Are All Primary Schools The Same?

[Not_Kiasu]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2116390\" time=\"1692150929\" user_id=\"3:

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.

I saw an online article that many parents want their children to enter popular/famous primary schools because it is very difficult for a primary school to produce MANY academically strong PSLE scorers.

Why? Primary school children come from all walks of life. Enrollment into a primary school has absolutely zero link to the K2 child's academic ability. There is no entrance test to do BEFORE enrolling into a Primary School. Priority phases include the child's parents' alumni links, the child's parent's employment (e.g is a staff of a Pri Sch), child's parent's volunteer hours, the child has an elder sibling who is a former student, etc. Everything is/are thanks to the parents or the Kor Kor/ Jie Jie. Or even thanks to the parent's financial ability to purchase or rent a house within 1KM to earn higher chances of a ballot.

Enter Secondary School, JC, Poly, University all need to see the student's academic grades, CCA achievements, leadership, character, etc. All these are thanks to the child's OWN achievements and merit.

So, how to enter a good Secondary School? Have good PSLE results. Hence, let the game begin...

[ChiefKiasu]

Not_Kiasu\" post_id=\"2116460\" time=\"1692230997\" user_id=\"202508:

I saw an online article that many parents want their children to enter popular/famous primary schools because it is very difficult for a primary school to produce MANY academically strong PSLE scorers.

Why? Primary school children come from all walks of life. Enrollment into a primary school has absolutely zero link to the K2 child's academic ability. There is no entrance test to do BEFORE enrolling into a Primary School. Priority phases include the child's parents' alumni links, the child's parent's employment (e.g is a staff of a Pri Sch), child's parent's volunteer hours, the child has an elder sibling who is a former student, etc. Everything is/are thanks to the parents or the Kor Kor/ Jie Jie. Or even thanks to the parent's financial ability to purchase or rent a house within 1KM to earn higher chances of a ballot.

Enter Secondary School, JC, Poly, University all need to see the student's academic grades, CCA achievements, leadership, character, etc. All these are thanks to the child's OWN achievements and merit.

So, how to enter a good Secondary School? Have good PSLE results. Hence, let the game begin...

This is an interesting afterthought. So it seems like \"competition\" really starts in entry to Secondary schools.

But I would beg to differ. What about all those kids from MOE Kindergartens who gets priority in Phase 2A? So these lucky kids who had some education in MK are deemed more \"eligible\" than normal folks? Because they have been educated under MK teachings?

I still believe that competition starts way more earlier than Secondary school.

[Liew Nga Wing]

ChiefKiasu\" post_id=\"2116468\" time=\"1692236699\" user_id=\"3:

This is an interesting afterthought. So it seems like \"competition\" really starts in entry to Secondary schools.

But I would beg to differ. What about all those kids from MOE Kindergartens who gets priority in Phase 2A? So these lucky kids who had some education in MK are deemed more \"eligible\" than normal folks? Because they have been educated under MK teachings?

I still believe that competition starts way more earlier than Secondary school.

Just wonder whether kids have to sit for any exam or interview for enrolling into MOE Kindergartens?

[Not_Kiasu]

@tankee Govt did a great job convincing us that all schools are good. Actually if you think deeper, the good becomes the fundamental baseline.