Real reason behind Singapore’s obsession with tuition

[limlim]

tutormum:

DS3 came back with the news that his class topped English in their level for mid year. The class was understandably happy over their achievements. However, they were amused by their English teacher's response to the news.


Teacher: your editing is not very good
One student: But teacher, our English is top in the level
Teacher: yes, but your ** is not very good
Same student: But teacher, our English is top in the level
Teacher: yes, but your ** is not very good

DS3 told me that the class was \"we are top but the teacher still think that we are not very good\" :roll: :roll: :roll:

Nothing wrong with the teachers comment.

Just an example.. The top in the school score 55 marks.. the rest all fail. can it be considered \"good\"?........ relatively, this student has obtain the best ROI of the resources available.. but the resources available may be substandard in the first place..

[corneyAmber]

limlim:

tutormum:

DS3 came back with the news that his class topped English in their level for mid year. The class was understandably happy over their achievements. However, they were amused by their English teacher's response to the news.


Teacher: your editing is not very good
One student: But teacher, our English is top in the level
Teacher: yes, but your ** is not very good
Same student: But teacher, our English is top in the level
Teacher: yes, but your ** is not very good

DS3 told me that the class was \"we are top but the teacher still think that we are not very good\" :roll: :roll: :roll:

Nothing wrong with the teachers comment.

Just an example.. The top in the school score 55 marks.. the rest all fail. can it be considered \"good\"?........ relatively, this student has obtain the best ROI of the resources available.. but the resources available may be substandard in the first place..

It is all about perspective:

Teacher who sets the target : Children, you can do better!
Children who perform : Teacher, can you give us some encouragement?
3rd party like us : Aiyo why so harsh or so high expectation?

[Champion]

limlim:

I respect those teachers who takes full responsibility of their student's results, and not push it to someone else to teach core materials..

:goodpost: :celebrate:

Had this conversation with the CL's t during last PTM -

CL T:\" Hi, Mrs Sxxx, any area that you are concerned with regarding your child?\"
Me: \" Ermmm...think she able to cope with the school work and exam; any area you think she needs improvement or extra coaching?\"
CL T,\" No, i think she is doing fine in school and I know she has no tuition for CL?\"
Me:\" yes, she is depending on herself and the mummy here at home. In school, she is depending on you!\"
CL T:\" I am glad that I can be of help to her and the class. I would think she needs no extra tuition and if there are areas she unable to comprehend, she can always approach me - in class or after school. If not, you may also drop me an E-mail.\"

I respect this CL T - he has other level/class to teach too but when exchanging conversation with other parents - they are also full of praise for him as he replies e-mail (although at times late ) and student's queries.

Oh, on a side note -- the whole conversation we had was in English and I was pretty surprised that a CL T can speak so good English (no Singlish hor)!

[corneyAmber]

Champion:

limlim:

I respect those teachers who takes full responsibility of their student's results, and not push it to someone else to teach core materials..

:goodpost: :celebrate:

Had this conversation with the CL's t during last PTM -

CL T:\" Hi, Mrs Sxxx, any area that you are concerned with regarding your child?\"
Me: \" Ermmm...think she able to cope with the school work and exam; any area you think she needs improvement or extra coaching?\"
CL T,\" No, i think she is doing fine in school and I know she has no tuition for CL?\"
Me:\" yes, she is depending on herself and the mummy here at home. In school, she is depending on you!\"
CL T:\" I am glad that I can be of help to her and the class. I would think she needs no extra tuition and if there are areas she unable to comprehend, she can always approach me - in class or after school. If not, you may also drop me an E-mail.\"

I respect this CL T - he has other level/class to teach too but when exchanging conversation with other parents - they are also full of praise for him as he replies e-mail (although at times late ) and student's queries.

Oh, on a side note -- the whole conversation we had was in English and I was pretty surprised that a CL T can speak so good English (no Singlish hor)!

Good model teacher :rahrah: to be replicated to all schools.

[LOLMum]

Clone this teacher…

[buds]

limlim:

oxyleo:

It is evident not everyone's experiences are the same. Do note we may all be comparing experiences occurring within different timelines. Some of us have kids who are already working adults. Some have kids who are too young or in lower pri to even fathom the stress encountered in upp Pri. Some don't even get involved with teaching their children. Hopefully we can all try to understand from the experiences shared by everyone here in its rightful context.


