Asia spending billions on tutors: study

[verykiasu2010]

Singfrench:

-- no more elite schools: truly equal opportunities for all. e.g.: setting a quota based on household income (e.g. every school must have 20 % of the lowest 20%tile), trying to make core teaching more uniform across all schools, less focus on t-scores.

quota ..... you from M'sia ? that's how they do it .... quota ....in order to fit the quota, the passing mark of Add Math for the reserved quota people could be as high as 25 to 30 marks, while those left with crumbs (in terms of places) got to achieve a low passing park of 50 or 60 ......

equal opportunities and yet based on household income and less focus on t-score (ranking exercise) is totally self contradicting. why should the well off be discriminated ?

by the way, t-score is just a ranking exercise. do we seriously expect everyone of the 40+ thousand kids to be on par in every aspect? let them be the robots and minions of the Despicable Me then

[buds]

Musings:

BlurDad:

4. What are the possible / practical solutions? In my opinion:
a) MOE/Schools can leverage on selected external vendors (tuition centers) to complement their supplementary classes for weaker students by subsidizing heavily (according to kids' household income) the fees - this will help the teachers (who may be overly-stretched by schools' KPIs, multiple roles demanding of them) and assist those low income kids who genuinely need assistance.

I think this is already happening in many schools. Fees can be paid for by Edusave so effectively it is free for students.

Musings is right. It is already happening and yes in many schools and in fact in many schools too! Government tops up Edusave and children can earn more in their accounts by doing well or being the most improved. Apart from that the children are also entitled to a bursary sum as well... if the family income is within a certain capped amount pre-determined.

BlurDad:

I would think MOE/Schools could do more. As someone mentioned, the Edusave may be insufficient. Most schools offer “Enrichment” programs – not so much on “tuition” classes which is essentially to help the students grasp the concepts better (more time / at slower pace) or to make their learning experience more pleasant. However, I have the strange feeling that nowadays the students may need to be “enriched” in order to cope with the normal school assignments. The line between “Enrichment” and “Tuition” is blurred / confused ie. Top Schools papers are in great demand J.

There has always been such help rendered to ALL students pertaining to this.
It is termed as remedial. Students zoomed in to have underlying foundation issues and under-performing students ie. failing or almost failing (Band 3s and Band 4s) will receive 'invitation' to attend. However, better performing ones have been known to be welcomed into this extra after school lesson as well.

BlurDad:

Getting some older students to assist the younger / weaker students is certainly a good idea. However, the effectiveness may be “limited” as a more structured/consistent approach provides a platform for us to leverage – basically to reach out more for those in need.

I'm not sure about older students but the school my daughters used to attend has graduating students who are currently undertaking poly diplomas or in jcs (etc) come back for mentorship programme to tutor weaker students some of whom have been identified to have learning difficulties. The approach is consistent and structured as these graduates apply the techniques using the lesson plans and methodologies created for this separate programme termed, Learning Support Programme. I was invited a few times to pilot the complete tried tested and proven Montessori Math programme in a few primary schools (by recommendation from fellow teacher-friends) for their teachers and former-student volunteers. Children identified to undergo this LSP are observed to be lacking in basic foundation to move forward with the ongoing curriculum and hence require to go back to have basic concepts embedded to move on with the rest of their peers. Once these students overcome that hurdle and are performing well, they are not required to come for the LSP sessions anymore. This bridges the gap some children may face... ie. for children who fall within the cracks of the system... perhaps due to parental ignorance of basic preps.. perhaps due to lack of funding for early childhood education.. perhaps the kindy or childcare didn't prepare them sufficiently or well yah.. perhaps the teachers in kindy didn't teach either even with a given curriculum. Many possibilities. Do not be surprised when i share that there are some of my own friends who do not believe in early childhood education at all.

I however believe that that is where children really start. All that learning thru play is the real thing.. the real learning begins then.. the foundation of what they need is via those absorbent years. As i follow up with former students i have taught, there were many who were auto pilot ie. did not need tuition for the foundation was concrete and prepares them beyond primary school for the Montessori Education prepares a child for life. Failures included.

