Asia spending billions on tutors: study

[Lilac66]

concern2:

Lilac66:

If indeed it's due to kiasuism, then what is the thing the MOE, or anybody for the matter, can do to stem this fear of losing out? I mean afterall, kiasuism isn't something that the government can \"ban\". (sounds silly of course). But instead of all the blaming and shaming, what is the very first concrete step (even a baby step is to be encouraged) that can be taken to tackle the problem? Will a campaign on \"Happy and less stressed kids perform better later in life work?\"

I think what is glorified affects people's perception of what is important. Don't just glorify academic excellence, millionaires, or who lives in Sentosa Cove, who won the president scholarship, which school is top etc., Glorify good values like honesty, filial piety, loyalty, justice, kindness, persistence, grace etc.

So the loudspeakers of the 'glorifier' is our media - they have a critical role to play in the forming of our society too. And since we only have THAT many media players here, ... All that is glorified is also well in check?

I do agree wholeheartedly about the influence of the media. In fact it has ever crossed my mind how in the past, girls aspire to be teachers, nurses etc, basically becoz of what was depicted in the news (30 years ago). These seem very noble jobs and the people in such professions are seen as selfless, kind and contributing much to society.

Now, I see alot of youngsters aspiring to be actors and singers or some CEO (not saying it's bad), or even if the media highlights a rags-to-riches story, the ultimate success measurement is that the person has arrived in the material sense. (own many properties, cars, fancy watches ). <Sigh>.. it's the change of the whole landscape. Well,we cannot underestimate the power of the media. If suddenly an article about parents spending a bomb each month to prepare the kids for GEP is not put in a more negative light, sooner or later , parents will take it to be the new norm :sad:

[concern2]

Lilac66:

If suddenly an article about parents spending a bomb each month to prepare the kids for GEP is not put in a more negative light, sooner or later , parents will take it to be the new norm :sad:

I'd think rather than putting the importance of tuitions down, it is better to emphasize other forms of successes. The message to the society, if we think in terms of what media and campaigns can do, is that 'there are many ways of achieving success', and 'Successes come in many forms' .

[Lilac66]

concern2:

Lilac66:

If suddenly an article about parents spending a bomb each month to prepare the kids for GEP is not put in a more negative light, sooner or later , parents will take it to be the new norm :sad:

I'd think rather than putting the importance of tuitions down, it is better to emphasize other forms of successes. The message to the society, if we think in terms of what media and campaigns can do, is that 'there are many ways of achieving success', and 'Successes come in many forms' .

Not so much about tuition but about preparation for GEP (parents spending thousands of bucks) which at the moment thankfully, I believe it's not the norm. But if the media continues to publish such articles every year and the underlying tone seems to imply more and more parents are doing it every year, it'll become a new norm , I'm afraid. When the GEP was first introduced in 1986, preparation was unheard of, until recent years.

[Funz]

Off the cuff thoughts. Possible or not, dunno.


Full day school. Schools to take on non-academic subjects as part of their curriculum. Music, sport, community service, cultural studies, singapore history, home ec, money sense, grooming, etiquette, etc.

Standardised tests for all schools from P4 onwards.
Results for posting to secondary school be based on Pr 4,5,6 results rather than 1 single big exam.

[limlim]

3Boys:

limlim:

As for kiasu parents, you can't do anything about them, there is no point talking about them and put all the blame on them, then what?

I do not dispute or disagree that some kiasu parents maybe an important cause..

But it is meaningless to talk about them.

If they are an important cause, why is it meaningless to talk about them? If attitudes don't change, can anything the MOE do be enough?

It is meaningless to talk about a factor which is not within control.

[janet88]

concern2:

limlim:

Let's talk about what can MOE DO to correct/improve the situation, and not just say that kiasu parents is one of the cause, and stop there.

Relook and revise KPIs of teachers and Principals.

When PSLE is not seen as the BIGGEST test in the life of an 11+/12 year old, when reporters do not stalk popular schools when results are released, when tuition centers do not mention the top student who once studied there, perhaps stress on the poor kids are reduced. More steps can be put in place.

Parents are kiasu because MOE made them so.

[3Boys]

janet_lee88:

concern2:

[quote=\"limlim\"]
Let's talk about what can MOE DO to correct/improve the situation, and not just say that kiasu parents is one of the cause, and stop there.

Relook and revise KPIs of teachers and Principals.

When PSLE is not seen as the BIGGEST test in the life of an 11+/12 year old, when reporters do not stalk popular schools when results are released, when tuition centers do not mention the top student who once studied there, perhaps stress on the poor kids are reduced. More steps can be put in place.

Parents are kiasu because MOE made them so.[/quote]And that, is complete nonsense.

[blessed777]

http://i45.tinypic.com/2u9hb2q.jpg\">

[dunnoleh]

3Boys:

janet_lee88:

When PSLE is not seen as the BIGGEST test in the life of an 11+/12 year old, when reporters do not stalk popular schools when results are released, when tuition centers do not mention the top student who once studied there, perhaps stress on the poor kids are reduced. More steps can be put in place.


Parents are kiasu because MOE made them so.

And that, is complete nonsense.

care to elaborate why janet_lee88's post is complete nonsense?

[jtoh]

janet_lee88:

concern2:

[quote=\"limlim\"]
Let's talk about what can MOE DO to correct/improve the situation, and not just say that kiasu parents is one of the cause, and stop there.

Relook and revise KPIs of teachers and Principals.

When PSLE is not seen as the BIGGEST test in the life of an 11+/12 year old, when reporters do not stalk popular schools when results are released, when tuition centers do not mention the top student who once studied there, perhaps stress on the poor kids are reduced. More steps can be put in place.

Parents are kiasu because MOE made them so.[/quote]The media has taken a definite move in the last few years to focus on students who did well in PSLE in spite of challenges and difficulties they faced. These are not necessarily your top scorers, but students who triumphed in the face of adversity to pass their exams. The media doesn't stalk the popular schools. They will go to schools where the top students are, and in some years, these top students have been from neighbourhood schools like Qifa etc. I believe this is a directive from the top to move away from focusing on top schools and top students.

Tuition centres are a different story altogether. But they're private businesses and we can't regulate how they advertise can we? Perhaps we can but I don't believe in over-regulating.