Real reason behind Singapore’s obsession with tuition

[corneyAmber]

Pen88n:

It is a norm now to attend pre-primary classes - preparation class they called it. You get prepared for the topics to be taught in P1. I always wonder why need to prepare - it is no wonder a lot of kids feel bored in sch when lessons are conducted, afterall they already know it or have been taught.

Yes I also see the norm and over preparation is really no benefit for the child. Not only the child has to deal with boredom, the attitude in learning in school may also be affected.

[corneyAmber]

janet_lee88:

My kids never attended enrichment. They only started nursery at the age of 4 bcos pre-nursery is expensive.

We were overseas when my child was very young so we popped in and out of different playgroups at the overseas location and when we returned here when we commuted to and fro....and similarly she skipped pre-nursery and went straight to nursery. We were quite happy with the random arrangement, oblivious to the primary school pressure and thinking of play all the time.

[fightingmom]

schweppes:

For whatever reasons we send our kids to tuition or enrichment centres, sometimes i think it boils down to survival. Be it to survive the system or to survive in society, we just want our kids to keep up with everybody else. True, there will always be some parents who want their kids to stay ahead of everybody else. But who are we to say otherwise?


Coz, we all know, that in Singapore, if we don't keep up, we lag behind and no one wants our kids to be left behind.

We compete for places - not just for P1 places in good primary schools, or Sec schools... but down the line in JCs and high demand courses in the polys and of course, a place in our local Unis. And when i say \"compete\", I don't even mean competing with foreign students (this is NOT meant to be another FT or govt bashing thread). As Uni places are limited, our kids will compete with each other's kids for places.

So, tuition becomes a need and want for many parents because they just want to help their kids to survive the system. Guess, call it what u will, be it kiasu, kiasi (or even kiabor... ), end of day, we just want the best for our children.

Which parent doesn't want their kids to enter the Unis and become a graduate, and be happy with their jobs and lives.

So... until that day comes, in the meantime, parents become desperate (some more desperate than others) to help the child survive the system.

Will having better textbooks, better trained quality teachers, holistic learning, smaller classroom size, et all make a positive difference? Definitely. Will it detract the need for tution? Doubt so.

:goodpost:

[corneyAmber]

limlim:

ksi:

Tuition is a must-have to solve a known problem. Enrichment solves future problems which may or may not exist but people still want to do it.

If tuition is a must have, wouldn't it be better if it is administered by the schools?

The school can engage professionals to coach the \"identified\" kids..

Actually the schools are already conducting remedial and supplementary classes. For remedial classes, they are more liken to tuition, to help the weak. And some schools do engage external parties while some DIY.

Somehow, tuition still stands out as a strong need in the nation even with this arrangement by the schools. :?

[corneyAmber]

Funz:

There will always be some extreme cases. We just need to keep our heads firmly on our shoulders and do what is best for our own kids base on our own circumstances or ideals. No need to keep following the herd.


When you are in the education line, you will hear all sorts of requests or queries. I've had parents asking me why at 3yrs old the kids are not taught formal addition and subtraction. At 4yrs old they ask us when are we going to start teaching the kids how to multiply and creative writing. Oh and one that I will always remember, when will we be teaching the kids BODMAS ( / x + - ). Took me a while to figure out what the parent was asking.

Yes I agree. I hear from different people of their varying needs and I am not affected to do the same for my child at all. Every child is different.

BODMAS for preschool? I suppose if they have Math-gifted child, maybe, but that is more of exception than norm.

[corneyAmber]

jedamum:

ksi:

Tuition is a must-have to solve a known problem. Enrichment solves future problems which may or may not exist but people still want to do it.

tuition is a must have to pull up grades.
enrichment is for those who have spare cash and kiasu.

Jedamum, you are always good with succinct messages. :celebrate:

[corneyAmber]

janet_lee88:

My daughter's PD told me that talking to the child is the best teaching...whether you are changing her diapers, washing the bowls and when feeding. SAHMs have the luxury of teaching their kids right from birth.

Many moons ago, when I first heard of 18 month old kids having enrichment, I was stunned. When I read post about parent of 1 year old asking for enrichment, I am speechless and a dinosaur (outdated parent).

What your PD said is true about my child and I. Since I was the only caregiver when we were overseas, she had no choice but to hear my talking the whole day long... :rotflmao:

[corneyAmber]

Dreamaurora:

My boy just turned 1 month old last week. Any idea what kind of tuition I can give to him now? I want him to has the best chance to be an ultra-mega-elite scholar in the future. :siam:

Janet's PD suggested \"Talk\".

[corneyAmber]

janet_lee88:

As parents, we cannot allow ourselves to follow the herd blindly. Once the child starts school, it is almost for life. Our kids no longer get to enjoy childhood. They are deprived of it.


My SIL is expecting her first child. As an accountant, her baby is probably learning to crunch numbers. Given mummy's intelligence, the baby will not have any prob learning Math.

You are so right, nowadays cannot play so hard. :sad:

[corneyAmber]

BeContented:

jedamum:

[quote=\"ksi\"]
Tuition is a must-have to solve a known problem. Enrichment solves future problems which may or may not exist but people still want to do it.

tuition is a must have to pull up grades.
enrichment is for those who have spare cash and kiasu.

Why u scold me kiasu??? Got spare cannot meh??

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Joking
That's why I say, there is no way to stop people from wanting more tuition/enrichment cos' of the desire to want to be better, headstart, future problem etc. Reduce perhaps maybe.

Truth is, my kids dun need tuition (mine should be enrichment under ksp definition) But I think they are not challenged enough & fact is, they do learn more. If they are overloaded or do not learn new stuff, I will stop. Whole day long full of energy fight, bicker, test each other....no tuition = bug me for tv, computer games = my blood pressure shoots up & I kept losing temper. Occupy their time learn useful things & give me chance to shop while waiting & a little 'date' time with hubby [/quote]I agree with you, the category of 'enrichment' kids are the one who do not need but still want to go for other reasons and they have the option to stop any time if they want. Are they being included into this \"tuition\" nation? I hope not, they should be excluded because theirs is a good-to-hv case.