Opinions of the Primary School Registration System

[INNOVATE]

hquek


Policy makers will not tweak phase 1A as national interest is at stake.

[janet88]

I was from an all girls' school in Toa Payoh and YES, my daughter is studying in that school now under Phase 2A2. (Can feel arrows shooting)

Like what Busymom mentioned, mothers have sentimental feelings towards their former schools...but this time it's hubby who is MORE keen to register daughter there.

As for PV, it's not so much of re-affirming my decision. As a PV, we are 'free' to walk in school compound to see and talk to teachers but we don't sit in the class and attend lessons. I get to know what food is sold in the canteen and know the prices.

[hquek]

mummy168:

hqQuek: Think we can't equate PV with job interview. For job interview, once they confirm u and u do your job, they pay u. For PV, they confirm u, you do the job, no pay and they yet do not confirm tt u hv a place in the school.

Yup, there is this lack of assurance that parents find unsettling. Thus I always give my thanks for ksp for providing past data on what the situation was like in the past and therefore a fair assessment on what I can expect when it's my turn.

Parents MUST go into this with both eyes open - there is NO guarantee. Do grassroots also don't have, join clan also don't have. I'm glad that at least PV and clan do highlight this when one signs up.

[mummy168]

For discussion


Is PV the only option for parents to get a better feel of the school? Why not open house like what they did for polys, unis?

[hquek]

mummy168:

For discussion


Is PV the only option for parents to get a better feel of the school? Why not open house like what they did for polys, unis?

Not all schools have - esp after the epidemic scares (think it was Sars, or maybe H1N1).

[LOLMum]

mummy168:

Preciousmoments: A national policy that impacts all children cum parents has to be robust and fair. It cannot favour one party over the other.

That's the Equaity and Justice we pledge since pri school days.

LOLmum : Precisely, it is illogical that a child living so far away fr school get admitted under P2A while another living just next door do not under 2B/C

And Yes, the P1 registration needs revamp

yeap, it is so unfair that a kid whose family cant afford to buy/rent a place next to a top school be deprived of a chance to study there.

[janet88]

mummy168:

For discussion


Is PV the only option for parents to get a better feel of the school? Why not open house like what they did for polys, unis?

Doing PV is 40 hours...some schools 60-80 hours.
Open house is just a short period of time. How can parents get a feel within that short period ?

Doing PV is NO guarantee now. In time to come, I suspect it will be scrapped. After contributing hours to the school, parents somehow will have an expectation (it's only fair, why else will I be chalking up time for?)
Upon successful completion, you are 'promoted' to Phase 2B and if balloted out, that feeling really sucks.

[LOLMum]

mummy168:

For discussion


Is PV the only option for parents to get a better feel of the school? Why not open house like what they did for polys, unis?

to me, open house only provide 50% of the puzzle.

i only got to know more about the culture, the style of working of teachers/principal/parents after kids got into their schools by helping out in school.

to have a better feel of the school, you really need to network with the current parents. so the best way to do so is to be a pv. i know some parents who just go to the school, do their duties and leave. so i think it is important to chat up any students, parents, bookshop staff, canteen staff etc to find out a bit moer of the school.

as a pv, you do have an excuse to be in school so take the opportunity to chat someone up.

[MMM]

For parents whose kids manage to get into a "good" school via phase 2A now, I believed this is due to the effort that was put in by the grandparents and they are enjoying the fruit of labour now.


I heard from my mum that during the 70’s and 80’s era, there is no phase 1-3 or even distance based registration. My impression was the parents had to look out for school registration date on the papers, then queue up to get a place or gain entrance through "connections" (I suppose schools used to accept students based on donations, etc… back then). In comparison, I personally think the system today is probably more transparent/ fairer. Some might feel that living near to the school should enable a child to join the school (even if it is a "top" school nearby). On the other hand, there are alot of parents who will buy a house near the desired school thereby driving up demand/ prices. So I feel that we are back to square one. It’s a chicken and egg story as people will try to work around the system.

But of course some parents have other varying views on this. But I think we should all agree to disagree. Everyone is entitled to their own views and let’s not flame each other for that.

My aunt told us that she had to queue up at 3am to get my cousin a place in a "popular" school near her place back then. So her granddaughter benefitted by entering via phase 2A. To me, this is fair just like a man who inherited wealth from his late ancestors.

[janet88]

LOLMum:

to me, open house only provide 50% of the puzzle.


i only got to know more about the culture, the style of working of teachers/principal/parents after kids got into their schools by helping out in school.

to have a better feel of the school, you really need to network with the current parents. so the best way to do so is to be a pv. i know some parents who just go to the school, do their duties and leave. so i think it is important to chat up any students, parents, bookshop staff, canteen staff etc to find out a bit moer of the school.

as a pv, you do have an excuse to be in school so take the opportunity to chat someone up.

Thanks for the post. Glad to know there is a mummy who agrees that PV is a great opportunity to know more of HOW the school works.