Can through-train school work in kiasu Singapore?

[Veyron]

Some parents fear that if their children take a national exam like PSLE and don’t do well, they will feel like failure, at the national level. It is not that they are not trying, sometimes trying also doesn’t yield results.

[doodbug]

There will be two broad groups of secondary schools, i.e. the FSBB schools, and the IP schools (which are not part of FSBB). Does this mean the divide between these two "streams" is going to be very very pronounced in future?

[zac's mum]

Veyron\" post_id=\"2101288\" time=\"1678929774\" user_id=\"30663:

Some parents fear that if their children take a national exam like PSLE and don't do well, they will feel like failure, at the national level. It is not that they are not trying, sometimes trying also doesn't yield results.

Some of these kids try their very best. I know them personally. But their marks reflect that they are the bottom of the cohort. What do they learn from this exercise of school/national exams? Put myself in their shoes I will feel super lousy lah. Day after day, they are receiving the oft-spouted “meritocratic” message that “You Must Work Harder! Then you will see better results!” but only to find out that this is not true for them. Not for these 4 subjects at least.

But when they go to FSBB secondary school, probably not so bad when the labels are slowly being removed and the kids mix around without prejudice. They are perfectly normal and happy kids with other interests and hobbies, great personality and No behavioral issues (except when forced to sit and study lol).

[Veyron]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2101289\" time=\"1678932091\" user_id=\"13281:

There will be two broad groups of secondary schools, i.e. the FSBB schools, and the IP schools (which are not part of FSBB). Does this mean the divide between these two \"streams\" is going to be very very pronounced in future?

FSBB is a pathway leading to JC/Poly and University
while IP is also a pathway leading to University
FSBB students can also join IPs in Year 3

The more contrasting one are perhaps Poly vs A-level vs IB

[sushi88]

doodbug\" post_id=\"2101289\" time=\"1678932091\" user_id=\"13281:

There will be two broad groups of secondary schools, i.e. the FSBB schools, and the IP schools (which are not part of FSBB). Does this mean the divide between these two \"streams\" is going to be very very pronounced in future?

No. IP has been around for 18 years. Also the secondary track(with Express, NA, NT changing to FSBB) is a majority track. Majority from both tracks also have a converging future to the same local universities. In a way, going IP or secondary track is currently mainly by choice because not everyone is comfortable to only have a PSLE certificate if the IP track fails at A level.

[bbbay]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2101290\" time=\"1678932170\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2101290 time=1678932170 user_id=53606]
Some of these kids try their very best. I know them personally. But their marks reflect that they are the bottom of the cohort. What do they learn from this exercise of school/national exams? Put myself in their shoes I will feel super lousy lah.

But when they go to FSBB secondary school, probably not so bad when the labels are slowly being removed and the kids mix around without prejudice. They are perfectly normal and happy kids with other interests and hobbies, great personality and No behavioral issues (except when forced to sit and study lol).[/quote]

If my child is as described, I would feel bad for the child too. But I would also prefer face the inconvenient truth as early as possible for the sake of the child, so early intervention can be administered, because young mind is more malleable. If we avoid the inconvenience truth by skipping PSLE and leave it till the child is much order say at 17yo after O level, the same bad exam result may still be happening, it will be more difficult and also years will be wasted in not addressing the problem earlier. Best of luck to that kiddo.

[lee_yl]

tinker_bell\" post_id=\"2101099\" time=\"1678842571\" user_id=\"194652:

Ya i don't understand why MOE is so proud of their mathematical modeling method.

I always hear parents in the chatgroups complaining about how their kids are good in primary mathematical modeling method but have trouble in secondary school mathematics as they could not understand the algebra way.

This mathematical modeling method just make everyone's life difficult. No wonder why all the PSLE math tuition centres got their own methods.

https://www.oodleslearning.com/

https://www.ammielwan.com.sg/

http://www.nicklebeetutors.com/

https://www.conceptmath.com/

https://www.sakamoto.net/

These show that those who are from lower SES families will be disadvantaged at PSLE because they cannot afford good quality tuition.

So what do you propose to help these children who cannot afford the centres you advertised?

[zac's mum]

bbbay\" post_id=\"2101294\" time=\"1678934907\" user_id=\"175278:

If my child is as described, I would feel bad for the child too. But I would also prefer face the inconvenient truth as early as possible for the sake of the child, so early intervention can be administered, because young mind is more malleable. If we avoid the inconvenience truth by skipping PSLE and leave it till the child is much order say at 17yo after O level, the same bad exam result may still be happening, it will be more difficult and also years will be wasted in not addressing the problem earlier. Best of luck to that kiddo.

Child has been on school remedial program since P1. No special needs but slower learning ability. Been trying to catch up but can never catch up with the rest of cohort. They’re not burying head in sand and letting it fester until P6 then suddenly discover the child is behind.

[sushi88]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2101297\" time=\"1678935409\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2101297 time=1678935409 user_id=53606]
Child has been on school remedial program since P1. No special needs but slower learning ability. Been trying to catch up but can never catch up with the rest of cohort. They’re not burying head in sand and letting it fester until P6 then suddenly discover the child is behind.[/quote]

I know such kids too.
Honestly, any progress made by this child is considered good.
It is not important to compare the kid against the cohort and it is important to let the kid know only his/her own progress is important.
Also, MOE has special schools for kids like this if they cannot handle PSLE well and I believe the school would have spoken to the parents. MOE actually does not leave any kids behind.
They can blossom at varying levels at a later part.

[Veyron]

zac's mum\" post_id=\"2101297\" time=\"1678935409\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2101297 time=1678935409 user_id=53606]
Child has been on school remedial program since P1. No special needs but slower learning ability. Been trying to catch up but can never catch up with the rest of cohort. They’re not burying head in sand and letting it fester until P6 then suddenly discover the child is behind.[/quote]

This is perhaps the group of students who may genuinely benefit if they are allowed to skip PSLE so both parents and students don't need to go through the entire PSLE exam stress and preparation. Can imagine it must be torturous for the kids and parents if they already know the exam result will make no difference other than reconfirming that they are struggling.