Outrage over kindergarten's 'tuition' classes

[buds]

autumnbronze:

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

Aiyoh.. :slapshead: SAME! :hi5:
But how come the other day both were like angels? :imanangel:

autumnbronze:

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.

You have just echoed my thoughts.. my very thought since the very beginning.
It any human-reliant industry, it's the people that matter. When you get the rite
people.. and the rite people grow.. they exude positive influence over their peers.
When these good people move up to lead.. the institution in itself will flourish &
auto run with the same good system in place started by themselves. The people
who have been at a micro level like you & I know what it's like on the ground. Oh
hell yeah.. the politics are vicious. Tsk tsk tsk. It's dampening to see how fellow
colleagues do anything to move their way up the ladder and forget why they are
there in the first place... which was... to be there for the children.

autumnbronze:

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:

Gosh, i dunno if it's just me cause i've just caught up on a notti version just by
looking at the ehem... poem.

[buds]

buds:

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:

Chenonceau:

Yes... our bridges are a wee bit far. We did acknowledge that.

Chenonceau:

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.

That's why.. without the \"people\" they are not. :love:

But because all humans are wired differently, you get different quality lor.

I have designed curriculums that benefit teachers and children alike but
believe me when i tell you, even with the best curriculum and resources,
it takes \"thee person\" to deliver with conviction.. with passion.. with
flair.. with honest intentions to ensure that all children get the
education they deserve.

You don't have to show me. I too have worked where my materials are spread
across branches and different countries. I know it can work because with them
it is easier for consistency, but not everyone follows through. There should be
evaluation or appraisal system so that each branch in each country can maintain
that consistency amongst staff to ensure the quality is always there.

Because a school is made up of sooo many people, one or two black sheeps
(maybe more?) :evil: does not make one school a bad school per se.

My girls once asked why i didn't throw what they thought was a rotten apple.
I merely cut the rotten part and ate the rest while they :sick:... I just said, \"It
doesn't mean that the apple is a wee rotten here... we chuck the whole thing.
We salvage the un-rotten ones cos they are still good to eat.\"

Chenonceau:

It is great you are contented. I am happy for you too.

Thank you.. i appreciate that. :love:

Chenonceau:

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. 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.

I believe i speak for majority here that your children are doing extraordinarily well! Not just \"doing well\"... that's too humble.

Well, as i've shared before... change... of any kind, takes time to evolve and yes wow if you think of it from when/since 1960s... wow.. we have gone really far today. That's for everyone to see and share... the change that LKY aspired to achieve. I never committed to saying there is no way.. nothing.. no chance.. that we can do for change.. i humbly said change really does take time. So since time waits for no man, i choose to take things one at a time with what i can.

I work with underprivileged children and privileged ones, special needs and gifted ones... dysfunctional ones and high functioning ones.. and their families... and honestly, one cannot even begin to fathom what these children & their families have to go through in their daily lives to even think of how good schools are. They first need to survive. Being on the ground makes me more down to earth and their needs are far from what many think they require. It's way more complicated than just that. But they receive the help they need from the organizations that CAN help and care to do so with what they can as well. Some are not even in organizations.. but mere volunteers like myself. My children and i have done charities and done home visits and we coach children whom we can help and who wants our help. So, while we await change and rally for change, there's actually many we can do... within our means.

[buds]

BeContented:

buds:

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 like. I like!!! :rahrah:
must show you how much I like mah ... kekeke.

You my idol mah.. :please:
BeContented is a good mantra to live by.
So we are always grounded in our ways of life.
Not to say that we are not ambitious or not bothered to strive for better.
But when we are contented can we then at least be happy. Life's just too short.

[Chenonceau]

buds:

Chenonceau:

[quote=\"buds\"]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:

Chenonceau:

Yes... our bridges are a wee bit far. We did acknowledge that.

Chenonceau:

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.

That's why.. without the \"people\" they are not. :love:

But because all humans are wired differently, you get different quality lor.

I have designed curriculums that benefit teachers and children alike but
believe me when i tell you, even with the best curriculum and resources,
it takes \"thee person\" to deliver with conviction.. with passion.. with
flair.. with honest intentions to ensure that all children get the
education they deserve.

You don't have to show me. I too have worked where my materials are spread
across branches and different countries. I know it can work because with them
it is easier for consistency, but not everyone follows through. There should be
evaluation or appraisal system so that each branch in each country can maintain
that consistency amongst staff to ensure the quality is always there.

Because a school is made up of sooo many people, one or two black sheeps
(maybe more?) :evil: does not make one school a bad school per se.

My girls once asked why i didn't throw what they thought was a rotten apple.
I merely cut the rotten part and ate the rest while they :sick:... I just said, \"It
doesn't mean that the apple is a wee rotten here... we chuck the whole thing.
We salvage the un-rotten ones cos they are still good to eat.\"

Chenonceau:

It is great you are contented. I am happy for you too.

Thank you.. i appreciate that. :love:

Chenonceau:

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. 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.

I believe i speak for majority here that your children are doing extraordinarily well!

Well, as i've shared before... change... of any kind, takes time to evolve and as
you have shared above in 1960s... i think we have gone really far today. I
never committed to saying there is no way.. nothing.. no chance.. that we can
do for change.. i humbly said change really does take time. So since time waits
for no man, i choose to take things one at a time with what i can.

I work with underprivileged children and privileged ones, dysfunctional ones and
high functioning ones.. and their families... and honestly, one cannot even begin to fathom what these children & their families have to go through in their daily lives to even think of how good schools are. They first need to survive. Being on the ground makes me more down to earth and their needs are far from what many think they require. It's way more complicated than just that. But they receive the help they need from the organizations that CAN help and care to do so with what they can as well. Some are not even in organizations.. but mere volunteers like myself. My children and i have done charities and done home visits and we coach children whom we can help and who wants our help. So, while we await change and rally for change, there's actually many we can do... within our means. :D[/quote]I actually feel heartened that you mention the point about materials across countries and schools... yes, that'll help stabilise a single organisation with a single vision. I also agree with you that local variations in usage will happen.

I think you have written a beautiful post and it does bridge the gap nicely between us. I get a sense that you know that there are ways to fill up the glass but think it'll be long and hard... so why not smile and do what we can. I also do understand that there are plenty of small things one can do whilst waiting... and you are being a force of positive energy in doing them.

I have it laid upon my heart to do this one thing. And even if it looks impossible, I still feel it worth a try. I know that as a nobody, this looks so remote... but I have Somebody to help. So it isn't all bad.

There are Marthas and Marys. You're a great Mary. And I am trying hard to be a good Martha because... I dunno why... I just have to (and not least because there are underprivileged children who will benefit).

[buds]

Oppsgal:

Brenda10:

I remembered in 2005 when DD was in K2, the childcare had conducted additional phonics class and we paid around $40 -50 for a term. We also engaged a China Teacher teaching DD HYPI before she enter P1.

Why don't teach own child at home?

If everything also tuition, :moneyflies: .

I would only bring kid to tuition if I really don't know how to teach.

I believe give birth to kids, parents should spent the time with kids. Be it in education or what...try first before outsource.

Not every family is privileged to have a stay home parent to guide the children, regardless the father or the mother. Not every family can afford to sustain on a single income. It is a sweeping statement to say that parents should all spend time with the children to teach them everything they need to know at home. Just because some of us can, it doesn't mean everyone can. Plus i have to say, not all who can stay home can teach well. Some parents who think they know how to teach end up doing more harm by teaching the wrong things. It's ok to outsource if things aren't our forte to begin with. Not everyone knows everything, right? :skeptical: As it is now, everyone can read how so many parents are griping over teachers in primary schools who have to teach Eng, Math & Sci (all three) while they may only be great at one and it is causing their children to have poor foundation in concepts which aren't their forte.

Also not to say that parents who outsource are ones who never bothered to try in the first place. Different strokes for different folks, so i wouldn't judge the decisions of parents.

[LOLMum]

I wonder who is taking the lead now.


Is tuition centre trying to catch up with school or school trying to catch up with tuition centre.

[buds]

Swinging back to thread topic..


There is no cause for outrage in this case. The report has stated that the issue has spiraled to this due to the misinformation indicated in the circular. As many have determined, the term tuition is used for children with weak foundation of concepts and NEED help... and the term enrichment is well... to enrich the already rich and strong in concepts. ie. foundation more or less quite solid already.

Some sharings..

PAP kindergartens are priced for the masses. For the people who do believe in early education and may not be able to afford pricey private centres. For some parents, it can also be the sole reason of proximity due to alternative caregiving reasons since they have to work. Older people cannot walk too far to send children for daily classes or helpers are not encouraged to travel too far with young children in tow. Many different scenarios. It does not mean that being priced for the masses that they lack in quality and quantity of resources. PAP has evolved with the times within the industry and i personally know of some strong hands within the industry who care to be there to make the difference. Because different centres vary in what they offer and the (sufficient) manpower to ensure they CAN deliver what they offered, the quality varies. Every human-reliant industry depends on the individual person's capacity to execute the tasks.

Some centres are equipped with Phonics trained teachers and they ship in materials from overseas to facilitate this with the budget they are given. The head of the centre usually is (or ideally should also be) one who is trained in the same so she has the wisdom to trouble shoot in the event of teachers going on leave or resigning and being able to explain to parents the nature of these sessions offered. As these sessions are to be incorporated within curriculum time in some centres, the kindergarten sessions may be longer and the fees may be higher to justify the extra time taken and also the expertise of the trained teachers within the centre.

