MOE Relooking P1 registration - Too much priority to alumni

[keroppi]

Jav:

It's all just about funding! Just some idea for MOE to consider

It's not just the funding, it's primarily the parents - it's not surprising that such schools have very strong parent support group. A lot of these schools do not need PVs. There's a very strong partnership between the teachers and parents. Many events are run by the parent volunteers. We are ready to step up and help when the schools ask for volunteers for school events, after-exam parties and funfairs. And the camaraderie between the stakeholders, aka parents, is commendable.

[limlim]

beanstalk:

limlim:

[quote=\"keroppi\"]

It's a privilege to know that my children will be imbibing the same Christian values while receiving their education in the every same schools we graduated from.

You already said it's a privilege.. it shd never be an entitlement.

Your privilege is another citizen's unfairness and losses.. and that place could have been given to the poor kids who stays just opposite the school. One place taken by an alumni's kids who lives >2km, one place less for the kid next door.

It works both ways. Religion is a sensitive issue and for those who subscribe to one, it can be very emotional. It is very hard to say if a Christian child should be deprived of a Christian education simply because his/her parents chose to reside outside of 2 km of a school. Singapore is small, 'outside 2 km' could mean 2.5 or 20 km. With expressways, and a car, a kid living outside of 2 km may actually reach home the same time as someone walking home a few blocks away. [/quote]The parents made the choice. What more do you want to say?

You value religious faith in lessons, Other value their sleep/health. Why should you be given priority over the others?

Why should connection be valued over practicality?

And children are not deprive of their religious beliefs.. They can attend church every week or every day if they like. No body stops them. For your own convenience of having the religious teachings in the school instead of separately in the church, you deprive others of practical convenience. Is this fair?

And the expressway example.. the users on cars is jamming up the roads causing much inconvenience to other road users, in the morning and evening.

[JGMum]

Jav:

Regarding why many elite/branded schools are centralized in Bt Timah / Dunearn Rd area, fair enough. The premise of the school is fixed, but the management & the people running the school is not. Then why not move the management to the new school and have them run as branches, some may say brand is important right. It's all just about funding! Just some idea for MOE to consider

IMHO, location does matter. Parents who can afford a place in Bukit Timah / Dunearn Rd area are definitely better off financially and have the resources to \"enrich\" their children through expensive tuition, courses, expensive vacations, etc. They will also be able to donate more generously when the school needs to raise funds for activities and programmes. If we create another branch of the school in a different location (say in the east), even with the same Principal and staff, I am just not sure the outcome will be the same.

[keroppi]

Let’s leave religion out of this. Too sensitive lah. Peace.

[limlim]

keroppi:

limlim:

[quote=\"keroppi\"]

It's a privilege to know that my children will be imbibing the same Christian values while receiving their education in the every same schools we graduated from.

You already said it's a privilege.. it shd never be an entitlement.

Your privilege is another citizen's unfairness and losses.. and that place could have been given to the poor kids who stays just opposite the school. One place taken by an alumni's kids who lives >2km, one place less for the kid next door.

Well, life is never fair. Please hor, don't you try and stand on a higher moral ground with me when you don't even know my situation! I stayed right next door to a very popular Christian school in the East. To get a place in that school, I will have to ballot under 2C which I only stand 1 in 4 chance to get a place. So I have kindly given up my application to let some else apply while I send our kids to our alma mater. For the last 10 years, I drive them to school so distance is not an issue for me or my kids.

FYI, there are not many Christian schools in Singapore. If you are not a Christian parent, you probably wouldn't understand.[/quote]When we debate in this forum, it is understood that arguments are directed at subject matter and not personal.

When I said \"Your privilege\", it is referring to your argument, Not your personal situation, and not attack you personally. Please get this clear.

Oh.. life is never fair..

so.. those who stay far far.. too bad lor.. same principle, why fight for priority for associations then?

[keroppi]

In Singapore, even drive from East to West at most 1/2 hr? Too me, distance is never an issue.


Anyway, those calling for abolishment of priority given to alumni, I do respect your views.

[Fatty Mum]

If I am a former student of a school, I would love for my children to get into my old school. I think any parent would too esp if they are of a certain faith and religion in connection to the school. Me? I am a free thinker.


I managed to get my DD into a school within 1km of our place through 2C. Schools should be within a reasonable distance from one’s home. To commute, for example from east to the west everyday twice a day is really very stressing for the child. Parents can still rent within 1 km of the school in order to get in queue for a place for their preferred school. After getting into the school, they give up the rental after 2 years. Then it is all back to square one.

[limlim]

keroppi:

Let's leave religion out of this. Too sensitive lah. Peace.

Yes.. but you're the one who bring in religion in the first place..

We are all along talking about connections (alumni, grassroots, clans, church etc..) vs practically and distance.. until you mention faith and beliefs etc..

By the way, in the good well meaning values of the religion, isn't it better to spread the love and take in kids who are not associated and let them be exposed to the good values, instead of hogging the places for generations? I believe, all religion, spreads goodwill. Is hogging places in line with the religion's value (Any religion)?

Anyway..

I feel that religion should be left out of this argument for the priority system for a national education program.

[limlim]

keroppi:

In Singapore, even drive from East to West at most 1/2 hr? Too me, distance is never an issue.


Anyway, those calling for abolishment of priority given to alumni, I do respect your views.

We're talking about a national education program. Not every one can afford a car. You choose to drive from east to west, that's your freedom.

But to deprive a kid staying next door to the school a place and force them to travel few kilometers, that, is the issue we're talking about.

[dorisp]

beanstalk:

It works both ways. Religion is a sensitive issue and for those who subscribe to one, it can be very emotional. It is very hard to say if a Christian child should be deprived of a Christian education simply because his/her parents chose to reside outside of 2 km of a school. Singapore is small, 'outside 2 km' could mean 2.5 or 20 km. With expressways, and a car, a kid living outside of 2 km may actually reach home the same time as someone walking home a few blocks away.

I respect that religion is a sensitive issue and agree that it can be very emotional. It is a personal choice. It is personal.

A policy on education for the nation, on the other hand, however sensitive it may be too as it affects many families, could not be taken and regarded the same way. It has to look after the interest of the child and of the general public as a whole.

JMHO.