Opinions of the Primary School Registration System

[LOLMum]

this is on moe website (2005) giving a general description of the duties of this group in phase 2a


School Advisory/Management Committee
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1) Serves in an advisory and voluntary capacity to support school programmes, functions and activities

2) Offers sponsorship and helps the school raise funds for developmental, infrastructural and enrichment activities to benefit students and staff

3)Provides links and encourages networking between the school on the one hand and the community, industry and parents on the other for mutual benefit and quality education

4) Acts as role model of active citizenship for students

5) Provides moral support and encouragement to the Principal and staff

after speaking to some friends cum teachers, seem that the duties and responsibilities are more complex than a pv.

as it deals with the more complex issues of running a school, many of these people are mainly professionals and not just plucked out from the street. how to be a member? you have to call moe or school to find out.

{quote
hi janet_lee88

The much talk about is alumni ie phase 2A1. For phase 2A2, this is for children of old boys/girls, siblings and children of staff. Anyone against this} quote}

yes, the much talk was about alumni :lol: .

thus i am still sticking to my original decision which is all in phase 2a should be given confirmed places in registration of p1.

[janet88]

LOLMum:

School Advisory/Management Committee

------------------------------------------------

1) Serves in an advisory and voluntary capacity to support school programmes, functions and activities

2) Offers sponsorship and helps the school raise funds for developmental, infrastructural and enrichment activities to benefit students and staff

3)Provides links and encourages networking between the school on the one hand and the community, industry and parents on the other for mutual benefit and quality education

4) Acts as role model of active citizenship for students

5) Provides moral support and encouragement to the Principal and staff

after speaking to some friends cum teachers, seem that the duties and responsibilities are more complex than a pv.

as it deals with the more complex issues of running a school, many of these people are mainly professionals and not just plucked out from the street. how to be a member? you have to call moe or school to find out.

thus i am still sticking to my original decision which is all in phase 2a should be given confirmed places in registration of p1.

After reading the responsibilities of what members in Phase 2A1 have, I'm convinced that all kids under Phase 1 and Phase 2A1/2 should be confirmed of places during P1 registration.

[citygirl]

Just read through 10+ pages on this thread and it’s obvious that a consensus will never be reached.


I personally am not in favour of any changes to the current system as I believe it is as fair as it can get, in terms of the priority accorded to the people who fall within each category. I agree that it might potentially close the door on anyone who has no prior relationship with the school (if all places are taken up at P2A) but hey, there are only so many places in the school and we cannot begrudge those who have that prior relationship.

To measure P2A applicants according to active or non-active alumni does not hold. How to measure and where to cut off? Even if a parent is a non-active alumni, who is to say that his kid is less deserving than one who has no prior relationship with the school, but wants a place because he/she lives next door? To me, at least the non-active alumni studied there in the past, helped build the school’s reputation and possibly raised funds for the school while he/she was studying there.

At the end of it, why are we debating whether governing board members, active or non-active alumni, teachers’ kids etc. are deserving or not? You could argue that they are not so deserving, but can you argue that there are others who are more deserving? Is a person who’s baptised as an infant but never attends church deserving to be in P2B? Is a person who got a couple of signatures on their SHHK application form when their child was born more deserving? Is a person who lives next door to the school most deserving of a place there?

And I like that relationship is the primary criteria, with distance as a secondary criteria. Because relationships cannot be bought, while distance can.

I do agree with some of the criticism leveled against the PV scheme - selection criteria not transparent, parents being exploited in some cases (accepting too many pvs or making them work 100 hours) and resources not being effectively utilised. But that’s all from the parents’ point of view. Look at it from the school’s point of view. Just because you are a lawyer and want to be a pv, if I don’t need legal expertise, I don’t. My focus is to run a school, not make sure that the pool of parents who want to send their kids to my school have appropriate jobs to do. Can you blame the school for needing only lollipop men? Take it or leave it, I say. And I know of many professionals who are willing to be a lollipop man for a shot at a place in the school, happily and without grudge. I do think it’s a great way to meet with students, teachers etc. and get to know the school better.

