Outrage over kindergarten's 'tuition' classes

[Champion]

SAHM_TAN:

Not all kindy teach phonics. If you think phonics is not important, it's ok not to take. I did not learn phonics when I was 6 yos and I was able to decode on my own

:goodpost: I recalled last year when DD2 was in K2, they have phonics lesson as part of the curriculum (she was with PCF kindergarten ). I also received consent form for her to sign up for additional phonics class once a week in the evening in the school premise but I opt that out...

At that point, I was thinking why do you need to have extra phonic class when it is already part of the curriculum? To reinforce the teaching in class or to give \"extra\" practises?

Then after that I received letter for \"P1 preparation class\" (English/Maths/Chinese) on 3 separate evenings! :scared: I was then scatching :? my head - What on earth is the school doing??

[iRabbit]

SAHM_TAN:

Hmmmm I don't feel like a criminal when I sent my kids for enrichment. It's a choice. If I'm very capable I will teach them. But I'm not, so I outsource.

Yes it is a personal choice whether we send our kids for P1 preparation classes or not. Being told by kindergarten it's compulsory isn't a choice.

What I can't appreciate is when other parents - with different mindset - start to impose their views on us (those who send our kids for such classes) plus passing a generous dose of snide remarks along the way.

Just because one is able to teach well doesn't imply that all parents have the same capability. Just because one's child finds it a chore to attend tuition doesn't mean that all kids hate tuition. Everybody's situation is different.

Even if you don't believe in it (the virtue of early preparation), don't disparage others just because we do.

[tutormum]

FQW:

SAHM_TAN:

Hmmmm I don't feel like a criminal when I sent my kids for enrichment. It's a choice. If I'm very capable I will teach them. But I'm not, so I outsource.

Yes it is a personal choice whether we send our kids for P1 preparation classes or not. Being told by kindergarten it's compulsory isn't a choice.

What I can't appreciate is when other parents - with different mindset - start to impose their views on us (those who send our kids for such classes) plus passing a generous dose of snide remarks along the way.

Just because one is able to teach well doesn't imply that all parents have the same capability. Just because one's child finds it a chore to attend tuition doesn't mean that all kids hate tuition. Everybody's situation is different.

Even if you don't believe in it (the virtue of early preparation), don't disparage others just because we do.

Since Education Minister is debating on improving sch system, why not start at Kindy level? In the first place, Kindy is not compulsory but parents now realise that if their kids don't attend Kindy, they will definitely be disadvantaged. There are still parents who can't afford the high kindy fee (compare kindy fee to primary sch fee - why the disparity?). Why is kindy not govt funded and made compulsory for all? :? I know of many parents putting off education for their kids due to financial constraints and these kids are highly likely to fall behind in primary schools and make up the bottom 10% of their cohort in years to come. :mad: :rant: How many of us tighten our belts to send our kids through kindy? I felt a wave of relief when DS3 entered P1 cos I could finally have some extra cash for other needs. The playground is not even at the very beginning. Of course there are gifted kids who come from the lower income group and made it to Uni despite all odds. There are also kids who have done it without any tuition. Where is the level playing field? :rant: In the end, it's still depend on whether our kids are lucky enough to get committed teachers who go out of their way to help their students. However, how many Mrs Goh there? :frustrated: So, maybe all parents should start engaging tutors as soon as their kids learn to talk. I know of a centre that provide 'enrichment' classes for such kids and the fee is not cheap. :sad:

[iRabbit]

tutormum:

I know of many parents putting off education for their kids due to financial constraints and these kids are highly likely to fall behind in primary schools and make up the bottom 10% of their cohort in years to come. :mad: :rant: How many of us tighten our belts to send our kids through kindy? I felt a wave of relief when DS3 entered P1 cos I could finally have some extra cash for other needs. The playground is not even at the very beginning.

I understand where you're coming from. I also know of kids from broken families. Not saying that they will not do well later in life, but clearly the odds are stacked against them from the beginning.

Look, I do my small bit for social welfare. But I'm just your average Joe. I do not have the solution for all these issues about fairness and 'even playing fields'.

tutormum:

So, maybe all parents should start engaging tutors as soon as their kids learn to talk. I know of a centre that provide 'enrichment' classes for such kids and the fee is not cheap. :sad:

Again, I thought this thread is about P1 preparation classes. I keep seeing the tendency to extrapoliate it backwards to enrichment classes for toddlers or earlier. No, I don't know the merits of such courses but fortunately I didn't think it was necessary to send my kid for such lessons. I felt that I'm more than capable of engaging him intellectually at that age.

Still, just because I didn't, I won't go to the extent to mock someone else who does. Every parent does what they think is best for their child. Why should we begrudge them for doing so? At the risk of sounding like a broken record, this is my grouse about this thread.

