Petition to Review the Singapore Education System
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I agree that in the primary school education, the ‘poorer’ students tend to be at the disadvantage as there are many ‘richer’ Singaporeans that can afford tuitions in many of the subjects. However, once the students get into the sec school, a lot would then depend on the students themselves. The reasons being most parents would have lost the stamina to go after their children esp after they have entered their teens and also the tuitions for all secondary school subjects would then be too expensive for most Singaporeans. Also by then, most parents are not able to coach their child in most of the subjects. Students with the right attitude and self motivated would then excel.
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PiggyLalala:
I agree that in the primary school education, the 'poorer' students tend to be at the disadvantage as there are many 'richer' Singaporeans that can afford tuitions in many of the subjects. However, once the students get into the sec school, a lot would then depend on the students themselves. The reasons being most parents would have lost the stamina to go after their children esp after they have entered their teens and also the tuitions for all secondary school subjects would then be too expensive for most Singaporeans. Also by then, most parents are not able to coach their child in most of the subjects. Students with the right attitude and self motivated would then excel.
Ummm... I have no issue about secondary school either. The petition and this thread is about primary school (given that primary school results determines the kind of opportunities one gets in secondary school).
I quite agree with this post of yours about secondary school. Though I wouldn't really know until my son gets in there. I have learnt that 7 years, between 2 kids, can change a lotta things.
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Chenonceau:
As I've said before, my son's only beginning his journey in formal education, so I don't know if your description if the education system is accurate, but I love love love love love this post! I love its sincerity and passion. I love how it very clearly articulates what is bothering you (which has kinda gotten lost in the 60 pages of posts..). I find it moves me more than the petition letter.Actually, seen from an personal perspective, I also find the system quite ok. There are ways to work around it. All I have to do is to look ahead and teach my son what the teachers have no time to teach, but still will test.
I did that this time, and DS is 2nd in class. We lost our footing earlier this year (and was super stressed), but we have an even surer footing now (and are stressed no more). My son is actually quite relaxed because it seems that the worst is over.
Seen from a personal perspective, I also find the system quite good because my kids are doing well in it. One already has a scholarship. One might make it. Of not, she'll still make it to a good uni. The last child is identified as high potential. Not gifted but good enough to be able to enjoy some of the yummy opportunities the system has to offer. All 3 are highly motivated, enjoy learning and love being stretched between CCAs and interesting projects.
Seen from a personal perspective, I have no problems with Teachers either. DS FT was unfriendly and unhelpful. I persisted in being charming and understanding and considerate and respectful. She is slowly warming up to me. DS' last year's teacher and I became such good friends that I went to see her in hospital, lent her books... and she sms-ed me today to know DS' SA1 exam results. When she heard that he is 2nd in class, she was thrilled.
Seen from a personal perspective, I really have nothing to worry about. The worry starts when I think beyond my personal situation. If MY son fails exams because exams test what is not taught in class, then what about other people's children with equivalent intelligence but NO ONE to teach them at home?
Of course parents can individually choose to be less kiasu so that their kids are not stressed. But when we do that, we think only of our own children, no? It's a bit like \"Ok... the public transport is full up, so I will drive. This way, no stress.\" I have a car. I choose to drive to save myself the stress. Every individual with enough resources can afford to make choices.
Parents who can log into this thread to leave a comment, are at least literate enough to be understood, and can afford a computer. We have choices. The picture is different when you are a cleaner earning $800/= a day, and you want a better life for your chid. You cannot afford to say \"Let's expect less.\" The family has no buffer. No ources to say... well... if you dun do well, we'll give you some money to sta a business. Or it's ok if you only have 'O' levels, we can migrate. If the child doesn't make it, he will be a cleaner too. I know a fellow (my batch) son of a laundry woman who went on to become a President's Scholar. I grew up in a system where the Teachers taught what was needed and so sons of laundry women and cleaners had a ticket out of poverty. I grew up in that system and I am sad that it is no longer true.
When schools don't teach everything they test, the child MUST have tuition to cope and do well. The laundry womasat
ith no money for tuition may have a bright child, but that child will never be like my friend - today a President's Scholar. I think the discussion about stress misses the point. The discussion about how parents should be less kiasu also misses the point.
If PSLE standards are so high that
(1) some schools feel the need to start heuristics in P1 and P2 to help their children cope with PSLE
(2) some teachers have to choose to teach different sets of material to different classes because there is no time to cover all bases for all classes
(3) teachers have no time to mark and give feedback on skills practice in a syllabus that emphasizes skills
(4) textbooks don't document essential process skills in a skills heavy syllabus
then the Possible President's Scholar child of a laundry woman has NO CHANCE in today's system. And no voice to speak his lack of opportunity today because his laundry woman mother cannot write as well as Chenonceau.
I lament that our system has left behind something I always thought important - meritocracy. I lament it because I grew up with it and know people who would be nothing today without it. I have lived in USA and France. I know both countries to be elitist. Rich parents can afford better schools.
Living there, I was proud of being Singaporean and key to that pride was the notion that in Singapore, it didn't matter who you were born to, you would still make it. Is it still true today? I am not so sure. I feel this loss almost as a loss of national identity, as a betrayal of whom we are and what the word \"Singaporean\" stands for.
:goodpost: -
Chenonceau:
I don't really have a problem with secondary school either, except for a few repercussions of the PSLE:PiggyLalala:
I agree that in the primary school education, the 'poorer' students tend to be at the disadvantage as there are many 'richer' Singaporeans that can afford tuitions in many of the subjects. However, once the students get into the sec school, a lot would then depend on the students themselves. The reasons being most parents would have lost the stamina to go after their children esp after they have entered their teens and also the tuitions for all secondary school subjects would then be too expensive for most Singaporeans. Also by then, most parents are not able to coach their child in most of the subjects. Students with the right attitude and self motivated would then excel.
Ummm... I have no issue about secondary school either. The petition and this thread is about primary school (given that primary school determines the kind of opportunities one gets in secondary school). I quite agree with this post of yours about secondary school. Though I wouldn't really know until my son gets in there. I have learnt that 7 years, between 2 kids, can change a lotta things.
1. Self esteem. If we teach our children to pin their intelligence or capabilities to that T-score, or the number of A's they get, it becomes very dangerous. Many well tutored students have a wrong perspective of their capabilities and when parents and tutors 'let-go', they fall.
2. Burnout. I have seen many of my son's school mates who are clearly burnt out. And I'm not surprised. One particular boy refused to do anything in Sec 1 and 2. Nothing. Like a rebel. This boy got >270. This is not an isolated case, I know a few more in the same school.
3. Rebel. A FEW of my son's friends who scored high for PSLE went on to do so badly in secondary school, they have to go into 'rehabilitation'. For some reason, without constant supervision and external motivation, they cannot get themselves to finish their tasks. Some of them I know were GEPers, whose parents/tutors will do all their research for them, like looking up all the difficult words in the dictionary for them in their comprehension. I found this ridiculous, but they told me their children had no time. ???
Basically, I am not for PSLE at all. I believe PSLE should be removed. It does nothing for our 12 year olds, who at puberty, need to sleep, grow and learn fun things (like styling their hair, sewing a button to their shirt, singing crazy songs).
How about using just school based exams and students' daily work, and for the identified 'special schools' (maybe for the top 10%?), students can choose to sit for a HAST-like exam? -
MummyThreeStreams:
Thank you for such warm praise. Really... thank you.
As I've said before, my son's only beginning his journey in formal education, so I don't know if your description if the education system is accurate, but I love love love love love this post! I love its sincerity and passion. I love how it very clearly articulates what is bothering you (which has kinda gotten lost in the 60 pages of posts..). I find it moves me more than the petition letter.
:goodpost:
Things may change for you... when the time comes. -
2ppaamm:
It does nothing for our 12 year olds, who at puberty, need to sleep, grow and learn fun things (like styling their hair, sewing a button to their shirt, singing crazy songs).
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2ppaamm:
I don't really have a problem with secondary school either, except for a few repercussions of the PSLE:Chenonceau:
[quote=\"PiggyLalala\"]I agree that in the primary school education, the 'poorer' students tend to be at the disadvantage as there are many 'richer' Singaporeans that can afford tuitions in many of the subjects. However, once the students get into the sec school, a lot would then depend on the students themselves. The reasons being most parents would have lost the stamina to go after their children esp after they have entered their teens and also the tuitions for all secondary school subjects would then be too expensive for most Singaporeans. Also by then, most parents are not able to coach their child in most of the subjects. Students with the right attitude and self motivated would then excel.
Ummm... I have no issue about secondary school either. The petition and this thread is about primary school (given that primary school determines the kind of opportunities one gets in secondary school). I quite agree with this post of yours about secondary school. Though I wouldn't really know until my son gets in there. I have learnt that 7 years, between 2 kids, can change a lotta things.
1. Self esteem. If we teach our children to pin their intelligence or capabilities to that T-score, or the number of A's they get, it becomes very dangerous. Many well tutored students have a wrong perspective of their capabilities and when parents and tutors 'let-go', they fall.
2. Burnout. I have seen many of my son's school mates who are clearly burnt out. And I'm not surprised. One particular boy refused to do anything in Sec 1 and 2. Nothing. Like a rebel. This boy got >270. This is not an isolated case, I know a few more in the same school.
3. Rebel. A FEW of my son's friends who scored high for PSLE went on to do so badly in secondary school, they have to go into 'rehabilitation'. For some reason, without constant supervision and external motivation, they cannot get themselves to finish their tasks. Some of them I know were GEPers, whose parents/tutors will do all their research for them, like looking up all the difficult words in the dictionary for them in their comprehension. I found this ridiculous, but they told me their children had no time. ???
Basically, I am not for PSLE at all. I believe PSLE should be removed. It does nothing for our 12 year olds, who at puberty, need to sleep, grow and learn fun things (like styling their hair, sewing a button to their shirt, singing crazy songs).
How about using just school based exams and students' daily work, and for the identified 'special schools' (maybe for the top 10%?), students can choose to sit for a HAST-like exam?[/quote]The above post serves as a reminder for all parents who are preparing PSLE with the child. Never set the target too high or have the tutor to plan everything for the child. While preparing PSLE with the child, it is important to train the child to be an independent learner, to plan for his own revision and to manage his time well. Maybe what we as the parents can do is to help out only in their weaker subjects and NOT ALL the subjects. Actually the best way to do well in any subjects, is to cultivate an interest or passion in the subject. Dont ask me how because I do not know too. But i know some teachers can
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PiggyLalala:
To train a child to be independent learner, we need to give them time to try being independent. We need to have FAITH in them and PATIENCE to wait for positive results. But parents so kan cheong with marks, what to do
The above post serves as a reminder for all parents who are preparing PSLE with the child. Never set the target too high or have the tutor to plan everything for the child. While preparing PSLE with the child, it is important to train the child to be an independent learner, to plan for his own revision and to manage his time well. Maybe what we as the parents can do is to help out only in their weaker subjects and NOT ALL the subjects. Actually the best way to do well in any subjects, is to cultivate an interest or passion in the subject. Dont ask me how because I do not know too. But i know some teachers can
I agree to do well in a subject, you need passion. The only teachers who can truly cultivate passion are those who love what they are teaching. Their love for the subject is so strong that it rubs off on the kids. They are needles in haystack. -
I totally agree with you that 'To train a child to be independent learner, we need to give them time to try being independent. We need to have FAITH in the CHILD, the TEACHERS and the SCHOOL and have PATIENCE to wait for positive results. But parents should not be overly anxious over marks esp with their lower primary child.
I quite like the new approach use in the current P1 and P2 whereby there is only one SA2 or no exam at all. Students are assessed based on some of the assigments to be completed in class. The teachings in P1 and P2 should be such that pupils enjoy learning and want to learn more and go to school. I suggest that there is no streaming after SA2 in P2. Streaming creates unnecessary stress on both parents and students as parents would then want the child to do well in SA2 so as to get into the Best Class in P3. Students should be exposed to all kinds of books, fiction or non-fiction, on science or history and be encouraged to read widely. The emphasis on P1 and P2 should not be on exam techniques or exam but more to encourage every child to be an independent learner and reader. A lot of information and knowledge can be learned through readings. -
In P3 and P4, teachers can focus more on concepts needed in the various subjects. Students are then slowly taught of the various techniques needed in answering exam questions. Do not overly-panic if your child has done not too well in the P3 exam esp SA1 ( say in the mark range fr 70 to 80 marks ). Maybe they have not fully grasped the concept or the skills needed to do well in the exam. And they will improve over time and practice.
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