I feel that it is ironical that there are calls to change the system so that popular schools become less likely to create generations of elite, but these are the same people who want their kids to enter the popular school. Why? So that their kids can get what they feel is a good education in a good school and join the elite group in future. If we were so intent on cross-fertilisation of people, ideas, religions etc. why aren’t these parents banging on the doors of the madrasahs in the name of equality and nation-building? Why not criticise the gifted and SAP programs?

I am registering DS1 in 2012 and have done all my research. Sadly, the school I would dearly like to send my boys to is out of reach, as I am neither an alumnus nor have any church/clan association, and the school does not accept pvs. I might still try to move to within 1km, but will likely have to go for plan B. Will do all that I can within my means, legally and ethically, but it’s in the hands of God after that. Peace!

[janet88]

citygirl:

Just read through 10+ pages on this thread and it's obvious that a consensus will never be reached.


I personally am not in favour of any changes to the current system as I believe it is as fair as it can get, in terms of the priority accorded to the people who fall within each category.

Right...it's impossible to reach a concensus on Phase 2A and PV. No way can the system possibly make everybody satisfied. How can it be when population is increasing ?

I sincerely hope you are able to get your son into a school close to your choice. All the best in your P1 registration next year.

[dorisp]

citygirl:

And I like that relationship is the primary criteria, with distance as a secondary criteria. Because relationships cannot be bought, while distance can.

:goodpost: :goodpost:

My sincere wish for your P1 registration for your boy in 2012. All the best!!!

[citygirl]

Thanks dorisp and janet_lee88, I am praying fervently for a miracle everyday!

[hquek]

citygirl:

I am registering DS1 in 2012 and have done all my research. Sadly, the school I would dearly like to send my boys to is out of reach, as I am neither an alumnus nor have any church/clan association, and the school does not accept pvs. I might still try to move to within 1km, but will likely have to go for plan B. Will do all that I can within my means, legally and ethically, but it's in the hands of God after that. Peace!

Wow, good post! Thanks citygirl. Hope you get your child into a school of choice!

And I always feel that things happen by design (not ours but rather that of God). Somehow no matter where we land up, things will always turn out for good.

[janet88]

citygirl:

Thanks dorisp and janet_lee88, I am praying fervently for a miracle everyday!

Yes, although I'm not a Christian, I believe there will be a miracle and a direction for us to follow. I wish you all the best.

[autumnbronze]

Hi citygirl,


:goodpost:

I really don't have any major grouse about the balloting system YET because I believe the system was set in place for a reason. Moreover, I have not been 'affected' by it therefore do not want to comment on the pros and cons.

I am also kind of in the same position as you, in the sense that I have a pri sch in mind to send my DS to. However, that would mean a major upheaval because we have to move. As it is, we live abt 10 mins away from in laws who provide support unconditionally whenever we need them. And the current location is ideal for us in terms of amenities, near expressways etc ...

As parents, we will always try our best to give the best for our kids. But this is a huge risk we will be taking cuz there is no guarantee, by moving and doing PV (yes, they accept limited applicants), we will get our choice school. Its one of the 'popular' schools. If its a huge risk that we have to take, then it has to be a calculated one.

I have been ruminating about this for the longest time, because there are schools within walking distance around our area that I can send DS to. Then one morning, I woke up with an epiphany - my inner voice told me that things will work out, whichever way. I found some measure of peace after that.

So, for now, we will try applying for PV in the school. Lets see what happens after that and we will take it from there.

BTW, I do believe that you have done your research :celebrate: because I have come across your postings in the pri sch threads and you always provide sound and knowledgeable advice and I have been a 'beneficiary' of some of that

All the best to you

[Busymom]

:goodpost: citygirl and all the best for your DS's registration in 2012!