BlurDad:

In addition, I got an idea (not sure if it makes any sense) whereby the MOE/Schools might want to experiment it:-



a) We are quite used to the word “integrated” like “Integrated Resource”…etc – Can we consider integrated “After-care” service platform in our Schools?

b) This “After-care” service platform comprises “tuition” as one of its components but run by selected external vendors. They rent the a small office space from School and use the classrooms/facilities of the School to deliver lessons.

c) Just like the School canteen operators, they provide “affordable” and “nutritious” food to our children because the Rental is low (running cost).

d) Volunteers like older students, retired teachers, educated homemakers, part-timers… can leverage this “After-care” service platform to help the needy students.

Once again, this is already in place. There are schools in Singapore that offer in-house after school care service. Parents can fetch by 7pm. Whatever the typical after-school care offers.. these service does the same and at an attractive price. A cousin paid only like $250-ish per month. Lunch, homework, revision, supervision, pick a sport plus indoor educational games. Her son has finished O levels now. So this has been in place for that long... perhaps even way earlier.

My humble sharings.

[buds]

BeContented:

That day, we asked son to describe his family (just in case for DSA interview)....'My mother is a housewife. She does household chores'. DH prompted him for more....he went 'she cooks, cleans the house, chauffeur us to lessons.'. DH turned around and looked at me 'lovingly/luringly' ..... is that what you do at home? Not teaching or revising with them..... :nailbite:

Betcha won't wanna know what my daughter said.. but i'm gonna tell ya anyway.

In one class sharing about jobs people do/parents/relatives/neighbours (etc) students were invited to share their thoughts. My daughter was asked her opinion.

Teacher : Yes, how about you dear? What are your thoughts on this?

DD2 : In my opinion, being a housewife is about the most difficult job in the world.

Teacher : *raising eyebrows* and a twinkle in her eye.. (according to DD2) Why so?

DD2 : I don't know about other moms. But my mom is a housewife. There was once i asked why she called herself SAM online. ( Read : SAHM ) I found out it stood for Stay At Home Mom. :rotflmao:

Our home is her office and it never seems to close. She does everything for the family. Not just for me. She cooks delicious food for us, cleans the house and sometimes our rooms cos we can be lazy. She teaches us fun stuff and we don't realize we're learning. It doesn't seem so tough after she explains the work to us. She has a big room full of materials for us to use anytime we want. She brings us out to play and sometimes swimming or just spending time with us and at times with gramps when they don't hafta work. My mom is also very funny. She cracks a lotta funny jokes to make us laugh and sometimes she wasn't even smiling. My mom can multi-task really good and i don't think i can do that. I'd be tired. But i think she's more tired especially now she's going to have another baby. So that's why i think being a housewife is the most difficult job in the world.

Teacher : Wow. Nice sharing and indeed i agree that sure sounds difficult. Very difficult. So, there'd be three of you in future then yah.. more fun.

DD2 : Actually, it'd be 4 of us soon.

Teacher : :yikes:

Teacher : How abt your father... what does he do?

DD2 : Orhh.. he just brings in the money.

janet_lee88:

Can't beat what my daughter said...she told her form teacher that mummy plays 'angry bird' instead of housework :faint: My son said mummy plays angry bird to destress...by whacking the pigs.

Wayy better than whacking the kids.. :evil:

[buds]

oxyleo:

buds:

[quote=\"oxyleo\"]For the most part, it's a clear conscience and physical exhaustion that makes one sleep extremely well.

Uhh? I thought it should be goooood sex that makes one sleep EXTREMELY well? Especially on cool early morns of late.. No? :skeptical:

Ops. Wrong thread. :offtopic:

Thot it was notti corner....
.
.
.
But it is just notti me.
As usual.

For me, it's thinking how balanced my day was each day that puts this busy mind at ease. Enough play? Enough quality time together? Enough laughs and hugs? That never fails to bring me to more happy wake up calls each morning to my brood of 4. :love:

There's more than enough work everyday. For everyone in da house.

Office work. Housework. Homework. Break away some times from that cycle and take time to appreciate the stuff around us that also matters but often overlooked. This way, one can look more positively at yet more fresh work the next day(s)... yes, for everyone in da house.

Hopefully with fresh eyes, we see things on a fresher perspective each day.

:evil: Naughty naughty indeed!

Not everyone has a groovy a life as you babe, or Austin Powers! Why must you share so candidly to make others who may be on the other end of the spectrum, living the celibate life of nuns and priests :drool: ?

