - every exam is a cause of severe stress. It doesn't have to be.

I'm not stressed at all with my kid's exam result ... as long as he beats Mrs Jones' kid by 1 pt. :siam:

[00skyblue00]

sushi88\" post_id=\"2099862\" time=\"1677909246\" user_id=\"100857:

Nah... we always have the privilege of having a nation nanny. All the CAs and mid year exams were checkpoints to help kids stay on top of their academic work. Keeping the kids in school for longer hours is also a nation nanny work. However, parents have found many tuition nannies, so nation nanny is trying to let go.. If more kids end up going tuition or kids have more tuition, after all the changes, then Btw, I am not saying tuition is all bad, some kids really need that extra help if they cannot catch up with the pace in class, just not all need and not excessively like 2-3 tuition for 1 subject. Or, there could be more kids hanging out in shopping malls more frequently if they do not know what to do with their free time since no need to prepare for exams? Interesting to watch....

Those who frequent shopping mall will do so, whether there is exam or not. To help kids find their interest and purpose, not using exam.
Having tuition is to prolong the missing gap, giving fish rather than teaching them how to fish. So now schs do now impart diagnostic skills and teach them to make use of consultation.
In a way, if the parent never let go of the bike, will never know if the child can ride it actually.

[iRabbit]

00skyblue00\" post_id=\"2099622\" time=\"1677797403\" user_id=\"143605:

Birth rate is record low, so very child is even more precious now. Every child who can cross over the lowered hurdle is better than not crossing over at all. Will always remember those kids who didn't make it through, RV boys and those who weren't in the news. System change can only do so much. Dont think taking away psle, exams is what parents want too.
Read somewhere uni places are increased too. Very heartening that someone is taking notice and actually taking action.

They recognised that producing exam smarts kids is not future proof as tge world is changing as we speak.

I feel that the most precious present a sch can gift a student is the attribute of grit - the willingness to accept challenges, the courage to accept failures, the determination to stand up, and finally, the perseverance to try again.

Grit, not straight As, is what will determine how successful one's kid will be in future.

[00skyblue00]

slmkhoo\" post_id=\"2099859\" time=\"1677908261\" user_id=\"28674:

Let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater. Exams are valuable in setting standards and making sure people meet them before they are allowed to progress, or do some job. I wouldn't want a doctor to operate on me without proof that he's passed some exams relating to the job he's doing. But do I care if he failed Lit at O levels? On the other hand, I agree that there are many things, like learning songs, where exams are unnecessary.

Even if there are exams, the person can always choose not to be stressed and accept a poor result if that's a measure of his ability or the work he put in. I know a classmate (now a doctor) who decided that she wasn't going to bother to study for her Lit O levels because it didn't matter to her. I don't know what grade she got in the end, but she knew it didn't matter to her medical career, and I doubt she was stressed by the exam (which she took) or the result.

I think what's wrong in Singapore is that people have a knee-jerk reaction to exams - every exam is a cause of severe stress. It doesn't have to be.

I bet chloe chua will say otherwise... Lol.. This is another topic altogether. There are also technicalities in music and art.
I think all boils down to the individual child. Mine started to ask for some higher level piano lessons recently. More for consultation. Harder to find consultation compare to sch subjects as she doesn't take mep and no one in family has background.

Thats why MOE is not abolishing national exams altogether. Only scaled down criteria from 90 yo 70rp. some form of exam is necessary. The journey of training for an exam, builds the foundation required.

[lee_yl]

Let’s not get too hopeful that A levels students will now have time to pursue hobbies or interest just because one H1 subject is dropped.


In all likelihood, the time freed up will be spent to ensure that the other 3 H2 subjects and GP can score distinction. As parents and students will imagine that other students will spend the extra time studying or building up their portfolio, it will still be an arms race of sorts. Which is why, I expect to see more RP70.

Did MOE mention what if a lot of RP70 students apply for the same course? Will the Uni use balloting or look at other qualities to decide who to admit? If the latter, will the number of VIA hours completed become a critical criterion? Or will good interview skills (confident/articulate) become a key attribute?

If want to find time for hobbies, then first get in to the preferred course of study in University. After all, over 3-4 years in Uni, one has more time for hobbies also. It must be recognized that A levels only has 1yr 10 mths, which is simply too short and compact.

[lee_yl]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2099662\" time=\"1677811251\" user_id=\"13281:

Haha but the A level certificate won't look pretty :rotflmao:

For a course like Business, you'll never know what they look for in aptitude-based admissions (which more universities and courses are expanding, and now there are fewer direct admission places) - who knows they may look at Economics as one of the indicators if the subject was taken?

Yes, getting U in H1 Econs definitely won’t look pretty in A level cert.
And like you mention, will parents and students imagine what if courses like Business Analytics will look at their H1 Econs if there are many with RP70 applying for same course? Of cos it gives rise to unspoken pressure on A level kids to do well in the 4th H1 subject even though MOE says it is not required for Uni admissions.

To be fully credible, when Minister Chan said would only look at 3H2 then Uni should not look at student’s H1 as part of the admission criteria or else, a vicious cycle of needing to do well in H1 will not stop. 成何体统

Another way to further reduce stress, just give pass or fail for H1, like how PW will be graded.