Petition to Review the Singapore Education System
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vividlaurel:
In order not to loose these kids which as prevalent then, the govt saw this problem as most of them don't come home after graduation and that is why SMU was set up. At least the parents saved on boarding cost and the kids are not \"escaped\".This is a subject I am quite passionate about! So YES I do support this petition!
I also heard the education minister say during one of his election speeches that they aim for 30% of a cohort to enter university and almost at the same time say the education system is one of the best in the world!
If this was so, then why just 30% of a cohort for university admissions? Isn't the other 70% just as capable? Ok I understand that some will not want to go on to Uni, but of the remaining 70%, I am sure that atleast 50% of them will want to study furhter? Why are we depriving them and instead filling our universitiies with foreign students? How many of us can afford a foreign university education for our children?
My kids are still in Primary school, but unless this is not debated now, come 10-12 years down the line, we have a whole host of Singaporean children whose parents have scimped and saved for their foreign education who will never come back! The system needs to be changed and this change should start at the foundation - which is the Primary school system!
Sorry for the rant.... :mad:
As for why stream kids so young, I seriously don't understand as well. Their logic was they need to identify them earlier so that they can guide the gifted one in the right direction.
I have a friend's whose daughter is very smart. Unfortunately not as smart as the No 1. This No 1 who is only 20 - 21 was the chosen one. She was informed of this and advise not to do anything illegal and be law abiding for they are going to groom her to be someone impt. -
I think the current system is an ‘one size fits all’ with too much rigidity. Instead of grouping kids by age group, isn’t it more enriching to group by learning abilities?
Students should be allowed join older kids or younger kids in different levels.
Say if a P2 child is extremely strong in Maths, there should be some flexibility to allow him attend a P4 Maths class if he’s academically ready at that level. Similarly a P4 child who is weak in language should be allowed to join a P3 language class.
Okay, I am well aware this is too idealistic & it’s not easy to implement this on a nation wide scale. However, I really hope to see some sort of flexibility. Right now, there’s absolutely none. -
By the way, I’m not against streaming. If kids of similar abilities are group together in a class, it is actually much easier for teacher to teach and it makes learning more pleasurable for the kids too.
Imagine a class of 40 with mixed abilities, top 5 under challenged, bottom 10 super demoralised. And teacher should focus on which group - the middle 25?
Streaming is only stressful because parents aspire their kids to be in the top 2 classes. Just change that mindset la. What’s wrong with being in the bottom class? -
Oh, would like to add, this 'teach less learn more' is total nonsense!
Right now, teachers are teaching 20% while parents or tutors covered the remaining 80% :rant:
Of course we can always say we choose not to join the 'rat race'. This is true if a child is taught 80% in school, then yes, we can choose to let him relax once he's home, no point chasing after that few additional marks. However, is it reasonable to be taught 20% in school and expect to child to conquer the remaining 80% through self study?
Like what gahmen always say, must teach the workers how to fish. But our students aren't taught how to fish, they are simply thrown into the ocean in my opinion :shock: -
sleepy:
Totally agree. Streaming is not without problems but is a practical option. subject banding practiced in some schools is better.By the way, I'm not against streaming. If kids of similar abilities are group together in a class, it is actually much easier for teacher to teach and it makes learning more pleasurable for the kids too.
Imagine a class of 40 with mixed abilities, top 5 under challenged, bottom 10 super demoralised. And teacher should focus on which group - the middle 25?
Streaming is only stressful because parents aspire their kids to be in the top 2 classes. Just change that mindset la. What's wrong with being in the bottom class? -
I support this petition.
At least by p4/p5 most kids will need tut ions in one or more subjects. So yes. -
Chenonceau, that was a great analysis about bell curve. And how it fails to suit the objectives of the the objectives of our education.
One point is irrespective of the methodology, the point remains that psle is a placement exam. What drives us to forces us to drill our kids? The fact that the demand for good schools is high and we hope that by some means they can cross this hurdle . And we will do this no matter what the methodology. As long as we can . Even if in the process we kill the creative spark, the zeal for learning, and fit them into the black and white world of this is right , that is wrong - sorry no greys. (That’s not in the syllabus u see! )
Though isn’t it strange that is such a hot topic, but the same doesn’t exist in sec school. Is it not a proof that as the sec school syllabus being beyond the reach of some of us, and the fact sec school students are too busy to have time for parents to teach/check that this problem is far subdued. Added to the fact that the tuition are not the norm here.
Yeah, I am saying this problem started with parents entering the fray. But we are now in the catch 22 situation. It is now not a advantage to be an involved parent but a necessity. So much so that we feel the pressure. And not to get involved is unfair to the child since many other kids are getting help and support from parents/enrichment centers/tutors.
The long term solution is were parents can aid in the emotional and creative part of education and leave the academics to the teachers. For this we need good teachers and small teacher :child ratio. Yes education system approach needs a revamp, not so much the academics/syllabus.
The point is if we now make arts,music, sports a part of this selection exam, then the end result is we will kill the very interest they have towards these . -
sleepy:
If our kids are taught well in school and equipped with the knowledge to fish, then we can allow them to relax at home and do what they like. But hey, our kids are NOT taught to fish...in fact they don't know how to :mad: They are not even equipped with knowledge handling the school exam questions :rant:Oh, would like to add, this 'teach less learn more' is total nonsense!
Right now, teachers are teaching 20% while parents or tutors covered the remaining 80% :rant:
Of course we can always say we choose not to join the 'rat race'. This is true if a child is taught 80% in school, then yes, we can choose to let him relax once he's home, no point chasing after that few additional marks. However, is it reasonable to be taught 20% in school and expect to child to conquer the remaining 80% through self study?
Like what gahmen always say, must teach the workers how to fish. But our students aren't taught how to fish, they are simply thrown into the ocean in my opinion :shock:
I signed up my son for creative writing as I do not know how to coach him...he's been attending a comprehensive Eng program since last year (P4)...thinking of dropping the Eng program as it is financially tight to continue with 2 based on 1 income. After the Eng Paper 2 today, son asked if he can continue with the Eng program bcos the exam paper is tough...it's unlike him to ask for help and since he has opened up, it means something needs to be done. -
Sun_2010:
The point is if we now make arts,music, sports a part of this selection exam, then the end result is we will kill the very interest they have towards these .
Good grief! Why would anybody want a even more stressful system? -
chamonix:
:roll: yes why?Sun_2010:
The point is if we now make arts,music, sports a part of this selection exam, then the end result is we will kill the very interest they have towards these .
Good grief! Why would anybody want a even more stressful system?
Well, The objective could be a holistic syllabus but that would result would be a more stressful system. The kind of race mentality that we are developing, would make us race in each and every thing that can be measured. As it is, Developing a skill, an art for the sheer pleasure of it is seen as a waste (by many ) .
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