Real reason behind Singapore’s obsession with tuition

[beanbear]

There are systemic issues that can only be addressed by MOE.


Specialist teachers for each subject. The policy is for teachers to teach up to 3 subjects except MT. This policy is flawed. There are many real cases of teachers who CANNOT teach 2 out of 3 subjects yet they are forced by the system to do so. So many teachers themselves admit Maths is their worst subject, yet they are asked to teach it. Some teachers speak atrociously, cannot spell, don’t know grammar rules yet they are teaching English. Some only had Secondary school science as their only qualification in science but they teach primary school science.

I’ve had to turn to tuition to get Specialized Teaching for each subject.

I wouldn’t say Teachers are not teaching at schools. But they are not adequately equipped or trained to teach in subjects they themselves are academically weak in. You get patchy learning from someone who is not very confident in that subject. I could always tell which is the subject my DS form teacher is probably well-trained or educated in because it’s evident by the way he/she has delivered the subject and how DS can playback what he learnt from that teacher, the way he/she marks the work.

[verykiasu2010]

beanbear:

There are systemic issues that can only be addressed by MOE.


Specialist teachers for each subject. The policy is for teachers to teach up to 3 subjects except MT. This policy is flawed. There are many real cases of teachers who CANNOT teach 2 out of 3 subjects yet they are forced by the system to do so. So many teachers themselves admit Maths is their worst subject, yet they are asked to teach it. Some teachers speak atrociously, cannot spell, don't know grammar rules yet they are teaching English. Some only had Secondary school science as their only qualification in science but they teach primary school science.

I've had to turn to tuition to get Specialized Teaching for each subject.

I wouldn't say Teachers are not teaching at schools. But they are not adequately equipped or trained to teach in subjects they themselves are academically weak in. You get patchy learning from someone who is not very confident in that subject. I could always tell which is the subject my DS form teacher is probably well-trained or educated in because it's evident by the way he/she has delivered the subject and how DS can playback what he learnt from that teacher, the way he/she marks the work.

saying it is forced by the system or policy is total bullshit

don't tell me those schools / principals who manage to get individual teachers for each subject are running afoul of MOE policy ?

bullsh!t!

have enuf friends who are teachers / HOD / principals / master teacher / directors in MOE to say it is never a policy

[Intermezzo]

BeContented:

verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]Hubby and I held out for 5 years before giving son tuition for Math last year. He has CL tuition since P1. This year, we went ALL THE WAY...thank goodness we did bcos I don't have a good feel that school can prepare my son adequately for PSLE.

But Pei Hwa is well known for churning out grads with good PSLE results. That is why the school is popular.

I think you should post this post this same note at the Pri 1 registration thread, so that parents don't go there unnecessarily to register for Pri 1 next year.

Humans are generally full of contradiction :siam:[/quote]hi BeContented ~

when vks2010 says something with a perfectly straight face, one should always become higly suspicious, like this.. :skeptical:

[Intermezzo]

verykiasu2010:

saying it is forced by the system or policy is total bullshit

don't tell me those schools / principals who manage to get individual teachers for each subject are running afoul of MOE policy ?

bullsh!t!

have enuf friends who are teachers / HOD / principals / master teacher / directors in MOE to say it is never a policy

and when vks2010 starts to substitute the i in important keywords with an exclamation mark, we can be pretty sure he means what he says.. :rotflmao:

[janet88]

MOE wants to implement this and that new system…but ultimately PSLE is still very much the same, past year paper and memorizing…and it is getting harder year after year.

What’s with all the fanciful stuff? To impress WHO? Sure we are superb, but who can truly claim the credit when kids do well?

[BeContented]

janet_lee88:

MOE wants to implement this and that new system...but ultimately PSLE is still very much the same, past year paper and memorizing....and it is getting harder year after year.

What's with all the fanciful stuff? To impress WHO? Sure we are superb, but who can truly claim the credit when kids do well?

Why the need to claim credit? :?
If I really have to justify, will tell my children
- be thankful they are born in Singapore
- be thankful that we have govt that provide reasonable study opportunities
- be thankful to the teachers who have taught them (没功劳也有苦劳）
- be thankful they are born healthy & normal
- be thankful that the parents can provide enough for them to go school comfortably & conducive environment & support
- give me credit for willing to stay home to take care of them & chauffeur them around & the daddy to give up car to take MRT from one end to the other so that they can travel in comfort
- give some credit to their tutors for enlightening them when in doubt
- most of all, give themselves credit & a pat on their own shoulder (or back arh??) for willing to adopt the right attitude & study hard !!!

Did I forget anyone else??
Maybe Need to give ksp some credit for all the tips & venue to rant & keep my sanity too

[janet88]

BeContented:

janet_lee88:

To impress WHO? Sure we are superb, but who can truly claim the credit when kids do well?

Why the need to claim credit? :?
If I really have to justify, will tell my children
- be thankful they are born in Singapore
- be thankful that we have govt that provide reasonable study opportunities
- be thankful to the teachers who have taught them (没功劳也有苦劳）
- be thankful they are born healthy & normal
- be thankful that the parents can provide enough for him to go school comfortably & conducive environment & support
- give me credit for willing to stay home to take care of them & chauffeur them around & the daddy to give up car to take MRT from one end to the other so that they can travel in comfort
- give some credit to their tutors for enlightening them when in doubt
- most of all, give themselves credit & a pad on their own shoulder (or back arh??) for willing to adopt the right attitude & study hard !!!

Did I forget anyone else??

No you have not...your thank you speech for the Golden Horse award has included everyone.

