Review Underway of the Educational System
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Oppsgal:
I think school work should come first. For CCA for sports if do away, after school tuition given by teachers, can be done with parents and friends during weekends.jtoh:
[quote=\"Oppsgal\"]do away the cca? Cca time can let students learn more by letting school teachers give tuition?
I feel that CCA is a must. And in my books CCA means a sporting/aesthetic activity, something which involves physical activity. Not CCAs like Robotics, or Science Society or Library etc. I don't want my kids growing up to excel in Math and Science but are nerds or bookworms who can't even pass basic NAPFA.
For school work, is harder for parents to teach as syllabus are becoming harder and harder.
So cannot really say that the students will become nerds or bookworms.[/quote]The problem with bookworms and nerds is very real. The number of kids who cry and fail at NAPFA tests because they're unable to run 2.4km, or do push ups, or sit-ups. Why? Because they join non-sporting CCAs in school such as Robotics, Science Society etc. These same kids go for tuition, piano lessons etc during the weekends - again, no physical exercise. And we wonder why they can't run 2.4km? The only exercise they get is during PE and we know that's not enough.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Which is why I'm all for holistic education. -
1. Revamp the "elite" school mentality - - rotate principals & teachers. Standardise all exam papers throughout all levels - no need to spend additional $ buying different schools’ exam papers and encourage teachers to share good teaching methods and materials. Remove affliation lesser PSLE COP which drive up popularity of some schools. Last but not least, ministers walk the talk - send their kids to "non-popular" schools.
2. Remove/Fine-tune the DSA system. It’s just another official "back-door" process. DSA admissions now still largely base on results - not the original intent of recognizing students’ other ability etc. DSA discriminates those parents (less well-off and less educated) whom does not have the resources or know-how to build up students’ profile.
3. Most importantly, review schools’ principals & teachers’ KPIs. KPIs drive behaviours. Schools are meant to be a process not an end point. -
jtoh:
What do you think if the schools make the recreation groups pay for the lessons while it is free for those in school team? Also the training (by outside coaches) for recreation could just be once a week and the training for school team is 3 times a week? Everything comes with a cost nowadays. Gone are the days the basis school holistic covered sports.MandyMummy:
I am also concerned about how they can achieve holistic education for our kids when sports are not available to most students. I may be wrong, but most schools now seem to accept students for sports CCA only at a competitive level. When is the best time to pick up a new sport other than our school days? No wonder, newspapers reported that 10% of school children are obese.
I agree. All kids should be able to take up a sports CCA. And to do that, schools should not focus on building up competitive teams only. There should be two groups in any sports CCA - 1) the school team (those who compete on a competitive level); and 2) the recreational group (those who want to learn a sport).
As you say, the best time to pick up a sport is during our school days. -
jtoh:
i disagree on making sports CCA to be mandatory. not all students enjoy sports CCA. i didn't and so does my ds1. Ballgames/gymnastics should be incorporated in their weekly PE sessions. I do not mind increasing the PE slots and extending school hours by say 1hr a day, but no to mandatory sports CCA.MandyMummy:
I am also concerned about how they can achieve holistic education for our kids when sports are not available to most students. I may be wrong, but most schools now seem to accept students for sports CCA only at a competitive level. When is the best time to pick up a new sport other than our school days? No wonder, newspapers reported that 10% of school children are obese.
I agree. All kids should be able to take up a sports CCA. And to do that, schools should not focus on building up competitive teams only. There should be two groups in any sports CCA - 1) the school team (those who compete on a competitive level); and 2) the recreational group (those who want to learn a sport).
As you say, the best time to pick up a sport is during our school days. -
I also feel that sports CCA shd not be compulsary. Perhaps if the schools think that it’s necessary to improve the fitness of its students, then maybe for those NOT in sports CCA, they will need to go for morning run, maybe 800m twice a wk. That should not take up too much time.
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I’m lost… did anyone say that it should be compulsory. I look look here and look look there… cannot find leh…
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jtoh:
what's wrong with bookworms and nerds?
The problem with bookworms and nerds is very real. The number of kids who cry and fail at NAPFA tests because they're unable to run 2.4km, or do push ups, or sit-ups. Why? Because they join non-sporting CCAs in school such as Robotics, Science Society etc. These same kids go for tuition, piano lessons etc during the weekends - again, no physical exercise. And we wonder why they can't run 2.4km? The only exercise they get is during PE and we know that's not enough.
All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. Which is why I'm all for holistic education.
there are a fair share of this group of students around.
is there a need to make it mandatory to have mandatory sports cca to try to transform this group of students?
What's the rationale for needing to past 2.4km? is it a measure of their competence to perform their given tasks? improper training can lead to more harm than benefit.
parents who do not wish for their kids to be nerds or bookworms can make time to jog or do sports with their kids after school or during weekends.
MOE has already implemented PAL programme for some schools which is a holistic approach towards learning during after school hours. PAL programme consists of 2 main areas namely Sports and Outdoor Education, and Performing and Visual Arts. lower primary students spent 1 afternoon a week getting together with their classmates to engage in the activities that surrounds these domains.
http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2010/09/developing-skills-and-values.php
now what they need to do is to ensure that after spending time at such activities, students need not worry that they still have to rush back home to finish that pile of homework due for submission the next day. -
Chenonceau:
I'm lost... did anyone say that it should be compulsory. I look look here and look look there... cannot find leh...
no body mention that it is compulsory.
i only said i disagree if it is to be made compulsory. -
at a point in time, i feel that the term ‘holistic education’ is just a nice phrase.
sometimes what kids need are not programmes after programmes in school. they want the free time at home to do stuff that they like.
i just hope that in implementing additional activities in the name of ‘holistic education’, schools should not shove down their activities down the throats of parents who do not share the same views. -
jedamum:
Currently... is it compulsory or not?Chenonceau:
I'm lost... did anyone say that it should be compulsory. I look look here and look look there... cannot find leh...
no body mention that it is compulsory.
i only said i disagree if it is to be made compulsory.
Sorry... stupid question.
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