Outrage over kindergarten's 'tuition' classes
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autumnbronze:
AB, I am glad you further clarified. I care very much about what you think, and I must admit I was initially hurt by your shorter post. On most issues affecting this country, I don't really have an opinion. In those instances, I too just try and make the best of it. Change what we can change. Accept what we cannot. May we have the wisdom to know the difference.
: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.
It is entirely possible that I am unwise in choosing this line of protest. -
Dear Chen,
:hugs: to ya ....
Most of the time, my 9 mth old is in my arms while I seek some surf time. It can be a mean feat trying to control a struggling baby while typing. Train of thought can also get askewed
I wrote the later statement on hindsight. I came back to edit after I realized that I needed to qualify my statement.
Now you know why I don't really post much anymore, too much of a hassle lah 
Chen,
I have been there and done that while in the education service, on a micro level. My observations and reflections pertaining to my HOD's inefficacy in
running the department and the demoralized state of the dept staff to the Principal went unheeded even though I had 'evidence' in the form of a
veteran teacher (like teaching for over 20 years in the same school) to back me up. So I left for another school where it was so much better there. My
'work' was recognized and I was given opportunities to lead etc ....
This may seem like a myopic viewpoint to you and/or others, but I feel
really it's the group (staff) dynamics in the school that really play a
fundamental part.
Policies can change, the education system can be revamped. But if the group dynamics do not carry them out cohesively and accurately, then
everything will fall apart. That, to me, is one of the reasons why there are
disparities among schools.
Politics .... It happens in all work places, no?
But many feel it's child's play (in the teaching profession) compared to the
corporate world. But believe me, it can get pretty vicious.
You need a good leader to lead. Or else chaos and inconsistency will reign.
I am stating the obvious here. This will happen regardless whether it's in the corporate world or in an educational institution.
But then again, I have left the service, and things may be different now,
hence my post may be taken with a pinch of salt .... (errrr, as in permission granted)
Sorlli, I am :offtopic: :oops:
ps: erhem, erhem, if I may just MIS-quote Yeats' Poem \"The Second Coming\"
Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the depts/school ......
Okie, just trying to be cheeky here :siam: -
concern2:
I agree with you that many parents who are in the anti-camp are doing so because of altruism. They've been there, done that. As far as I can tell, their children are thriving within the system. Why else would they spend so much time and effort to participate in this topic.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.
concern2:
I feel that even if one's intention is altruistic, the delivery of the message is equally important. Don't go around accusing others - parents who prepare their children in advance - as demons who single-handedly caused the current state of education locally.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)?
Nature has hardwired us to try our best for our children. While I believe that many in both camps do their part to help the under-privileged, is one group expected to intentionally do less for their kids so as to even out the odds for the have-nots?
Also, to have a proper discussion, toning down on the mockery is very much appreciated.
Peace and out. :xedfingers: -
firefly38:
:goodpost: Hi FQW, i agree with you whole-heartedly!!!FQW:
[quote=\"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.
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![/quote]*gasp!*
It has been too long since I've come upon good postings of late.
There's been too many broken record threads repeating
issues already discussed and mocked to death within
the forum tt it has become too depressing
and too exhausting to read.
So like my sista autumn, with baby in arms now snuggled for his nap,
on only my iPhone and one hand I just had to drop a quick note...
You guys... (all three of you) :grphug: GREAT POSTS! :celebrate:
PS. Btw, when it comes to this forum in particular the agree to disagree
part is a load of bull honestly, cos there are too many strong, negative,
opposing views as compared to the positively good ones. So the honest
realistic views are put down.. crushed like roaches. (I know cause many
of my posts just vanished/got embargoed when i'm reali the good guy..
balanced and neutral cos i always believe there are two sides to every
coin). :imanangel:
I also believe there are as many positive, contented people who hv each chosen
the ways of embracing the system n making good of what we already have and
we work out the rest of the kinks the best we can. No money nor high standards
or connections!... to pack off to migrate, so we make do with what Singapore can
offer within our means and be happy. We see the glass half full and not half empty. :celebrate:
\"God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change;
the courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference...\"
Ā -
FQW:
It is because the Minister has accused parents of singlehandedly being responsible for the tuition phenomenon that we are reacting. We aren't mocking parents who do what they have to do to help their kids survive in the system. I don't particularly like having to tutor my kids. They have no tuition but that is only because I can teach.