Hahahaha!

Yes, positivity and fresh eyes for a fresher perspective is very very good for good health and longevity.[/quote]Naaahh.. i don't have that kinda life. Groovy is as groovy gets. I have my fair share of pains growing pains (of my children) within the system but like schweppes said it best, and in fact a motto in some schools... in partnership we succeed. Will share more another time, where quiet moments allows for more coherent writing..

[buds]

Busymom:

I do not think that some forummers here lack empathy per se. It is perhaps the constant \"attacking\" by some on MOE and teachers over multiple threads in this forum over the last few months that caused some wanting to speak up and present an alternative view to balance things up a bit.

Sadly, it's always been misrepresented as having the perfect life or the perfect children... Between the lines, we have shared plenty and exhaustively... but oh well... nobody truly listens... or reads (in this case)...

ksi:

People tend to rant under pressure...

Some tho tend to just keep ranting away. So some of us have empathized quite enough already. Soooo many replicated threads just to rant leh. Not constructive. This thread so far not too bad. Yet..

One bad teacher experience doesn't justify all teachers are the same. So while ranting, sweeping statements can mislead parents who are first timers to primary education as they are not able to discern between actual facts and personal experiences.

A noobie just posted this... and it's only her 4th posting here! :yikes:

joliemum:

I belong to the 10% who don't send my kids to tuition. But I may be soon joining the 90%, coz I've been hearing friends with kids not being able to cope without tuition.. sigh.. any good tuition centres to recommend for P1 and P3 next year?

While bad teacher experiences aren't myths for sure, neither issit the truth everywhere... or all the time. Frightening new parents (who keep reading negative retorts on all things negative pertaining to primary school education) entering formal education with their children, only pushes the phenomenon further.

Busymom:

And if I may raise my white flag first: I did say that there are areas that MOE can improve… just don’t keep blaming MOE for every single woe in our society. It makes people like me who is sitting on the fence feel a need to add some balance to some of the arguments.

:goodpost:

Yes, none of us on the other side of the fence ever indicated that MOE was or had a perfect system in place. You got that right. However the optimism seemed to have brushed off somewhat like we have never experienced pain or encountered bad teachers and so on... It happens. No need to go so far as to compare between schools, within same school oredi got. But it's how we deal with it and resolve it that matters in the end. There are many contributing factors as to why a student does badly or does not show actual potential. There will be some parents who are quick to resort to tuition as immediate solution but there are others who continuously and relentlessly work with the school and the teachers with their available resources and value-add programmes to better things. I'm one such parent who believe in parent-school partnership. Over years of continued good partnership with the school(s)... i'm better enlightened of what goes on within.

[verykiasu2010]

autumnbronze:

verykiasu2010:

[quote=\"KSP\"]he can easily buy a house next to NYPS and do volunteer (singing) for the school to qualify for P2B.....

based on property guru website, the detached units there are asking 13m and semi-d above 8 to 9 m .... :faint:

He is THE Andy Lau, sure he can afford one [/quote]or even two

[autumnbronze]

verykiasu2010:

autumnbronze:

He is THE Andy Lau, sure he can afford one

or even two

:rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[verykiasu2010]

verykiasu2010:

will this thread end up as another MOE-bashing, teacher-bashing thread ?


teach less learn more ?

teachers hardly teach ?

test beyond scope ? questions too hard ?

lousy text books ? lousy notes ? no notes ? teacher can't explain ?

useless model method ?

teachers low standard / no standard ?

teacher ask students to go for tuition ?

MOE does not respond ? leave it to school head to decide ?

want to bet ? :evil: :evil: :evil: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :siam:

the last 50 pages just confirmed what was predicted

[buds]

The real people benefitting from this thread is well...


TUTORS!

A few are masquerading as understanding readers..
Some pretending to be parents.. A few others are
more blatant.. hantam school teachers also.. :faint:

Hint : They are noobies in disguise.

[verykiasu2010]

buds:

The real people benefitting from this thread is well...


TUTORS!

A few are masquerading as understanding readers..
Some pretending to be parents.. A few others are
more blatant.. hantam school teachers also.. :faint:

Hint : They are noobies in disguise.

may be even some of the MOE/teacher bashers are tuition teachers ...... :evil: :evil: