Opinions of the Primary School Registration System

[limlim]

Musings:

While I appreciate a lot of response in this forum reflects an emotional
response from disappointed and frustrated parents, let's keep a sense of
perspective. I definitely don't think some of the xenophobic and irrational
response is this forum are something to be proud of and values we want to impart to our children. Rather we want to teach our kids to appreciate and learn from different cultures, be inclusive and learn from healthy
competition. Do we want to molly coddle our children and remove all competition from their environment to create an artificial environment for them so they have the best chance of excelling? This will be the result if
Singapore schools only admit Singaporeans - no PRs, no foreigners, no more high-achieving PRC kids whom everyone seems to rail against. Such
Singapore kids will be ill- equipped for the corporate world as well as in
overseas universities with kids from many countries. The diversity in the educational system, the cross pollination of ideas from people from different
cultures are the key factors to make the system strong and will equip our
kids for the real world. Would the Harvard, MIT, Oxbridge be so strong and sought after if they admit only their own kind?

This is a well written post.. and a good read..

While I agree that injecting some foreign elements into the schools is good.. for diversity/competition etc.. I felt that the influx is too overwhelming and too sudden and perhaps causing indigestion to natives.. Anyway.. your arguments does have it's merits..

[limlim]

Deity:

So let's hope watever it is, watever colour of IC ones is holding, let's pledge and serve Singapore, your truly and only country!

truth is.. many sons are already losing faith..

too many policies is driven by $$ (OT.. not totally related to P1)

[limlim]

pocoyo05:

`Son of the soil'. This is the very argument that the founding fathers of Singapore were against.

hmmmm.. a lot of pple nowadays are wondering what does the red/white flag with a new moon and 5 stars meant to them..

[limlim]

Musings:

What happen to the go getting spirit of Singaporeans? When someone does PV at 3 schools, i admire them for their persistence - nothing to do with nationality. Everyone competes on equal footing what.

Equal footing?

To do so many PVs.. wonder that person need to work or not.. or so rich and free can every day shake legs..

On the same principle.. let's look at meritocracy..

below is a picture..

http://i56.tinypic.com/2nv4fpl.jpg\">

[limlim]

ChiefKiasu:

I would ask why someone else who was \"less deserving\" was given the seat which \"rightfully\" belongs to my child. And since the cause is due to the \"influx of PRs\", I would question the manpower policies which caused this situation in the first place.

Our strength as a nation has always been based on our high tolerance and respect for diversity. \"Regardless of race, language, or religion\". That's the cornerstone of our nation.

Blue - I believe many of the complains is directed at PRs who, after getting all the good stuff.. pack up and leave. If that person becomes a citizen, probably there is less resentment, since they are committed to stay and contribute, like the forefathers of SG.

Red - Together with \"Based on Justice and Equality\". I guess these 2 statements are given a tight slap and a rule awakening when Opp wards are denied the same priority for a national upgrading program like MUP. That Opp ward not not given equal priority was openly acknowledged by our.. err.. leaders IIRC?

If fellow native Singaporeans are being discriminated against in their very own country..

Can one expect Foreigners to be treated like familee..? Oops..sorrie.. family..?

[limlim]

Khordan:

The one consolation that I had was that at the end of my education, I will return to Singapore, where not only do we tolerate people regardless of race, language or religion, we embrace them as brothers.

Sadly, in ten years, we have managed to tear all that down. Today, you see similar sentiments to Ms Hansen's being expressed in forums, in blogs, & all over internet. In fact, take that passage above, replace 'Australians' with 'Singaporeans', and 'Asians' with 'Chinese and Indians'. Post in a site like TRE & I guarantee you will get a large chorus of 'YES!'.

One should ask themselves.. what happened in the ten years..

It must have been a very powerful force to produce all these.... If the underlying problem wasn't created in the 1st place.. no matter how one try to stir, they will not get a ripple..

[limlim]

3Boys:

The irony of this policy will be that soon, the top popular primary schools will become Singaporean only, and the lesser neighbourhood schools will take in top performers from overseas and provide all their students with an international experience. Soon they will trounce the 'premiere' schools in PSLE, like that girl from Qifa a couple of years ago.

sounds good.. :evil: :evil:

[Kissgurami]

limlim:

3Boys:

The irony of this policy will be that soon, the top popular primary schools will become Singaporean only, and the lesser neighbourhood schools will take in top performers from overseas and provide all their students with an international experience. Soon they will trounce the 'premiere' schools in PSLE, like that girl from Qifa a couple of years ago.

sounds good.. :evil: :evil:

sounds good? might as call for closed door policy :siam:

it is like inculcating an incorrect mentality to the next generation... what happens to secondary schools then...? 2 phases -> Singaporeans submit their 1st,2nd 3rd choice followed by PRs/foreigners?

[limlim]

Kissgurami:

limlim:

[quote=\"3Boys\"]

The irony of this policy will be that soon, the top popular primary schools will become Singaporean only, and the lesser neighbourhood schools will take in top performers from overseas and provide all their students with an international experience. Soon they will trounce the 'premiere' schools in PSLE, like that girl from Qifa a couple of years ago.

sounds good.. :evil: :evil:

sounds good? might as call for closed door policy :siam:

it is like inculcating an incorrect mentality to the next generation... what happens to secondary schools then...? 2 phases -> Singaporeans submit their 1st,2nd 3rd choice followed by PRs/foreigners?[/quote]No.. I meant, the neighborhood schools populated with foreign students and trounce the premiere schools sounds good..

Then all the schools will have similar ranking.. isn't it a good thing? parent no need to be so stressed which \"branded\" school to choose, just go for the nearest school.

[Kissgurami]

limlim:

No.. I meant, the neighborhood schools populated with foreign students and trounce the premiere schools sounds good..

Then all the schools will have similar ranking.. isn't it a good thing? parent no need to be so stressed which \"branded\" school to choose, just go for the nearest school.

really don't mean to pick on your words but I meant, the neighborhood schools populated with foreign students and trounce the premiere schools sounds good.. = foreigners trashing Singaporean is good... :scratchhead:

So for schools to have similar ranking, we should separate Singaporean students to bring down the standard of the school and foreigners/PRs to bring up the standard of neighbour schools...? do correct me if I have misread what you are implying...

a rather closed mindset no? with a certain mix, wouldn't it be beneficial to have a collective mix and with the strengthen competition, this would help Singaporeans be open to what form of competition out there rather than just mixing with your own kind which sets a limited bar?

Stress on the kids, yes and no but with the evolving global society, which would be beneficial? starting late and finding out you are far behind the pack as you grow up or starting early and be at pace and reaping the rewards? (sounds kind of cliché)

parent no need to be so stressed which \"branded\" school to choose, just go for the nearest school

To me, these are self-induced stress by the parents themselves if they are chasing after \"branded school\". They make it sound like other primary schools are \"hopeless\"...

Just go for the nearest school..think there is a flip side to this, some are staying near a \"hot\" school so lack the chance to be enrol in the school which is near them. while another group has schools around them but want to pick the \"hottest school\" ...

Sometimes I do get the impression that primary schools are becoming as another status badge to pin your collar and say \"my kid is studying at xxx\"..

it is easy enough to say \"tweak the system or conduct a major overhaul\" but I doubt it is ever easy to \"tweak or brainwash a person's mindset\"