Opinions of the Primary School Registration System

[markfch]

3Boys:

Well, we are at the nascent stages yes? Before we get into details, is there at least a high level agreement that

1) having a large amount of P-school places locked away by 2A for popular schools is undesirable,

2) that any solution will likely impact on some of those that have got 'guaranteed' 2A places

And work from there?

If there is no agreement here, then it is pointless moving past this point, as this will predictably get bogged down with differing people getting into different preferences about details, not being united in any one push back EXCEPT the desire to maintain status quo.

For this, I think it's best to let those parents personally affected by phase 2A to respond. So far we've been bombarding the problem, perceived or otherwise, for majority of the last 30 pages.

At the risk of sounding like a broken record, I just want to reiterate that most of us are hesitant to support any change because so far we've not seen evidence of any proposed solution that is an improvement over the old one. As such, we remained unconvinced.

If we focus on solutioning, then only can this thread move in a different direction. Shall we wait for phase 2A parents to respond? Anyway from your reply, I'm sure you're keeping something up your sleeve ....

[janet88]

hquek:

That much is a truism. but I do support if alumni, sch advisory board (what is it they do really) are more active and thereby 'earn their stripes' in getting priority registration.


My fren told me her hubby join the alumni of his old school and was asked if he would like to be part of organizing committee. Apparently, most of the alumni are sleeping members only.

Hubby told me his friend didn't join the alumni as there are many meetings to attend. I didn't join the alumni just so to be in Phase 2A1...besides, I don't have the time to attend meetings either.

[3Boys]

Right,

some traction FINALLY!

At least some folk are beginning to open up to the idea that the school admissions system is not all that it is cut out to be, and that perhaps we can do more than just shrug our shoulders and say \"Too hard to fix, no better alternative, just keep to status quo lah.\"


Phase 1, I don't really have an issue with, there are some practical advantages to having kids in the same school at the same time. However, lest it be said I am a party with 'vested interest' in this as well, I am happy to put it on the table for review if the majority so desire.

Phase 2A1/2 - Lets call this 'connected to school' group.

a. Can we agree that TUR for Phase 2A >60% for popular schools (and rising, as the case may be for some) is not acceptable for institutions that draw the majority of their funding from taxpayers money?

b. Can we agree that providing support financially, or contributions in kind (free professional services that would otherwise cost $$) in order to provide a rationale for Phase 2A to remain exclusive to 'connected to school' group' has vulnerabilities to abuse and although likely allowable, needs proper oversight?

c. Can we agree that NOT all in Phase 2A are equally deserving of priority places? That a distinction needs to be drawn between the school advisory member who has committed a decade of his time prior to his child coming in, vs a hanger-on who produces his school report card on the day of P1 registration and disappears thereafter? If those on the inside do not draw this distinction and continue this coziness, those on the outside will draw it for you.

d. Can we agree that in the interest of, the much maligned word, 'fairness', that some who are in a cushy 2A position MAY lose their slots to those presently outside of it? This is fundamental. If there is no acceptance of this, then it is merely status quo, and no discussion can be had.

e. Can we agree to put aside our potential 'vested interest' in preserving an advantage from our offspring and look at it from a general policy point of view, taking into account the considerations of the parents who may not be as clued-in or have some of the resources that we here at KSP have?

Before we launch into a discussion on details of implementation, we must first agree WHY and IF we want to implement. Are we there yet?

[3Boys]

markfch:

If we focus on solutioning, then only can this thread move in a different direction. Shall we wait for phase 2A parents to respond? Anyway from your reply, I'm sure you're keeping something up your sleeve ....

mark,
I have been in those situations before. Unfortunately if you try to work details of a proposal without first gaining high level agreement, what occurs is that the 'mass' (lets just call it that for a minute) is amorphous and do not have a unified position (except don't change anything). The criticisms that fly will be plenty, but not coherent or consistent (except for perhaps 1 aspect, 'Bash 3Boys'), and it is impossible to have a clear discussion on points and trade-offs.

And I am not in a particularly masochistic mood this week.....

I do have some specific thoughts, but MOE is not my day job and for sure there will be some flaws. But that does not mean they are not directionally correct. Better to lay down a general agreement and work from there, otherwise, will just spin wheels all day long.

[3Boys]

janet_lee88:

..it's not possible to please everyone either.

No, it is not possible to please everyone. But it is possible to review a policy to see if it is relevant to present society, has 'natural fairness' and if it serves a larger proportion of society vs minority interests.

So it should not be an excuse to stop trying. If all the government and business leaders did was to try and please everybody, nothing will ever get done.

[janet88]

3Boys:

No, it is not possible to please everyone. But it is possible to review a policy to see if it is relevant to present society, has 'natural fairness' and if it serves a larger proportion of society vs minority interests.


So it should not be an excuse to stop trying. If all the government and business leaders did was to try and please everybody, nothing will ever get done.

There has been an influx of foreigners and the govt knows that...so they gave Singaporeans 2 balloting slips. But Singaporeans should always come FIRST. Please everybody ? That is no possible. If govt can serve the vast majority, that is considered a success.

[LOLMum]

3Boys:

c. Can we agree that NOT all in Phase 2A are equally deserving of priority places? That a distinction needs to be drawn between the school advisory member who has committed a decade of his time prior to his child coming in, vs a hanger-on who produces his school report card on the day of P1 registration and disappears thereafter? If those on the inside do not draw this distinction and continue this coziness, those on the outside will draw it for you.

what if supply of labour exceeds demand?

if the school advisory member hold onto his post for a decade, is he not depriving another from contributing?

[verykiasu2010]

absolut_vodka:

and get pple into trouble?? why shd i?

if you have no proof, don't say it

if you have proof, you are doing everyone a service. we can get CPIB to contact you via your computer IP number that you use to login in to kiasuparents.com

[absolut_vodka]

verykiasu2010:

if you have no proof, don't say it


if you have proof, you are doing everyone a service. we can get CPIB to contact you via your computer IP number that you use to login in to kiasuparents.com

is that a threat? how is telling u doing a service seriously? the money is donated for the improvement for the school facilities and not into the pocket of the principal.

[verykiasu2010]

absolut_vodka:

is that a threat? how is telling u doing a service seriously? the money is donated for the improvement for the school facilities and not into the pocket of the principal.

it is not a threat. i am in no position to threaten anyone

but from your posting of knowing someone giving money to gain a place in Pri 1, you are alleging corruption, that is how readers read it

if a CPIB officer is reading your post, he / she may decide to contact you