Are All Primary Schools The Same?
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This is a sensitive topic that many will try not to answer if given a chance.
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Just like not every parent is the same, not every school is the same. If every school is the same there will be no need for balloting during P1 registration for particular schools EVERY year.
While it is true that most teachers have little say where they get posted to, a school is a combination of different administrators, teachers, students, parents… Everything everyone does will have some impact on the well being of the school. Just like Qifa Primary. In 2009, some kid from Qifa was the top PSLE scorer. Immediately, from 2010 onwards, the school is ALWAYS filled up by the end Phase 2C, and rarely, Phase 2CS. Prior to 2010, it never had to ballot at all.
So, it’s difficult to say that every school is the same, because we know that is not true. What we can say though, is that MOE has given pretty much the same for all schools, or at least the minimum given by MOE to any primary school is still pretty high. So at the minimum, every school is a good school. -
Not_Kiasu\" post_id=\"2116158\" time=\"1691900784\" user_id=\"202508:
Politics wise, the politicians have to sing the same tune, the slogan that
This is a sensitive topic that many will try not to answer if given a chance.
\"every school, is a good school\".
However, in truth and in reality, we all know that ... every school's standard, is different. Some schools are good, while others not so good. -
ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2116167\" time=\"1691912966\" user_id=\"3:
A lot of people underestimate the role parents play in the education landscape. In every school, the “parent support group” synergy can be a powerful source of strength for further improvements.
Just like not every parent is the same, not every school is the same. If every school is the same there will be no need for balloting during P1 registration for particular schools EVERY year.
While it is true that most teachers have little say where they get posted to, a school is a combination of different administrators, teachers, students, parents... Everything everyone does will have some impact on the well being of the school. Just like Qifa Primary. In 2009, some kid from Qifa was the top PSLE scorer. Immediately, from 2010 onwards, the school is ALWAYS filled up by the end Phase 2C, and rarely, Phase 2CS. Prior to 2010, it never had to ballot at all.
So, it's difficult to say that every school is the same, because we know that is not true. What we can say though, is that MOE has given pretty much the same for all schools, or at least the minimum given by MOE to any primary school is still pretty high. So at the minimum, every school is a good school.
A school with a better track record attracts parents who want the same for their children. Higher expectations will also lead to higher demands on the school teachers. In some schools, it is not uncommon for parents to voice their concerns to the school leaders, even to the ministry if teachers or exam prep are not up to expectations. A strong collective voice can be a major force in their quest for a better learning environment for their children. Interested parents might also be more likely to provide enrichment classes (be it paid tuition or taught by parents at home). This raises the bar for peers in the same school/class and increases the intensity (or pressure) of academic progress.
So I say, all primary schools are not the same, because their difference (whether real or perceived) will attract different kind of parents.
But parents, let’s not forget that, not all children are born the same. Especially at primary school, they don’t learn the same way and u likely won’t see the same results at the same time for all of them (some late bloomers or some might not bloom the way u want). Putting them in a pressure cooker too early might take away the joy of learning. Just pick the one most convenient for daily commute and is reasonably well run, because u and your child will thank u for this decision every morning. A well rested child will learn better in any school he/she goes to. :siam: -
Once a colleague told me reason he is putting his girl into a competitive Seconday school: that it is going to be a competitive working life next time, so why not let her girl get use to it early. Personally I disagree with this view. I don’t pretend there is no competitions. But I also see there are rooms for cooperation and compromise too. Seeing only competitions, is missing out a big part of reality.
But it is also true many parents themselves work in competitive environment. It is understandable why they have the view of subjecting their children to early “competitive training”, just like my colleague.
Parenting style is closely related to parents’ personal life experiences. To me, it is important we parents have to invest time on ourselves, to care for ourselves , to try to have a balance mind. We will be in a better position to make wiser education decisions for our children. -
Regarding competition/the competitive workplace out there, no doubt there is, but teamwork is also required if a company/organization/country is to progress as a whole entity. Pls allow me to share an illustration…
I had always thought my child was simply not “into” team sports. From my observations, he never liked chionging for the ball (soccer/basketball) along with other players, in fact he’d run in the opposite direction just to stay away from their kicks/elbows. So i enrolled him in those individual sports where he could progress at his own pace & meet his own targets.