In some other centres who may not have these \"enrichment\" programmes within the curriculum, they gradually upgrade their staff to attend external sessions so they can also include these extras into the curriculum. However, because they started out the kindergarten as certain set hours.. it is quite daunting to change the whole timetable to include these extras with extra curriculum time for all three sessions throughout the day. So they offer such extras as add-ons at relatively affordable fees for the neighbourhood children and families.

There may also be centres who totally outsource to a trained person/company to teach the children at all levels maybe because they lack manpower or professionally trained staff to run the programmes.

Next... different centres may prefer to adopt different methodologies. While some centres prefer to teach using the Jolly Phonics way... some others like the Letterland ways for their fun songs and stories... (etc). There are many many different and very interesting methodologies and resources to capture the early interest of our evolving young children who are becoming smarter by the day to stimuli from home care and environment plus intelligent interactions with older family members throughout the hours they are not engaged in school.

The centre in mention (in the report) may have miscommunicated their intentions and yes while extras (enrichment) are offered, there should always be an opt-out option for those who do not need them.

Regular/standard textbook curriculum/lessons are in place in all centres and apart from the regular daily thematic lessons and projects... the rest are really extras. Teachers while now are better paid than before, are still handling big class size.. some with two teachers and some others just go solo. Teaching children especially the young ones isn't just about pumping in the academics. Academics is always but only one of the many many things children learn in their growing years. There are soft skills, values, fine and gross motor to look into while we nurture our future leaders into a whole person.

All the whack from parents who do not fully understand the ground can result in misunderstanding the whys and the how comes of this situation that had caused a supposed outrage. Centres do teach. The teaching quality however... varies. As with all other industries apart from teaching... quality varies btwn people within the same office/company/industry. Hence the disparity about who is and who is not being prepared for P1 education. So, in my opinion... there is actually a lack of clear information of what goes on behind the scenes (report).

[buds]

LOLMum:

I wonder who is taking the lead now.


Is tuition centre trying to catch up with school or school trying to catch up with tuition centre.

Errr... Everyone is trying to keep up with the times.

Some not knowing what \"times\" they are in.

Not everyone is discerning enough to read between the lines.
Not everyone is discerning enough to filter what is written in
reports, media & cyberspace to know what's \"truly\" best for
their children and hence may get sucked into believing what
they think the \"system\" stands for.

[iRabbit]

buds:

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:
 

Thanks buds. But I must say, that's one dexterous hand you got there. Typing so much with one hand.

Chenonceau:

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.

I've no quarrel with you, Chen. Peace :xedfingers:

Btw, sending my ds for enrichment is not solely motivated by marks alone. The fact that I'm getting my son to learn things that will never, ever be tested in exams tells me that part of my motivation is to expose him to the joy of learning itself.

In P1, he preferred to play the piano in the sch's foyer with his friends, rather than play in the field with his other friends during recess. In P2, he prefers to join his friends in the library to read books, rather than play in the field. In other words, he's more studious than sporty.

So as a parent, I take it upon myself to support him in his area of interest.

buds:

It is a sweeping statement to say that parents should all spend time with the children to teach them everything they need to know at home. Just because some of us can, it doesn't mean everyone can. Plus i have to say, not all who can stay home can teach well. Some parents who think they know how to teach end up doing more harm by teaching the wrong things.

And sometimes, even when one has the time and know-how, the patience part is lacking. I've a friend who's a qualified piano teacher but she sent her dd to be taught by another. She said that familarity breeds contempt; for both parties. She doesn't want every night to be a banshee vs harpy contest of will.

[Chenonceau]

FQW:

I've no quarrel with you, Chen. Peace :xedfingers:

Btw, sending my ds for enrichment is not solely motivated by marks alone. The fact that I'm getting my son to learn things that will never, ever be tested in exams tells me that part of my motivation is to expose him to the joy of learning itself.

In P1, he preferred to play the piano in the sch's foyer with his friends, rather than play in the field with his other friends during recess. In P2, he prefers to join his friends in the library to read books, rather than play in the field. In other words, he's more studious than sporty.

So as a parent, I take it upon myself to support him in his area of interest.

Yes... I understand. I am also enriching DS in English Literature. He is now exploring symbolism in The Great Gatsby with an online high school. This might even jeopardise his PSLE but he is really very keen and is a way for him to let off steam. When he was little, we enriched him at home in Science because he liked and I liked... we didn't expect that all this would anchor him well in P5 and P6.

Mine is studious too but with a bit of prodding, he has found a sport that he enjoys.