If we are always stuck in an air-con room, it's going to be difficult to understand someone's complaint about the horrific sweltering heat.

If we are used to driving or being chauffeured around, it is going to be difficult to understand why some people complain about bus delays in the sweltering heat. We may want to try it for ourselves first before brushing it off as a complaint. It is also way different if you are dressed in exercise gear for a leisurely run, and shower thereafter, vs perspiring in the heat when you are dressed in work attire heading for the next 10 hours of work. Very, very different experiences.

If we visit The Marketplace at Tanglin Mall for weekly grocery shopping, we are not going to understand why everyone else seems to complain how overcrowded every other mall seems to be on weekends.

:goodpost:

Good post here...? :skeptical:

limlim:

Nothing is more cheap then saying \"you are not a teacher so cannot understand the difficulties of being a teacher etc etc..\"

However, I would say I'll probably jump at the opportunity if offered a teaching position years ago..

Teachers are not lowly paid.. their salary is highly competitive and better than what many MNC offers.

If being teachers is undesirable, why the MOE podium outside the interview room got no lack of applicants..


Sure..

We are not ministers so we can never understand why minister MUST be paid millions to conclude that \"no amount of engineering can prevent it\".

IF being a teacher is so TOUGH like some of the pple here say.. how can they ever afford the extra energy to moonlight? doesn't makes sense to me..

Maybe.. moonlighting helps them to \"relax\" from the stressful school activities.....

It's like saying.. do more part-time work.. it will let you relax from your full time job.

Cheap here?

Humans are full of contradiction. :roll:

[buds]

LOLMum:

Clone this teacher....

There are plenty. Just that the seemingly not so good ones shared have clouded the many very exemplary ones.

In both the schools my DD has attended/still attending... the Principals and Vice-principals themselves echo their vision of not encouraging external tuition for all the students.

\"Whatever the students need to learn, they can get it here in schools.. from our teachers. So that when school's over, they get to rest and play and be the children that they are.\"

In class, my children both raved that all their subject teachers welcome questions. Their teachers constantly remind them, \"If still cannot understand, please ask... we will go through again together.\"

[buds]

oxyleo:

It is evident not everyone's experiences are the same. Do note we may all be comparing experiences occurring within different timelines. Some of us have kids who are already working adults. Some have kids who are too young or in lower pri to even fathom the stress encountered in upp Pri. Some don't even get involved with teaching their children. Hopefully we can all try to understand from the experiences shared by everyone here in its rightful context.


If we are always stuck in an air-con room, it's going to be difficult to understand someone's complaint about the horrific sweltering heat.

If we are used to driving or being chauffeured around, it is going to be difficult to understand why some people complain about bus delays in the sweltering heat. We may want to try it for ourselves first before brushing it off as a complaint. It is also way different if you are dressed in exercise gear for a leisurely run, and shower thereafter, vs perspiring in the heat when you are dressed in work attire heading for the next 10 hours of work. Very, very different experiences.

If we visit The Marketplace at Tanglin Mall for weekly grocery shopping, we are not going to understand why everyone else seems to complain how overcrowded every other mall seems to be on weekends.

VERY :goodpost:, oxyleo!

[verykiasu2010]

limlim:

verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"janet_lee88\"]Hi daisyt,

I see no reason how I can possibly approach the P or HOD.
My son is still studying in the school. All I can say is it is really pointless. Sorry if this is selfish but my hands are tied.

ya you tied your own hands

but since there is no reason then nothing to complain about

If the recruit wants to complain against the PC, he must feedback to/via the PC.. does it makes sense to you?[/quote]if the teacher is not teaching, first level of complain is to the principal or the HOD

[buds]

janet_lee88:

1) If your child's teacher presumes the class has already learnt the topic and throws them worksheets, will you get a tutor ?

No. We'll clarify with teacher first if topic was never covered in the first place.

janet_lee88:

2) If your child's teacher finishes a science topic in 1 lesson, will you be afraid ?

Afraid? No. But once again, will clarify with teacher.
No Science topic can be fully covered in a half hour lesson. :siao:

janet_lee88:

This is happening.

:hugs: to you, janet_lee88.

Thankfully we've never come across this scenario.
Not even amongst our friends' children. Hopefully never. :xedfingers: