With 5 more new IP schs next yr, how will COP of IP schs be?
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IP or O levels? Choice hinges on learning style: Sim Ann
Published on ST Apr 10, 2012
By Leonard Lim
STUDENTS - and their parents - need to figure out which learning style suits them best, Senior Parliamentary Secretary (Education) Sim Ann said.
'Is it one that is more self-directed or independent? Or would it be one that is more structured?'
And making the right choice will go a 'long way' towards determining their success in either the more independent Integrated Programme (IP) or the more structured O-level track, she said.
Ms Sim made the point in her reply to Mr Liang Eng Hwa (Holland-Bukit Timah GRC) who had asked if there were plans to expand the IP.
There has been recent debate on whether the IP, aimed at the top 10 per cent of students, has expanded too quickly, turning from a niche scheme to almost a default one.
Both the O levels and IP are 'equally valid', Ms Sim said.
But, she added: 'What's important is for students as well as their parents to recognise which style of learning suits the individual student best.'
The IP started in 2004 in eight schools, but anxious parents keen for their children not to lose out to others have been clamouring for more IP spots. More schools responded by offering the IP.
The number of such schools has now risen to 13 and next year, 18 schools will offer the IP. In this 'through train' scheme, students skip the O levels and take the A levels or International Baccalaureate after six years of study.
Still, Ms Sim noted, 'most of our students are on the O-level track. So the O-level track retains great relevance'.
Replying to Mr Zainal Sapari (Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC), she said about 3,400 students have been admitted into the IP annually since 2004. About one-fifth entered at Secondary 3.
For the cohorts of 2004 to 2006, about an average of 6 per cent withdrew before reaching the second year of junior college. Of these students, more than half continued in the same school on the O-level track, or in another school or institution.
The rest withdrew primarily because they were relocating overseas.
Of the 94 per cent who completed the IP and sat for the A levels or its equivalent, almost all qualified for publicly funded universities in Singapore. -
jtoh:
Think this has to be asked to the no of times these questions have been asked in this forum. If not impt, why are there so many people asking again and again?
Why is this information important?Zhuge:
I think MOE need to be more transparent. They should put in the Schools Selection booklet the following:
1. No of places in each school
2. No of IP places in each school
3. No of places given to DSA
4. No of places reserved for affiliated primary school students
etc
MOE assumed that every parent is educated and has access to internet and will bring their children to open houses? Some will just rely on the booklet information only. -
I think this is the first time that MOE revealed this piece of information, despite being asked in Parliament a few times already:-
"For the cohorts of 2004 to 2006, about an average of 6 per cent withdrew before reaching the second year of junior college. Of these students, more than half continued in the same school on the O-level track, or in another school or institution." -
Zhuge:
Oh no, pls don't raise the COP. As it is, this year will see intense competition for dragon year kids (my son is one).The COPS of all the present and new IP schools may just go upwards, due to these reasons:
1. dragon year - bigger cohort
2. recent years' immigrants children - add to bigger cohort
3. more parents being aware of IP and wanting to send their children to IP
So this year will be a tougher year for all PSLE students!
I am aware of IP but prefer my son to take the O level route. -
janet_lee88:
The school donch raise the COP....COP is the T-score of the student who took the last seat/vacany in the school.Oh no, pls don't raise the COP. As it is, this year will see intense competition for dragon year kids (my son is one).
I am aware of IP but prefer my son to take the O level route. -
jtoh:
I also wondering if this info is useful.
Why is this information important?Zhuge:
I think MOE need to be more transparent. They should put in the Schools Selection booklet the following:
1. No of places in each school
2. No of IP places in each school
3. No of places given to DSA
4. No of places reserved for affiliated primary school students
etc
Even if one knows how many places is available, there's no way to find out how many students are vying for the same option, or how many of these students are ahead in term of T-score.
as for (4), from what I know, they go by COP (235/220 are quite common) and not by no. of seats -
Zhuge:
The 2012 cohort about 3000+ more compare to 2011, top 10% will increase 300+, consider new IP school about 600 places, IP COP should remain.I think, naturally, the COP of the present IP schools, starting from NYGH, RI...will drop. This is good as good students are better spread over a no of schools. In view of it being a dragon year, this drop in COP may not be much, perhaps 1 to 2 points.
Anyone has information on the no of students in this dragon year's cohort compared to last year's?
2000 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Primary 1 50,204 43,492 43,914 47,964 42,880 42,489 39,595
Primary 2 49,844 47,348 43,652 44,370 47,994 42,765 42,405
Primary 3 50,019 49,070 47,697 44,502 45,019 48,218 43,022
Primary 4 52,116 49,217 49,368 48,345 44,926 45,200 48,418
Primary 5 48,749 50,010 49,314 49,784 48,307 44,789 45,141
Primary 6 54,773 51,124 50,655 50,083 50,146 48,793 45,325 -
A little off topic.
For schools like SJI for eg…if my son makes the grade to study there, but not intending to take IP. It is still possible right ? There is still the 4 year O level route. This IP/IB thing is confusing, and my son is in P6 this year. So many fanciful stuff. -
From what i read at the MOE website, such schools will have two options, each having its own COP.
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janet_lee88:
SJI and some of the other IP schools offer a dual route - O level as well as IP. If your son qualifies for IP but chooses to take O levels I think that should be possible too.A little off topic.
For schools like SJI for eg...if my son makes the grade to study there, but not intending to take IP. It is still possible right ? There is still the 4 year O level route. This IP/IB thing is confusing, and my son is in P6 this year. So many fanciful stuff.
Just read yesterday that SJI JC is only taking in 80 students next year and that there's no preference given to existing SJI boys.
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