National Junior College (Junior High)

[Jennifer]

phankao:

You know, we only realised this when my child & I poured through all the materials given from Open House and online while preparing for the interview, much to my child's shock.

I am shocked too. Still waiting for a confirmation from the school.

[Jennifer]

mumoftwo:

Some parents raised this question during the discussion session after the school tour and the teacher reconfirmed all students must take HMT. On a separate occassion, he was further pressed on what happens if the child tried and still can't cope, and he said in it will be reviewed, as an exceptional basis. We didn't pursue and ask for specifics as during that period, no one was certain if they can get to NJC. Hope this helps.

Thank you for sharing the info.

[phankao]

Jennifer:

Yes, even in ACS(I), it is a must to take 'O' level MT paper. Btw, HCI does not make HMT a compulsory subject. This info can be found in their website. It is encouraged to take HMT but the sch wouldn't force it upon the pupil.

I think it's ok if my child takes HMT though. And if we're talking about doing MT for O-levels in Year 4, then quite ok lah. I doubt they will insist the kids take HMT for O-levels, right?

[Jennifer]

phankao:

I doubt they will insist the kids take HMT for O-levels, right?

This I am not sure. Do not remember clearly if the principal mentioned HMT at 'O' levels.

We hv decided not to take up HMT in sec sch even if he qualifies for it. The weekly tuition is able to prevent his results from slipping which we are already very thankful. To us, there is no need to \"struggle\" with the subject at sec sch just to take advantage of doing the subject for 4 years.

I had a talk with his tutor, the jump from Pri 6 to Sec 1 standard is very great. With so many new subjects in sec 1, I really do not wish to stress him with a subject he has no interest right now.

JMHO

[kuzco]

Erm, I'm a bit confused right now. :? Hope you can clarify this for me.


This is my understanding:-
Not all IP schools require their students to take HMT. However, all have to take MT at 'O' levels. So for those who do not take HMT from Yr 1 to Yr 4, this means that they still have to take MT in Yr 5? while those who took HMT need not continue with it from Yr 5?

Btw, mathsparks has mentioned about MT B syllabus. Pardon my ignorance :oops: , but what is this B syllabus?

[mathsparks]

kuzco:

Erm, I'm a bit confused right now. :? Hope you can clarify this for me.


This is my understanding:-
Not all IP schools require their students to take HMT. However, all have to take MT at 'O' levels. So for those who do not take HMT from Yr 1 to Yr 4, this means that they still have to take MT in Yr 5? while those who took HMT need not continue with it from Yr 5?

Btw, mathsparks has mentioned about MT B syllabus. Pardon my ignorance :oops: , but what is this B syllabus?

Hi kuzco,
SInce I'm on leave and so free, I've extracted below from http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/files/edu-booklet/edu-booklet-english.pdf
Hope it answers yr queries.
(From Page 27)
Eligibility criteria for MTL ‘B’
Key changes
> MTL ‘B’ syllabus may be offered from Secondary 1. Students with Grade C and below in MTL at PSLE will be allowed to take MTL ‘B’.
> Those with learning disabilities, e.g. dyslexia, ADHD, autism and hearing impairment, will also be considered. Students with severe disabilities will be exempted totally from the MTL requirement.
> Secondary schools have the flexibility to allow other students to offer MTL ‘B’, taking into consideration the student’s performance, language ability and the standard that he can achieve with reasonable effort.
> Students who re-enter our education system (e.g. students who return from overseas) and are unable to cope with the MTL syllabus will be considered for the MTL ‘B’ syllabus.


(From Page 31+7)
Pre-U education
Students need not take the H1 MTL examination if they have obtained a D7 or better in Higher MTL at the ‘O’ level as they would be deemed to have fulfilled the H1 MTL requirement. As MTL is an integral part of the ‘A’ level curriculum, H1 MTL cannot be replaced with another subject.


(From page 42)
Admission to University from 2008:
• GCE ‘A’ Level results:
- Minimum application criteria: 2 H2 passes, an attempt at GP (or KI) taken at
the same sitting, and an attempt at MTL
- Grades for the following subjects will be considered for admission: 3 H2 and 1 H1 content-based subjects (at least one of which must be from a contrasting discipline), GP (or KI), PW. MTL grades may be submitted for consideration.
- Minimum MTL proficiency required:
‘S’ grade in H1 MTL or pass in MTL ‘B’ or D7 in GCE ‘O’ Level HMTL
• CCA performance (considered qualitatively)
• Additional faculty admission criteria such as interviews or aptitude tests

[kuzco]

Hi mathsparks. Thank you very much for \"digging\" out such detailed information. The reason for my asking is because MT is my son's Achilles Heel. He simply has no interest in this subject :faint: and is not taking HMT in school.


I think I have gone off-topic in this NJC thread *paiseh* :oops:

[mathsparks]

Hi kuzco, you’re most welcome. No need to paiseh either. A lot of us also ride on certain threads too.


I guess the good thing about our much tweaked education system is that, provisions are made such that kids weak in MT can still have the opportunity to achieve as much as their linguistically inclined peers.

[Jennifer]

The reply from NJC finally came today "It is compulsory to take either Mother Tongue OR Higher Mother Tongue in NJC."

[turquoise]

Jennifer:

The reply from NJC finally came today \"It is compulsory to take either Mother Tongue OR Higher Mother Tongue in NJC.\"

That sounds like HMT is not compulsory. Interesting, because they made it very clear during the Open House/School Tour briefing that HMT was compulsory. Several parents sought clarification then and they repeated that HMT was compulsory.