Real reason behind Singapore’s obsession with tuition

[janet88]

Hi tuition_czar,

Please go ahead
I voiced my opinion bcos i am so fed up, not to seek credit but hope that other parents can voice out or add on.

Some smart Alec thinks that starting IP and DSA (using sports for eg) helps to reduce stress by taking away O levels. For IP, students go straight to A levels. ST reported there are kids who can't make it using IP & have to transfer out to other colleges 3/4 into the 6 years. They have only PSLE. Precious time was wasted.

For DSA, they use sports or choir to gain entry.
Sec school life is much tougher 1) with more subjects to take and 2) longer school hours...guess what, these kids have to spend more time on DSA activity to get a foot into the school. They have to 3) represent school/country, go overseas to take part In competitions. So, how are these kids going to find time to study?

My son is taking PSLE this year...he is no high flyer. Just average all these years. He had Chinese tuition since P1. After failing Math at P5, I started him on Math. Then he flunked English this year. To avoid getting a heart attack when results are out, I decided to go all the way - tuition for all subjects this year. Hubby is furious as finances are tight but he knows that tuition is necessary. I helped to fund a little by closing my insurance account.

[BeContented]

janet_lee88:

Some smart Alec thinks that starting IP and DSA (using sports for eg) helps to reduce stress by taking away O levels. For IP, students go straight to A levels. ST reported there are kids who can't make it using IP & have to transfer out to other colleges 3/4 into the 6 years. They have only PSLE. Precious time was wasted.

Think I'll gonna get slam for saying this. But I seriously believe that as parents we need to know our child & be realistic. If IP is not suitable, Dun go for it. the child's well-being takes priority. :siam:

[tutormum]

tuition_czar:

janet_lee88:

[quote=\"limlim\"]So what is MOE going to do about it? sit by and do nothing?

1) Our kids need tuition because school teachers are not able to help our kids pass even school exams. No parent wants their kids to fail. It's not the parents' face but kids' self esteem to be termed a failure.

2) With 40+ students in a class, how can teachers possibly help/attend to every child ?

3) School teachers have to teach Math, Science, English and CL. They may not even be trained in particular subject...but have no choice to teach it. How can their knowledge be in-depth?

4) School teachers have their own lives too...they cannot be possibly giving extra lessons everyday after school...furthermore, they still have CCAs and meetings to handle.

5) Compo & oral exams need skilled teachers to coach. Again, no way can a teacher can do that in a class of 40. These 2 components constitute a high % of marks for Paper 1, so again this is why tutors are needed.

This education system is sucking the childhood lives out of our kids, and our hard-earned money.

I would like to seek your permission to repost this on my site, of course I will give you full credits (if you wish, I can use your actual name).[/quote]I think of course he won't mind but you only give credits? Can give royalty also. :rotflmao: :siam:

[sandunes]

BeContented:

Think I'll gonna get slam for saying this. But I seriously believe that as parents we need to know our child & be realistic. If IP is not suitable, the child's well-being takes priority. :siam:

Agree. There are many (education) avenues created. It all depends on whether the society is willing to accept them without feeling that they have \"lose out\" if they do not or cannot take the \"perceived-to-be better\" paths.

[janet88]

Give me copyright. Dont cut and paste...in case it is out of context and I get :spank: :rotflmao:


I do not believe in IP. Study for 6 long years and no guarantee of A level cert...if using the normal route, there is O level. Can you imagine after 6 years doing IP, at the age of 18, nothing except PSLE :faint:

As for DSA, I see a real case of this girl who got into sec using choir. Her school is so much further away from home, longer hours and now have to spend hours rehearsing to go for competitions here as well as overseas. What for?

[sandunes]

Sorry u are offended. I only quote the post which I agreed with; so as to avoid misunderstanding. I guess it backfired.

[jtoh]

IP isn’t for everyone. If the parent and child doesn’t think IP is suitable for them, don’t choose it. That’s why the majority of schools are still offering the O level option, even the newer IP schools. BUT the IP route is suitable for some students. So it is relevant.

[optimistforum]

I agree. Having O-Levels is a better option to IP.


All this talk of O'Levels makes me nostalgic; I sat them 30 years ago - when they were still hard.

On a lighter note, England's educational reforms (across the board) are moving along at a breathtaking pace. With the reinstatement of the Gold Standrd A Levels of old, moving to IGCSE, and then to O'Levels - with these aligned to our cultural way of working - I can see our education back to its best within ten years. This will of course create a demand for more private tuition.

I too will soon be involved in the review of the National Curriculum.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/education/schools/back-to-basics-will-goves-national-curriculum-overhaul-prepare-children-for-the-future-7848765.html

[Melodies]

Hi optimistforum,


Are you currently working in MOE? Just wonder why you will soon be involved in the review of the National Curriculum.

Why you can see our education back to its best within ten years ( I think you are referring to going back to O level route?) If this is the case, why you think this will create a demand for more private tuition? I don't recall we have so many tuition centres during my time and there were not many pupils who attended tuition during my time. Could you clarify more?
TIA!

optimistforum:

I too will soon be involved in the review of the National Curriculum.

[Imami]

jtoh:

IP isn't for everyone. If the parent and child doesn't think IP is suitable for them, don't choose it. That's why the majority of schools are still offering the O level option, even the newer IP schools. BUT the IP route is suitable for some students. So it is relevant.

But how would parents know if IP is/is not suitable for their children?

My child is still very young, so I don't really know about IP although my niece and nephew (a pair of twins) are IP students.