MOE should give P1 registration priority to SG kids?

[LOLMum]

Ichigokun:

tankee:

[


what exactly do you have in mind?

whether NS is still relevant and necessary for Singapore?

I think NS should NOT be compulsory for all people living in Singapore. Look at those economically stable and still strong-in-their-army countries like China.

It's not like we can't survive without armies.

In China, you can choose whether you want to join NS or not. Guys have the choice, so does the ladies.

aiyoh, china ah? the population there is so huge, why do they need an enforcement? many people join the army cos' of the money (even if it is little, it is still better than being out of work, no $$$). also easy way to make $$$ (dont think i need to say what the colour the $$$ is) is to join the army, police force etc.

yes, other countries might not attack us but what if there are some itchy backsides on theis island who decide to bomb here and there, and we end up like sri lanka (for example). can our police protect us?

[znzyzyzx]

vicki:

znzyzyzx:

My ex-colleague, denounced his spore PR when it was time for him to do NS (which he said was applied for him by his father and he did not study in spore, so did not enjoy any benefit, so why should he serve NS ?). But few years later, he came to work in spore. And we welcome him and give him a work pass, no question asked.

I doubt it's no qn asked. I personally know of a ex-Singaporean who is on workpass now. He's in a high level position in a 'branded' company. N I heat that generally his permit is only renewed after 3 appeals n lots of reference, n he has a nagging fear that it might be revoked anytime.

This side Of the story u will never hear from the applicant. I mean it's not something that u can boast abt rite? The ' boasting' part is what one will usually tell pple - ie, easily obtain the pass although ex SG or PR.

Well , as u can see, ur friend is a ex-sporean, so he faced more difficulty. For my colleague , Ex-PR only, so really no question asked. Except that it took longer for him to get aproval at that time. But in the end, he still got it , and at that time i almost about to introduce my nephew to take the job as he couldnt find a job after graduating more than 2 years from NUS. But in the end , his permit was approved and he got the job, and thus deprived a sporean who did his NS , a job.

[absolut_vodka]

If the ministers want to convince us that all schools are the same, then they should prove to us by putting their own children/grandchildren into neighbourhood schools that are not popular.


I was formerly from one of the top all gals school and to be honest, though I love my school and all that it has provided for me, I am half-hearted to send my dd there due to the distance. Obviously, there will be some willing to trade places with me since it’s definitely not an easy school to get into. I spent a good 11years (coz there used to be pre-primary available for enrollment) waking up at 5am to go to school and on some days only get home after the sun sets due to CCA or extra lessons and I can’t imagine putting my dd through the whole agony. However, the schools around the vicinity of where I stay are all popular schools which are impossible to get in if I don’t do something. The nearest one is even outside of 1km.

And to make matters worse, my hb’s primary school has already closed down and that means for my ds (the younger one), I eventually will have to do something.

I realized after reading through the couple of related threads that there will be no pleasing everyone. Every current scheme has its pros and cons but it’s not fair to one group or another.

So I asked dh what is his ideal registration process would look like, given that he has no links that he can use to get our kids into school and this is what he suggested:

1) to combat the low birth rate, local families (meaning citizens) with three or more kids get to select the school of their choice first. Given that education is a concern for many parents, this may well be one way to ‘push’ couples to have more than 1. This practice was used previously by the Govt. when they were pushing ‘stop at two’. Women who were willing to undergo ligation procedures to stop at two were given priority in school selection. I remember one minister saying that education paves the way out of poverty for low income families. If there needs to be a cap on the numbers then maybe 5 km radius from their existing residence since that would ‘enlarge’ the pool of schools available for selection.

2) next phase would be for local families with two or more kids as above.

3) followed up balloting for SG citizens with one child. If there is a need to further differentiate locally born and bred citizens from new citizens, then one more ballot should be given to those whose fathers have served NS as a further recognition of the sacrifice made. Once the citizens have been admitted, the remaining spaces can be opened up to PRs and foreigners for balloting.

This is essentially a ‘Singaporeans First’ policy. Remember that we do not have a choice. We were borned here and so are our kids and so they must have first priority. PRs as we can see in many instances, do not regard themselves as Locals. Many use SG as a stepping stone to go elsewhere and they can give up their PR status anytime the situation looks less favorable to them. And they have the option to enrol into international schools - an option not available to locals. Same with the foreigners. Many opt for our local schools due to the cost concern.

This registration will even out the playing field. No more alumni/old boy/old gal priority, no issues of property prices escalating further around popular schools, no more exploiting poor parents precious time doing PV. The only downside I can think of, would be couples who have trouble conceiving. For those, it’s off-topic here but govt can do more to fund fertility treatment since these are people who are willing to have children but are unable to. Unfortunately, for these individuals, I have to say that there has to be a cut-off age to qualify since it is medically proven that egg quality deteriorates as the women age.

I think this system will incentivize more to carry on having more than 1 child, more so than the measly $4k baby bonus that we get now, or the dollar for dollar matching in CDA (since many poor families aren’t able to come out with the monies to put into the CDA a/c to begin with).

