Petition to Review the Singapore Education System

[corneyAmber]

janet_lee88:

ksi:

[quote=\"Funz\"]IP traditionally mean richer curriculum for more capable kids. So more IP to cater to more capable kids. So if time comes for my DD to take her PSLE and she cannot make it into an IP school, does that mean she is lagging?

Btw, recently I heard an interesting case of a child who did well in PSLE 27x t-score, went into IP school but failed 'A' level. In the end the highest qualification attained at 18YO was PSLE certificate.....what happen to such kids?

Personally, I feel that IP is not for every child. When a child does extremely well in PSLE, he/she deserves a pat on the back for a job well done. Selecting of secondary school after that is crucial.
I heard of a case where this gifted child did very well for PSLE, went on to RI under IP program. Now feeling extremely stressed...just Sec 1.[/quote]How would parents know if IP suits a child or not? That is a million dollar question every parent would ask especially if the child is gifted and did very well in PSLE. OUR SYSTEM exactly admits such children, gifted and high PSLE score into IP schools! Is stress test a pre-requisite?

[pixiedust]

I am struggling to keep up with the discussions. Besides understanding the original petition, signing it and helping to publise it, we’ll need to wait and see, is that right ?

[BeContented]

ksi:

janet_lee88:

[quote=\"ksi\"]
Btw, recently I heard an interesting case of a child who did well in PSLE 27x t-score, went into IP school but failed 'A' level. In the end the highest qualification attained at 18YO was PSLE certificate.....what happen to such kids?

Personally, I feel that IP is not for every child. When a child does extremely well in PSLE, he/she deserves a pat on the back for a job well done. Selecting of secondary school after that is crucial.
I heard of a case where this gifted child did very well for PSLE, went on to RI under IP program. Now feeling extremely stressed...just Sec 1.

How would parents know if IP suits a child or not? That is a million dollar question every parent would ask especially if the child is gifted and did very well in PSLE. OUR SYSTEM exactly admits such children, gifted and high PSLE score into IP schools! Is stress test a pre-requisite? [/quote]I too just heard of 1 case.....child in IP first year. Hasn't been doing well in one particular subject (English??) and kena warning a few times. Seems like the principal now warning the child if fail 1 more time, out he goes. Scary isn't it??

[sall]

For students in IP sch, dd’s sch, at the end of Y4, they are issued a certificate which is equivalent or better than O level cert. This is what the principal said.

For students who can’t do well in such important subject like English, then it is better and wiser to let them transfer to another non-IP sch. I don’t think it’s cruel or heartless for the sch to do so, it is for the sake of the student’s future.

[meinteel]

Parents should first consider how your child managed to get the high score for PSLE. Is he capable of handling much more work load on his own? If not, take the normal route. The number of years taken till A levels would still be the same, the only difference is that he will be provided with the additional O level certificate.


One should be mindful that an IP student who fails his A levels only has PSLE qualifications. That itself would not even be sufficient for him to become a management TRAINEE in a fastfood outlet.

Do weigh the pro and cons of any programs carefully before throwing your kid in it.

[janet88]

pixiedust:

I am struggling to keep up with the discussions. Besides understanding the original petition, signing it and helping to publise it, we'll need to wait and see, is that right ?

I HOPE the newly appointed Education Minister Mr Heng, logins to KSP forum and view the frustrations & stress we parents at upper primary are facing. Since PM mentioned he is 'hearing the voices' of citizens from GE, then put a minister who can do something constructive asap. Mr Heng mentioned that he has a keen interest in education.

[janet88]

meinteel:

Parents should first consider how your child managed to get the high score for PSLE. Is he capable of handling much more work load on his own? If not, take the normal route. The number of years taken till A levels would still be the same, the only difference is that he will be provided with the additional O level certificate.


One should be mindful that an IP student who fails his A levels only has PSLE qualifications. That itself would not even be sufficient for him to become a management TRAINEE in a fastfood outlet.

Do weigh the pro and cons of any programs carefully before throwing your kid in it.

A child who manages to gain high score for PSLE may not necessarily mean he/she is mature enough to take on IP workload & peer pressure. Being gifted doesn't apply to all subjects, but the child is able to cope with weaker ones with more ease.

[corneyAmber]

cwc:

I too just heard of 1 case.....child in IP first year. Hasn't been doing well in one particular subject (English??) and kena warning a few times. Seems like the principal now warning the child if fail 1 more time, out he goes. Scary isn't it??

Is this a DSA by talent case? DSA by talent case also faces alot of pressure to keep up as the PSLE score may not be stellar to enter the IP school. So I am also strongly against DSA by talent if academic is not strong. The gifted and good PSLE case should have entered based on GEP and then good PSLE score. The 27x case entered based on GOOD PSLE score. So at the end of the day this PSLE nightmare seems to last until a child enters the uni. In the past, if there is a point of failure, at least there is a 'O' level cert and 'A' level cert to decide to further studies with private institutions or apply for work first.

Nowadays, the nightmare begins with PSLE t-score. One cannot loosen up until the child enters the uni otherwise only ends up with PSLE cert. :scared:

[corneyAmber]

sall:

For students in IP sch, dd's sch, at the end of Y4, they are issued a certificate which is equivalent or better than O level cert. This is what the principal said.

For students who can't do well in such important subject like English, then it is better and wiser to let them transfer to another non-IP sch. I don't think it's cruel or heartless for the sch to do so, it is for the sake of the student's future.

Is this new? Any official MOE statement on this as a practice across all schools? I felt really sympathetic towards that child who went through IP and ended with only a PSLE cert. which could get him nowhere. :sad: Most importantly, employers or private institutions recognise this certificate?

[corneyAmber]

janet_lee88:

meinteel:

Parents should first consider how your child managed to get the high score for PSLE. Is he capable of handling much more work load on his own? If not, take the normal route. The number of years taken till A levels would still be the same, the only difference is that he will be provided with the additional O level certificate.


One should be mindful that an IP student who fails his A levels only has PSLE qualifications. That itself would not even be sufficient for him to become a management TRAINEE in a fastfood outlet.

Do weigh the pro and cons of any programs carefully before throwing your kid in it.

A child who manages to gain high score for PSLE may not necessarily mean he/she is mature enough to take on IP workload & peer pressure. Being gifted doesn't apply to all subjects, but the child is able to cope with weaker ones with more ease.

I totally agree but you know it is really unnerving to be parents these days. I constantly worry that I make the wrong decisions for my child given all these uncertainties. Say, the above scenario you mentioned, as parents, we opted out for the child...sometime down the road, the child felt that he/she was able to handle but was not given the chance to try, how? We cannot turn back the clock. I believe other than being kiasu, there is a group of parents who also fear making the wrong decisions for the child especially when the stakes are so HIGH!