But who knew, the other day he told me that he enjoys softball, precisely because it is a team sport and he enjoys the camaraderie from the team coordination & everyone having their specific role to play. The feeling of being able to contribute at what he’s good at, the feeling of the whole team working together to bring home the points, that is what sparks joy in him. It is the competition against other teams (not within his own team) which he thrives on.
Something which i have been mulling upon. So…what I meant to say is, competition is not necessarily bad, but it not necessarily works for every child/adult in the same way. My child probably won’t survive in top school but is thriving in the middle. -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2116388\" time=\"1692149176\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2116388 time=1692149176 user_id=53606]
Competition is a truth of life... there is no life without competition. Some try to mitigate challenges by \"eradicating\" all signs of challenges. Eg. making PSLE scores a hush-hush affair, removing exams, etc. They probably do it out of concern for our kids, but are these really good strategies, or will they kill off the very reason why Singaporeans are enjoying prosperity as fruits of our dedication to competition? I'm just thankful that SEAB still holds a high standard in ensuring that our children is measured decently enough, unlike in some European countries which were pandering to the wishes of many. Every time people complain about how difficult the PSLE Math exam is... I have a mixed feeling of sadness and happiness. I feel sorry for the parents, and yet happy that we are still true to our standards.
Regarding competition/the competitive workplace out there, no doubt there is, but teamwork is also required if a company/organization/country is to progress as a whole entity. ...[/quote] -
zac's mum\" post_id=\"2116388\" time=\"1692149176\" user_id=\"53606:[quote=\"zac's mum\" post_id=2116388 time=1692149176 user_id=53606]
Glad your son (and you) have discovered what works for him. My younger girl is similar - she likes to be part of a team, and just doesn't feel good in cut-throat competiition. But we like her as she is, and don't ask her to change her nature too much. In the long term, she won't be as successful as others with the same ability, but (hopefully) she'll be happier. My older girl is not competitive for other reasons - she can't take stress! For her, we have always had to avoid or moderate competition for her, and find \"softer and safer\" routes. Our hope is that she will always be able to have a steady job and pay her (modest) bills.
Regarding competition/the competitive workplace out there, no doubt there is, but teamwork is also required if a company/organization/country is to progress as a whole entity. Pls allow me to share an illustration…
I had always thought my child was simply not “into” team sports. From my observations, he never liked chionging for the ball (soccer/basketball) along with other players, in fact he’d run in the opposite direction just to stay away from their kicks/elbows. So i enrolled him in those individual sports where he could progress at his own pace & meet his own targets.
But who knew, the other day he told me that he enjoys softball, precisely because it is a team sport and he enjoys the camaraderie from the team coordination & everyone having their specific role to play. The feeling of being able to contribute at what he’s good at, the feeling of the whole team working together to bring home the points, that is what sparks joy in him. It is the competition against other teams (not within his own team) which he thrives on.
Something which i have been mulling upon. So…what I meant to say is, competition is not necessarily bad, but it not necessarily works for every child/adult in the same way. My child probably won’t survive in top school but is thriving in the middle.[/quote]
As in all things, society needs many varied personalities, and also needs to cater to the less able. Rather than press all kids to claw their way to the top (or as high as they can go), I think we should encourage all to do their best, and recognise their contributions. And if they are not near the top, then so be it.
As an aside, that case where the father killed his ASD twins - well, all I can say is \"there, but for the grace of God, go I\". Although what he did was wrong, I can somewhat imagine the pain he was in, and the sense of hopelessness. And his wife's depair too. How many of us parents hope against hope that our kids will one day \"grow out\" of whatever seems to be the issue that troubles us, rather than face it and accept it? I hope that others in similar straits can find better help. -
I feel that the more now I am letting my children do what they feel happier. These are the time we are by their side, we have the opportunity to guide them should they failed.
The current twins case is very sad. I feel a lot of supports needed not only from internal but also from external. -
Yes that was a very sad case indeed :gloomy:
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