MOE Relooking P1 registration - Too much priority to alumni

[jedamum]

Lyddon:

With our world-class transportation system, how much time does it take to travel 2km or 4km? There are primary schools near home above 2km but less than 4km. It takes me 10mins drive and less than 20 mins public bus to get to either school. Within a radius of 5km, Dist ance is really not a big deal.

distance is not a big deal to those who got into their choice of sch that is further away.
distance is a big deal to those who cannot get into their choice of sch that is at their backyard and have to travel further for their second choice sch (until they are sold on the programme/curriculum by their second choice sch, it will remain eye sore to see other kids but their own kids walk to their choice sch).

[janet88]

Phase 2A2 should stay…perhaps remove the Phase 2A1 which allows old boys/girls to pay a one-time fee…this way, there will not any more ‘sleeping members’.

The ‘connection’ for old boys/girls is an important link to the school. There will always be black sheep. Our parents may have registered us kids in schools back then, but not all of us now may put our kids in schools in the opposite end of the island.

[Lyddon]

Imsoobusy:

How about the cost of transport, ESP to those that struggle mthly. Is additional cost and school bus are not cheap these days. Unless gov is giving those lower income families free transport for the kids, or special package.

I did not come from a well off family. My father fetch me to school (abt 3km) on his rusty old ah pek bike. When i got older, I got my own secondhand bike. cycling time to school 25mins. Go figure how much is a budget 2ndhand bike now.

[Lyddon]

jedamum:

distance is a big deal to those who cannot get into their choice of sch that is at their backyard and have to travel further for their second choice sch (until they are sold on the programme/curriculum by their second choice sch, it will remain eye sore to see other kids but their own kids walk to their choice sch).

Houses with schools at backyard must costs a premium eh? I would have eyesores everyday if I made a conscious decision to paid a hefty price $$$ for such a house and not get into my backyard's school.

[vicki]

wondering out loud


Wonder perhaps if the govt build more primary schools near catchment areas which has alot of houses/ flats but insufficient spaces (I can only thk Jurong area offhand now) - would it solve the prob of no school ‘near’ my hse’?

Or maybe it will not solve anythg cos ‘i still can’t get into the ‘popular’ school near my hse’…

[jedamum]

Lyddon:

jedamum:

distance is a big deal to those who cannot get into their choice of sch that is at their backyard and have to travel further for their second choice sch (until they are sold on the programme/curriculum by their second choice sch, it will remain eye sore to see other kids but their own kids walk to their choice sch).

Houses with schools at backyard must costs a premium eh? I would have eyesores everyday if I made a conscious decision to paid a hefty price $$$ for such a house and not get into my backyard's school.

:scratchhead: when i mean school at 'backyard' i meant that the sch is just a stone's throw away from home which means that <500m walk. not necessary homes having backyard.
sorry for the confusion.
schs in HDB estates have balloting too.

[larkspur]

As i read on, i am starting to :? , what is the big difference between 2A1 and 2A2 beside 2A1 need to pay a fee?when i registered my child for P1 last year,cos not sure if i would get the recommendation letter from the clan, i registered my girl under the phrase2A first before i withdraw when i got the letter.At that time, i was deciding between to register at 2A1 and 2A2 but at that time i know i am going to withdraw anyway, i registered at 2A2, no point paying to joining the Alumni and even if i never withdraw, i won't bother to pay the fee to go 2A1 since old boy old girl can registered at 2A2. Basically for me that time during registration, 2A1 and 2A2 no difference loh to me though a lot of people did join the alumni and register at 2A1.


that is y i am kinda confused those who recommend to remove 2A1 but keep 2A2, there is no difference cos previously those who can register at phase 2A1 can auto go to Phase 2A2 to register like what i did that time

[limlim]

laughingcat:

dorisp:

\"Connection\" vs \"distance\".

As stated by the Ministry, connection is more important as it foster bonding between the community and the school.

If you're talking about active members.. ok.. it is valid.

As for sleeping members, I'll throw that argument out of the window.

hence, Alumni priority shd be subjected to strict evaluation/approval process..

And NOT blanket priority for sleeping members to benefit.

[limlim]

laughingcat:

During my schooling days, i have always travelled at most an hour to school and back as well. Worse if it is afternoon session and that means i will have to reach home by 7.30pm and quickly finished my dinner and R&R and then start doing my homework by 8.30pm. It made me a more resilient child because i learn to manage my time. Never see travelling distance as a shortcoming, rather it forces you to manage your own time. IMO, proximity to school only gives an excuse to take things for granted. Why during our time, we can do it and why not now?

Going by this line of argument,, there are parents who took leave to do PV to get their kids into the schools. There are parents who throw in everything they have to secure a nearby place for their kid's school. This, teaches them sacrifice for the greater good.

If some can do it, so can others.

\"it forces you to plan for your kid's future\". \"alumni to school only gives an excuse to take things for granted\".

Makes sense?

Ok, I don't subscribe to these arguments so it is just a remark in response to your reasonings and is not my stand.

================

The Main point is, you are okay with it doesn't mean other kids are ok with it.

To you, a longer distance may not be a big issue, but, definitely, a shorter distance is an ADVANTAGE.. isn't it? How many productive hours have been wasted on the bus/car throughout your schooling days? You may be ok with those wasted hours.. But other kids may not feel the same.

Personally, I Hate wasting time on traveling. Reading (to be more productive) on buses is definitely not good for the eyes of the young child either..

So, a short traveling distance is definitely in the best interest of the child, in terms of rest times, productivity, whatever..

I'm amazed how you can twist \"long distance\" to became \"advantage as it trains one to be resilient\"...... might as well say put Singaporeans in greater debt when owning HDB flats so that they feel \"hungry\" and will work harder to achieve higher income and not be debt free and complacent.. and then they can be competitive in the global market..

ok.. I'm just sprouting rubbish for those comment in blue..

[limlim]

laughingcat:

Lyddon:

With our world-class transportation system, how much time does it take to travel 2km or 4km? There are primary schools near home above 2km but less than 4km. It takes me 10mins drive and less than 20 mins public bus to get to either school. Within a radius of 5km, Dist ance is really not a big deal.

Good point. Our transportation system has greatly improved from 1998 to todate. MRT/LRT could be right at your doorstep and increased frequency and network of buses. With such convenience and moving forward with today good transportation, the distance priority should be reviewed in terms of 0-2km and 2-5km.

oh really?

My kids school is within 1km and time taken to go to the school takes approx 15~20mins factoring in walking, waiting time and bus traveling time. And the traffic is not that heavy for that stretch of road..

So.. what is the other advantage for nearby schools if waiting time for buses is assumed to be same (which may not be valid as nearby school might provide more than 1 parallel bus service for that stretch of road)..

Well.. Walking is AN OPTION. not so for the far far away......