MOE Relooking P1 registration - Too much priority to alumni

[Lizzie]

limlim:

Lyddon:

Here's a good example of someone buying a property near a desired \"popular\" school to gain \"higher\" chance of enroling his child in.

For simplicity of illustration, imagine:

1) The school in question is the No.1 Top performing school in singapore. (top PSLE, Top GEP, top in everything)
2) there are only 100 properties within the 1km radius of the school, and,
3) there are 100 Pri.1 vacancies in that school, and
4) Priority based solely on distance only.

If priority is based solely on distance, and nothing else... the above is likely to happen ... to a lesser extremem, of course.

You arrive at your own conclusion based on the above.

For the purpose of discussion, let's assume there is 100 vacancies every year.

I would safety conclude that there will be significant number of variances available to others after all those who wants to enroll in P1 in the vicinity have done so..

Why, bcoz NOT all the 100 families have kids going to P1 every year!

if all these families \"stop at 2\" (assume), either they take up 20% of vacancies every year, and exhaust all the demand within 10 years (leaving 80% to others every year for 10yrs, 100% thereafter).. or, they take up 40% of vacancies every year, and exhaust all the demand within 5 years (leaving 60% to others every year for 5yrs, 100% thereafter).. OR they take up 80% of vacancies every year, and exhaust all the demand within 2 years (leaving >=20% to others every year for 3yrs, 100% thereafter).. Is there a cause for concern?? really??????????

Consider the above scenario again for Alumni. The blanket is now over the whole of Singapore.. I could safety assume that the P2A vacancies would highly possible be fully taken up leaving ~0% for others, even those staying at the door step, for each and every year!

Lyddon:

For simplicity of illustration, imagine:

All school are the same..

Lyddon:

You arrive at your own conclusion based on the above.

Distance over connections.. anytime.

Brilliant deduction limlim and cannot be better said, the blanket rule of phase 2A \"leaving ~0% for others, even those staying at the door step\"

[IDad]

LOLMum:

IDad:

[quote=\"absolut_vodka\"]But yes, I agree that PV and grassroots scheme should be the first to go because there are too many grey areas in this scheme. And definitely citizens should have 1st priority to register for school before PRs and foreigners.

Any reason why `clan' should be retained :evil: I thot there are also grey areas in clan??

because they are the ones who started the schools in the very first place and are still actively involved in the raising of funds for the schools.

i would say there is more grey areas in church members cos to join skkh, non members need at least 2 members to get them in (no easy feat) and be actively involved in clan activities for a few years and at the end, it is up to the board to decide who to give the letter to (so no guarantee).

i find it easier for people to become chrisitian and church members in order to get the letter. btw, i am a methodist too. for catholics, i am unsure of the ease in getting the letter.[/quote]Being a methodist, you're probably aware the early days methodist's missionaries founded schools like Fairfield, Anglo-Chinese, MGS etc. Like wise for the presbyterian schools which were likely started by Preachers of the same denomination. And whenever there is a need for funds or otherwise, the whole presbyterian denomination are called to help in funds raising.....which is exactly why Pei Hwa PPS in recent years has to open the priority to all presbyterians.(Previously, only church members of Glory Presbyterians has priority).

Thus in my opinion, church affiliation is definitely not grey as their contribution (funds or otherwise) is highly significant and visible as these government-aided schools tap on church members for support even till today.

[dorisp]

absolut_vodka:

Actually, from my understanding, the alumni staying next door to the school does get priority over the one in pulau ubin if balloting is required in that phase though we have not reached the point where spaces are filled up to that extent. So distance does come into play even for alumni.

dorisp:

[quote=\"Lyddon\"]Since we are on the topic of distance....Why only 0-2km? I propose 0-5km, since travel time across 5km is still reasonable. It wld not be right that the child at 2-5km and takes 30mins to travel is grouped / prioritize together with the one at pulau ubin

You are exactly rigth on the spot and head on with the problem we face now.

Under the current system, an alumni staying at Pulau Ubin is not even \"grouped\" together with the one staying next block. Under the current system, the alumni from Pulau Ubin has priority over the one staying next block. So along the same reasoning, Pulau Ubin and next block being in the same \"group\" is bad enough not to mention having priority over it.

This could well probably be the current situation and could get worst if left unchecked, isn't it?

[/quote]Yes within the alumni group 2A, distance priority do set in when there is a need to ballot. But if you are not an alumni but live next door, you would still have to stand behind the alumni that stays Pulau Ubin. Its like, your D-- is still more superior than my A++..... :roll:

[CactusInDesert]

Lizzie:

Brilliant deduction limlim and cannot be better said, the blanket rule of phase 2A \"leaving ~0% for others, even those staying at the door step\"

Leaving 0% after phase 2A?? Has it occur in any school before or even near to occurrence? Although I tend to agree that one shld not stay too far for those under 2A, think it is too exaggerating in above scenario. The qn now is definition of \"far\" and when the policy will be implemented.

[LOLMum]

yes, i know and agree totally with what you said.


my main concern is how easily it is for people to become christians and get the letter from church to qualify for phase 2b. this is the grey area i am thinking of. we cant tell how many are using this as a stepping stone (phase 2b) or are really sincere.

i read the thread on church/clan membership and there are many people asking how to become church and clan members. we definitely welcome them to join the church/clan but for clan at least there is strict rules on the no. and how the letter of recommendation (for phase 2b) is given out while the church has none.

i think this is abuse of religion.

:offtopic:

[hquek]

Put it this way, this will be between them and the One above.


But I recall that my friend had to be an active member in the Methodist church before they can ask for that letter. There probably are rules as to who can get it, just we don’t know only.

[dorisp]

Some earlier discussions shared how some schools were founded by church and clan members and without them, the school might not be what it is now.


I am impresed with the many contributions made by the alumni but the founders could be the group that had put in money and effort to make it all possible in the first place.

Now church and clan falls under 2B, behind 2A.

Any views? :scratchhead:

[Nebbermind]

dorisp:

Now church and clan falls under 2B, behind 2A.

Any views? :scratchhead:

Fair!

[Nebbermind]

hquek:

Put it this way, this will be between them and the One above.


But I recall that my friend had to be an active member in the Methodist church before they can ask for that letter. There probably are rules as to who can get it, just we don't know only.

what is active member? Like serving /volunteer in church works?

[LOLMum]

yes it is fair because we must look at all the schools in Singapore as 1 group.