[iFirefly]

FQW:

SAHM_TAN:

Hmmmm I don't feel like a criminal when I sent my kids for enrichment. It's a choice. If I'm very capable I will teach them. But I'm not, so I outsource.

Yes it is a personal choice whether we send our kids for P1 preparation classes or not. Being told by kindergarten it's compulsory isn't a choice.

What I can't appreciate is when other parents - with different mindset - start to impose their views on us (those who send our kids for such classes) plus passing a generous dose of snide remarks along the way.

Just because one is able to teach well doesn't imply that all parents have the same capability. Just because one's child finds it a chore to attend tuition doesn't mean that all kids hate tuition. Everybody's situation is different.

Even if you don't believe in it (the virtue of early preparation), don't disparage others just because we do.

:goodpost: Hi FQW, i agree with you whole-heartedly!!!

If you have been following other ''rather similar'' threads (which i believe you have), you would have noticed, by now, that it has always been the very same ''righteous'' & ''noble'' few, who are ever cynical, critical and anti-everything about the s'pore's education system (GEP, SAP, PSLE, IP etc.. you name it, they ''anti-'' it)! And many of them do write extremely well too, which explains why they could coach their kids themselves, and hence do not understand why other parents could not do so!

If you think the education system in S'pore is sooo bad, then send your kids to other countries to study, do not let your precious kids ''suffer'' in S'pore.. But if you think you do not have a choice, then just embrace the system and make the best out of it for your kids!

Raised and studied in S'pore, I turned out fine (though not the best), and i believe my 2 boys will turn out fine too (though not the best).. in S'pore!

[verykiasu2010]

firefly38:

If you think the education system in S'pore is sooo bad, then send your kids to other countries to study, do not let your precious kids 'suffer' in S'pore.. But if you think you do not have a choice, then just embrace the system and make the best out of it for your kids!

:goodpost:

[autumnbronze]

verykiasu2010:

firefly38:

If you think the education system in S'pore is sooo bad, then send your kids to other countries to study, do not let your precious kids 'suffer' in S'pore.. But if you think you do not have a choice, then just embrace the system and make the best out of it for your kids!

:goodpost:

:goodpost: firefly38, I like :hugs:

The Education system is just but one instance.

There will be many instances in life where even if it is not to our favor or
does not meet our expectations, we can make the best of it.

:offtopic: I don't really have a positive impression of how the civil service, not only MOE, is run here, but I have certainly learnt how to make the best of the situation.

[SAHM_TAN]

There will always be opposing viewpoints. Just agree to disagree. Plus, there’s always something to learn from the various viewpoints.

[concern2]

firefly38:

If you have been following other ''rather similar'' threads (which i believe you have), you would have noticed, by now, that it has always been the very same ''righteous'' & ''noble'' few, who are ever cynical, critical and anti-everything about the s'pore's education system (GEP, SAP, PSLE, IP etc.. you name it, they ''anti-'' it)! And many of them do write extremely well too, which explains why they could coach their kids themselves, and hence do not understand why other parents could not do so!

If you think the education system in S'pore is sooo bad, then send your kids to other countries to study, do not let your precious kids ''suffer'' in S'pore.. But if you think you do not have a choice, then just embrace the system and make the best out of it for your kids!

Raised and studied in S'pore, I turned out fine (though not the best), and i believe my 2 boys will turn out fine too (though not the best).. in S'pore!

Hi firefly38, I am happy for you that things have worked out fine for you and your kids. I believe many of the parents who are so 'anti' in your eyes, and able to write so well, are trying to speak out for those who are unable to do so, usually the much less educated and not so well off parents, and they have feel a strong sense of injustice towards those who are not just at a disadvantage, but possibly penalized by the system.

Perhaps it is a question of accepting status quo and/attempting to take a step forward to improve things so that OUR SOCIETY IMPROVES as a whole, leaving NO ONE BEHIND.

I appreciate the sharing that helps us see things from different perspective, whether they are the same as our personal beliefs is another matter. Sharing makes us think beyond our own set of values and consider, at least, for some moments, whether someone else could be right.

Of course, there are times when what is shared could make us feel even less able, if not pressurized, that there is nothing we can do but to trot on. It is positive thinking that is making us sit up to consider if what we are doing is right - sending our own kids for tuition. And if the answer is yes, because that is the only or best thing to do, then, it is good. However, using the same positive outlook towards those who are 'anti', how about there being HOPE that there are people who do not have to be 'in the game', yet, able to use their abilities - WORDS - at this point in time - to try to change things for the better, for everyone (if possible)?

[CKmum]

Majority of parents do outsource as we may nt hv d patience to coach our kids. Some parents cry foul over insufficient materials n resources for neighborhood sch so children do nt hv a level playing field . But do we hv children of all same calibre? If all so call neighborhood sch uses d same materials as branded sch, I guess more kids will end up in IMH. JMHO.