I feel that even if one's intention is altruistic, the delivery of the message is equally important. Don't go around accusing others - parents who prepare their children in advance - as demons who single-handedly caused the current state of education locally.
We mock the system itself, and in so doing, we hope to tell the Minister that parents are only half at fault. Unless MOE stops testing beyond at every level, even P1, then parents like me won't have to teach... and you won't feel that tuition is necessary.
Apologies if you felt targeted. -
autumnbronze:
This is funny!! I like!!
Things fall apart, the centre cannot hold
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the depts/school ......
Okie, just trying to be cheeky here :siam: -
buds:
So the honest realistic views are put down.. crushed like roaches. (I know cause many of my posts just vanished/got embargoed when i'm reali the good guy.. balanced and neutral cos i always believe there are two sides to every coin). :iamanangel:
Someone embargoed your posts? Why? Who? They looked perfectly legit to me.buds:
Why make do with half a glass if we can fill it up?Just cause there are positive, contented ppl who hv each chosen
the ways of embracing the system n making good of what we already
have and work out the rest of the kinks. No money nor high standards
to pack off to migrate, so we make do with what Singapore can offer
within our means n be happy. We see the glass half full and not half
empty. :celebrate: -
Because at present, i suppose i am just contented. :please:
Because i'm contented, i'm happy with what i have or can have.
(And so i guess i bitch less about a lotta stuff..)
While the almost-seemingly-Utopian task of revamping or change takes place, i make do with what i can and like the positive thinking others here, make the best of it... how i can.
PS. I didn't dare step into your good schools thread.. :nailbite: As you have already iterated, our bridges are a wee bit far apart.
Just a short note to share that i believe all schools are good schools... built to provide/offer education to our children with spanking facilities if compared to other less-privileged countries.. BUT it is the people facilitating the schools that makes the difference.
Every single one of them. :love: -
buds:
Yes... our bridges are a wee bit far. We did acknowledge that.Because at present, i suppose i am just contented. :please:
Because i'm contented, i'm happy with what i have or can have.
(And so i guess i bitch less about a lotta stuff..)
While the almost-seemingly-Utopian task of revamping or change takes place, i make do with what i can and like the positive thinking others here, make the best of it... how i can.
PS. I didn't dare step into your good schools thread.. :nailbite: As you have already iterated, our bridges are a wee bit far apart.
Just a short note to share that i believe all schools are good schools... built to provide/offer education to our children with spanking facilities if compared to other less-privileged countries.. BUT it is the people facilitating the schools that makes the difference.
Every single one of them. :love:
I dunno how to show you that there are ways and means, drawn from Organizational Psychology to build consistency across organizations EVEN IF the people are different. Buildings and facilities are not schools.
It is great you are contented. I am happy for you too.
I also make the best of what I can at the present. Both my kids are doing well. But I would like to believe that we have honest politicians (if perhaps deluded) who do want to build for the future... and so it isn't quite the Utopia if we can but get through to them.
Imagine if LKY and GKS had said in the 1960s... let's make do with what we have. This is a jungle and our people aren't educated, there's nothing we can do about it. Our glass is half empty but it's also half full. So, let's make do. -
buds:
I like. I like!!! :rahrah:Because at present, i suppose i am just contented. :please:
Because i'm contented, i'm happy with what i have or can have.
(And so i guess i bitch less about a lotta stuff..)
While the almost-seemingly-Utopian task of revamping or change takes place, i make do with what i can and like the positive thinking others here, make the best of it... how i can.
PS. I didn't dare step into your good schools thread.. :nailbite: As you have already iterated, our bridges are a wee bit far apart.
Just a short note to share that i believe all schools are good schools... built to provide/offer education to our children with spanking facilities if compared to other less-privileged countries.. BUT it is the people facilitating the schools that makes the difference.
Every single one of them. :love:
must show you how much I like mah ... kekeke.
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