[buds]

beanbear:

There are systemic issues that can only be addressed by MOE.


Specialist teachers for each subject. The policy is for teachers to teach up to 3 subjects except MT. This policy is flawed.

This definitely is not substantiated, or else many schools that have separate teachers teaching each subject are blatantly defying policy.. like the two schools my children have/are attended/attending... ... including the schools my nieces & nephews are attending. :skeptical:

The only time i recall one form teacher who teaches all except MT is at P1 level. In some schools, the same form teacher follow up with the same class in P2 and still continue to have the teacher teach EMS. Subsequent years, a different teacher for every subject.

beanbear:

There are many real cases of teachers who CANNOT teach 2 out of 3 subjects yet they are forced by the system to do so. So many teachers themselves admit Maths is their worst subject, yet they are asked to teach it. Some teachers speak atrociously, cannot spell, don't know grammar rules yet they are teaching English. Some only had Secondary school science as their only qualification in science but they teach primary school science.

Many!?! :yikes:

As far as i know, my children's teachers are required to attend courses by MOE and some are area specific to guide teachers with any changes to curriculum and new ways or methods of study so as to effectively in turn guide the students... apart from the training during NIE days.

beanbear:

I've had to turn to tuition to get Specialized Teaching for each subject.

I wouldn't say Teachers are not teaching at schools. But they are not adequately equipped or trained to teach in subjects they themselves are academically weak in. You get patchy learning from someone who is not very confident in that subject. I could always tell which is the subject my DS form teacher is probably well-trained or educated in because it's evident by the way he/she has delivered the subject and how DS can playback what he learnt from that teacher, the way he/she marks the work.

For this kind of teachers that we too have had experience with, we have raised concern with the teachers themselves followed by a word with the Principal who promised to look into it. We work with the teacher hand in hand with all the feedback collated from parents. There are many different kinds of teachers and instead of having to always point to MOE to come solve this and that.. we can help by tackling from ground up via feedback to HODs and Principal who can best look into the issues. Even if one sends a note to MOE, it'll go round robin back to the school again to investigate and follow up with MOE.

We have had many successful partnerships with Principals and teachers from both the schools my girls have attended/is currently still attending.

Subject HODs hold in-house workshops for parents to understand the skills/concepts children will be learning in school and have notified parents that the teachers undergo regular workshops lead by themselves (HODs) and are appraised that lessons are carried out effectively in class. Principal and at times together with HODs; schedule practicum appraisal to observe lessons, in the move to improve. Other times, my girls have come home bearing news that the Principal and another teacher came in unannounced and sat at the back of the class. This means that the teachers are also appraised as and when, not just during scheduled sit-ins which they can better prepare for.

Both schools have informed parents that the children will learn everything they need from the teachers.. in school. Tuition is not necessary or encouraged, unless the parents themselves really see the need to. The schools have advised parents that children should also have time to rest and play. Children are encouraged to come forward in the event of any doubt and to date no teachers have turned down my children's request for extra clarification on concepts they have trouble grasping or on some new methods that need more practice with.

In fact, a few teachers have come forward to inform students (who come by school bus and are the earliest to arrive) to come to them for recap of lessons (should they need it) while waiting for the rest of the students to arrive rather than waste time playing and getting sweaty.

Parents are welcome to write to the specific teachers or even meet up with them to discuss school or lesson issues at a time where it is more convenient. So many avenues to reach them too. Email, pupil diary and even via sms. These days, some of my girls' teachers also turn to whatsapp.

Going back to the topic of the real reason behind our nation's obsession with tuition? Geee... what do i know? My children do not have tuition.

....... yet.



:xedfingers:

PS. A good preschool foundation prior to attending formal primary education is a definite advantage, though not compulsory. My girls are Montessorians. They learnt skills beyond primary education.

[buds]

BeContented:

Why the need to claim credit? :?

If I really have to justify, will tell my children
- be thankful they are born in Singapore
- be thankful that we have govt that provide reasonable study opportunities
- be thankful to the teachers who have taught them (没功劳也有苦劳）
- be thankful they are born healthy & normal
- be thankful that the parents can provide enough for them to go school comfortably & conducive environment & support
- give me credit for willing to stay home to take care of them & chauffeur them around & the daddy to give up car to take MRT from one end to the other so that they can travel in comfort
- give some credit to their tutors for enlightening them when in doubt
- most of all, give themselves credit & a pad on their own shoulder (or back arh??) for willing to adopt the right attitude & study hard !!!

Did I forget anyone else??
Maybe Need to give ksp some credit for all the tips & venue to rant & keep my sanity too

:goodpost:

Psst, just a pat will do.

[BeContented]

buds:

BeContented:

Why the need to claim credit? :?

If I really have to justify, will tell my children
- be thankful they are born in Singapore
- be thankful that we have govt that provide reasonable study opportunities
- be thankful to the teachers who have taught them (没功劳也有苦劳）
- be thankful they are born healthy & normal
- be thankful that the parents can provide enough for them to go school comfortably & conducive environment & support
- give me credit for willing to stay home to take care of them & chauffeur them around & the daddy to give up car to take MRT from one end to the other so that they can travel in comfort
- give some credit to their tutors for enlightening them when in doubt
- most of all, give themselves credit & a pad on their own shoulder (or back arh??) for willing to adopt the right attitude & study hard !!!

Did I forget anyone else??
Maybe Need to give ksp some credit for all the tips & venue to rant & keep my sanity too

:goodpost:

Psst, just a pat will do.

oops :oops: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:
how come your eye so sharp?? :oops: