Should DSA be scrapped?
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ksi:
When it is transactional, there should be mutual benefit. Otherwise, how to transact? Still, there is something missing when schools transact more than they care for the general well being of each child AND make it seem like they're doing the child a kind favour.
The other point I like to highlight is when such talents bring glory to the school they also bring glory to themselves in their portfolio, so there is definitely a benefit to the children when they invest time in exceling in the CCA. I see mutual benefits in this even though it may be deemed as transactional.
It is a transaction. No more.
In my DD's year 3 DSA children were MADE to leave. No remedial action. Just go. One set of parents went to great lengths to keep their child in the school. Volunteered extensively. Sat on parent volunteer board. From one week to another, parents disappeared. But maybe that has changed since then. It was many many years ago.
To be fair to MOE too, the school has since undergone a change in Principal. The new Principal made it VERY clear that such training hours were unacceptable. Perhaps my DD's experience was a one off. Still, it doesn't change the fact that the DSA is a transaction, and like in any transaction, ya gotta watch your own bottomline and make sure you're not short changed. No one's gonna care for your kid if you don't.
Things got so bad that at one point, I told someone... I want my DD to reach her potential, not die for that Gold. I do have high standards. I push my children as far as they can go. But I know my kids, and they're not geniuses and if I see that pushing even further will result in emotional and physical damage, I will draw a firm line there and you will have to step over my dead body to get at my kids. -
:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
UncleLim:
I think we should scrap PSLE instead.
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Does Singapore really have DSA, My answer is no.Becasue no matter you get DSA offer or not, you need go for PSLE.In fact for most of the p6 student who get DSA offer, their PSLE score are high enough to let them enter the same school. Even quite a lot students whose PSLE score can let them go into better school, then regret, appeal…why so many students like to apply DSA, the reason behind is same as the people buy insurance. In the end most of people pay much more than they gain, otherwise insurance company can’t be so rich. So DSA is only suitable for the students below(exception):
1) One subject is super (maths or science, belong top 30 in the country) but at least one subject is not good enough, go for DSA
2) No subject is super, at least one subject is not good enough, but super in music/arts/sports, belong top 10 in country, go for DSA
3) All subjects are quite balance, belong top 5~10% of the students, can try DSA
For the rest of good students,just focus on PSLE, don’t waste your time. I am sure you will get admission to the good school. Please remember why school offer you DSA, because they believe your PSLE score will be high enough. -
scrape off DSA - creating so much problem hassle, headache to parents.
totally unnecessary, extra & redundant!
have one common exam PSLE, to catch all ranks of students - is good enough.
going forward - scrape off this DSA stuff!
the logical sequence step of events should be :-
a) based on PSLE results alone - all students are ranked by PSLE results, right down to the minute x number of decimal points. from the top student nation wide Singapore of the entire cohort, all the way down to the last student's score. Centralized computerised system in MOE store & capture all these data of ranking, positioning and students' names.
b) if those schools like RI, etc want to take in good crop of CCA students to bring in glory for CCAs in her school - then conduct a round of interview for shortlisted candidates AFTER the PSLE, but who must meet minimum requirement of scoring at least 260 T score. This then prevent intake of those low Express score - who are way far beneath the benchmark 260.
for exceptional cases:-
if Ri school management decide to take in a pupil who excel in a particular CCA but whose T score is below 260 but within a comfortable, safe zone range (for example: within 5 points max drop range from benchmark 260) which they gut feel that the child should be able to cope with the rigorous demand of RI curriculum, then this is fine! but exceptional offer should be made - AFTER the release of PSLE results.
what's the point of letting your son enter such a highly competitive school like RI via CCA with a low T-score where you know your child can't cope academically struggle, knowing jolly well that majority of boys who come into RI score average around with barest minimum with at least 260 ? in fact, your son will tend to do much better & excel in another school that is less competitive, but exposed to much more golden opportunities readily available to tap & develop your son's potential, in leadership positions plus in other promising areas & aspects - that can groom him to scale greater heights, build higher confidence, and greater positive self esteem. -
If you get DSA offer, you can skip PSLE, then it’s fine.
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MrBin:
It seems that schools are taking in less of the category 3 students because they will be getting such students thru PSLE anyway.Does Singapore really have DSA, My answer is no.Becasue no matter you get DSA offer or not, you need go for PSLE.In fact for most of the p6 student who get DSA offer, their PSLE score are high enough to let them enter the same school. Even quite a lot students whose PSLE score can let them go into better school, then regret, appeal...why some many students like to apply DSA, the reason behind is same as the people buy insurance. In the end most of people pay much more than they gain, otherwise insurance company can't be so rich. So DSA is only suitable for the students below(exception):
1) One subject is super (maths or science, belong top 30 in the country) but at least one subject is not good enough, go for DSA
2) No subject is super, at least one subject is not good enough, but super in music/arts/sports, belong top 10 in country, go for DSA
3) All subjects are quite balance, belong top 5~10% of the students, can try DSA
For the rest of good students,just focus on PSLE, don't waste your time. I am sure you will get admission to the good school. Please remember why school offer you DSA, because they believe your PSLE score will be high enough. -
My suggestion:Use E(exceptional)SA to replace DSA, it’s only open for application after PSLE results released.School should allocate 90~95% seats to students base on PSLE results. 5~10% seats reserved for ESA application which can be divided into several groups. For example:academic competition; sports;music/arts;social contribution(leadership), those groups can have flexible PSLE bottom line. To be fair, the ESA finalist should be public.
Since it’s only open for application after PSLE, the number of applicants will dymatically decrease, the manpower can be saved I believe should over 1M dollars per year at least -
MrBin:
How do you figure savings of $1m per year? :?My suggestion:Use E(exceptional)SA to replace DSA, it's only open for application after PSLE results released.School should allocate 90~95% seats to students base on PSLE results. 5~10% seats reserved for ESA application which can be divided into several groups. For example:academic competition; sports;music/arts;social contribution(leadership), those groups can have flexible PSLE bottom line. To be fair, the ESA finalist should be public.
Since it's only open for application after PSLE, the number of applicants will dymatically decrease, the manpower can be saved I believe should over 1M dollars per year at least -
No real data, this is my estimation (from my point of view, it’s very conservertive). Guess how many students apply for DSA every year, they need go through different tests and interview for each school they apply for. All these need a lot manpower/material involvement , it’s not free. After PSLE, many parents find their children actually can go into better school,then raise many appeal cases (you can refer to the forum), all these need manpower to handle as well.No need to mention how much money and time each family spent to prepare DSA, in the end they still need go for PSLE, what a waste!
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Scrap all DSAs including the Geppers! Be fair to all kids and instill in them that hardwork is needed to get u where u want to go. All these Dsa r driving parents crazy and the kids feeling so helpless (the unfairness of some selections and empty promises given). The school wants us to put them as 1st choice but in the end we feel :stupid:
Preparing for Psle was
but now, nearly 3 months thereafter, some of us are still :stupid: :frustrated: :mad:
Back to basics and let your score determine where u go. This will eliminate the unneccessary elitism among these 12 year olds.
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