Opinions of the Primary School Registration System

[jiangnan]

Don’t be anxious about securing P1 spots, education minister tells parents

By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 24 February 2012 1322 hrs

SINGAPORE: Education Minister Heng Swee Keat has called on parents not to be "anxious" about getting their children into primary schools.

He was responding to queries on the ministry’s review of the Primary One registration framework.

The current framework is a tiered system comprising six phases.

Priority is given to children who have siblings in the same school, followed by those whose parents are alumni, volunteers, or who have church or clan affiliations.

The same rules apply to Singaporeans and Permanent Residents. Foreigners apply during the final stage.

The ministry recently indicated that it is "studying various options to improve" the scheme.

Mr Heng declined to go into details, saying more will be announced at a later time.

But he stressed that parents must realise there are more than just one or two good schools in the system.

He said: "What we need to do is make sure that we have many more good schools and that we send this message out loud and clear to all parents.

"The key thing is to understand what the schools are doing, then the parents will be in a better position to choose the school, and importantly, to support their children in their educational journey.

"It’s important to realise that it’s not that one place, but there are many good places that we can go to, and any change that we make must take that into account."

- CNA/ck

[crystalbelle08]

Dear all,


I am referring to this article last week in the straits times.
http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120224-0000134/Dont-be-anxious-about-securing-P1-spots,-education-minister-tells-parents

Do you think he will be announcing some big changes to the system soon?
Since Mr Heng is \"studying various options to improve the scheme\"?

I'm looking forward to some good changes, and hopefully in time for my gal's registration.

[phtthp]

Wan Bao report:-

Parent volunteers doing ridiculous things for Phase 2B registration

http://everythingalsocomplain.com/2012/02/26/parent-volunteers-doing-ridiculous-things-for-phase-2b-registration/


Parents Slam MOE Scheme
=========================
Parents: Scrap Volunteer scheme for P1 registration:-

http://news.insing.com/tabloid/parents-scrap-volunteer-scheme-for-p1-registration/id-70333f00

[crystalbelle08]

Thanks for the link pptthp!!

Seems tat the changes could be abolishing the volunteer scheme.
I sort of agree to that...

[Mdm Koh]

Since there’s no guarantee of a place for the children of PV’s, some parents may resort to volunteering at different schools to increase their chances. Despite this, there is still no guarantee. After the current PV’s have registered their kids, I think the Ministry should remove this scheme. It would be to the benefit of everyone, as it takes away competition which I feel is unnecessary.


I appreciate that some parents may really want to help the schools. But I’ve heard of a case where the PV directing traffic outside a school was inexperienced and caused a traffic jam. They should really get trained personnel to do the job.

[Wesim]

Aiyah, when are they going to announce the change huh?

I have already signed up as a volunteer and the briefing is in two weeks time. My husband and I have saved up our annual leave to volunteer our service.

If they scrap this scheme, then how?

[krazy]

Food for thought:

1) Will there / Is there a conflict of interest when Pri Sch teachers enrol their children in the school they are teaching?

2) Is it feasible to let (all: pri and sec) teachers enjoy the privilege of enrolling their children in any school of their choice?

[tankee]

krazy:

Food for thought:

1) Will there / Is there a conflict of interest when Pri Sch teachers enrol their children in the school they are teaching?

2) Is it feasible to let (all: pri and sec) teachers enjoy the privilege of enrolling their children in any school of their choice?

(1) Not really. As long as the teachers do not teach in the same level which their children are studying.

(2) Then it is just purely unfair advantage. At same school is reasonable for logistic reason. No reason for different school. Moreover, this may result in big swamp of teachers' children from all over to the few more popular schools in Singapore or within an area.

[krazy]

I supposed so. But then again, there will always be rumours, when the child does well, and when the child doesn't.

tankee:

(1) Not really. As long as the teachers do not teach in the same level which their children are studying.

Hahaha.. May not happen too because there are really not that many teachers with Pri 1 going children in that particular year. And I think teachers also have sense not to put their children at the other end of the island simply because the school is reputed.

But it was just a thought. Teachers spend a lot of time teaching and coaching and counselling other people's children, yet when it comes to their own, ... . For now, the only consolation is that they hope their fellow colleagues in the other schools will take care of their children like they would others.

tankee:

(2) Then it is just purely unfair advantage. At same school is reasonable for logistic reason. No reason for different school. Moreover, this may result in big swamp of teachers' children from all over to the few more popular schools in Singapore or within an area.

[crystalbelle08]

I have a frn who teaches in that most popular Hokkien Huay Kuan school for 2 yrs just to get her daughter into the school. Needless to say, her daughter got in this year and now she is planning to leave the school for private teaching which earn more $$$.

According to her, this method is a sure win method, apart from alumni.
Too bad, I don’t have any NIE cert. Dont tink the top schools will accept just anyone to be teachers right? How abt support dept staffs, any idea if by joining say IT or admin dept of the schools i will have a better chance?