[Jojobar]

I like the proposal to be honest,we do have a choice. Many of my friends and cousins are now living oversea and do not want to come back. As for me, I am a born Singaporean and by choice. I stay in Singapore becos I love this country and is proud of being a Singaporean. However, I felt very unhappy lately as I feel that being a Singaporean is at a disadvantage in my own country. For example, the pr and foreigner can choose to go international school if they want but we Singaporean is not allow. But yet, Singaporean is not given priority in school registration.


I agree with meritocracy, hence I will have nothing to say if the pr did well and get into the top secondary school. But at 7 years old. What meritocracy ....?... Can't my own nation give my son higher priority in school registration. There is nothing wrong for any country to treat their citizen with priority. In fact, I don't think there is any country like Singapore who treat their pr as equal footing as their citizen. Hence my suggestion to govt is if the pr do not like it, they can exercise their option to go back to their home country.

[jenao]

Can’t help but wonder what is the real intention of MOE when they say they are reviewing the P1 registration. Not only it contradicts what Mr Heng says about all schools are also good but now with everyone so hype up over citizen vs non-citizen, they have to be very careful not to make any wrong move! If they cut or restrict any of the existing phases to make make more room for the rest without restricting PR/foreigners in the earlier phases, then they have a lot of explaining to do and should be prepared for any backlash.


It makes a lot of sense to give priority to citizen especially where resources are limited, in this case popular school with limited availability but somehow when it comes to P1 registration it does not really apply to the phases unless balloting. And foreigners/PR with more talent/resources etc can gain entry into earlier phases. Jim Rogers is able to enrol his kids in Nanyang even though it is almost impossible for Sporean kids to enrol in. Reasonably Sporeans are upset.

[janet88]

jenao:

If they cut or restrict any of the existing phases to make make more room for the rest without restricting PR/foreigners in the earlier phases, then they have a lot of explaining to do and should be prepared for any backlash.


It makes a lot of sense to give priority to citizen especially where resources are limited, in this case popular school with limited availability but somehow when it comes to P1 registration it does not really apply to the phases unless balloting. And foreigners/PR with more talent/resources etc can gain entry into earlier phases eg Jim Rogers who is able to enrol his kids in Nanyang even though it is almost impossible for Sporean kids to enrol in. Reasonably Sporeans are upset.

I sure hope MOE makes careful considerations regarding P1 registration...consequences will be disastrous if it is not to citizens' advantage. Singapore should not be seen as a country who values the rich over ordinary folk like us. Although foreign investors are welcome, it should be SINGAPOREANS FIRST.

[Jojobar]

Totally agree. Singaporean first intent was mentioned by pm lee in his national day rally in 2011. I would expect the new policy from moe to align with the pm led overall intent of Singaporean first. I have no issue with the current phase 2a and phase 2b policy. I would expect the phase from 1 to 2c to be only applicable to Singaporean child. The rest then can be ballot by the pr follow by the foreigner.

[janet88]

Jojobar:

Totally agree. Singaporean first intent was mentioned by pm lee in his national day rally in 2011. I would expect the new policy from moe to align with the pm led overall intent of Singaporean first. I have no issue with the current phase 2a and phase 2b policy. I would expect the phase from 1 to 2c to be only applicable to Singaporean child. The rest then can be ballot by the pr follow by the foreigner.

The child must be born in Singapore and one of the parents must be a Singaporean at the time of the child's birth. After Phase 2C, open to PR.

[limlim]

3Boys:

limlim:

[quote=\"3Boys\"]

You all actually think this is reasonable??

Sorry, I am not continuing this conversation.

invalid accusation + unjust generalization (red).

sorry, your resignation is hereby rejected.. :evil: :evil: :evil: :evil:

limlim, what is your view on the reasonableness of a multi-tiered citizenship. No bait, just your thoughts please.[/quote]For the child.. as long as it is citizen.. don't care MIS or imported.. boy or girl. Provided that they do not posses dual citizenship. IIRC, kids below 21yo can have dual citizenship.

while we hate free loaders and those leeching the system but no commitment here.. I'm still on the fence whether multi-tier citizenship for adults is reasonable or not,.. so.. no comments yet.. But I tend to favor no differentiation..

But I guess the approval process must be more stringent and maybe need some tweaking.. I guess ICA should consider the application also based on significant \"contribution to society\"..

As for what is \"significant contributions\", like NS etc.. I guess can discuss maybe in another topic/thread..

Also, for those who are married. If both convert to citizen, it shd be easier. If only 1 convert and applicant is woman and not the man.. shd reject unless there is special circumstances on case by case basis..

So.. in essence.. it is the approval process that has to be examined.. mebbe not so much for multi-tier citizenship....

[toddles]

znzyzyzx:

My ex-colleague, denounced his spore PR when it was time for him to do NS (which he said was applied for him by his father and he did not study in spore, so did not enjoy any benefit, so why should he serve NS ?). But few years later, he came to work in spore. And we welcome him and give him a work pass, no question asked.

hmmm... the case i know of is opposite. guy renounced PR-ship when it was time to do NS, thereafter married Singaporean, wanted to come back to live here, was willing to DO NS, but ICA rejected. don't think he even got a work permit.

both very highly educated. now both living abroad.