MOE Relooking P1 registration - Too much priority to alumni

[limlim]

alng:

A parent can drive his child to a school that is more than 20 km away in 20 mins via the highway versus another child who travels more than 45 mins on a school bus to a school that is 2 km away.

And contribute to the congestion and inconveniences to others who may be using the highway and rushing to work to make ends meet.. for 10km stretch of road as compared to someone who may contribute to the congestion for only 1km stretch of road.

btw.. 45mins for 2km is a bit unrealistic..

[alng]

wearefamily:

I'm intending to register my child in my alma mater. I live 3.5km away but take only 10min, 15min tops to drive from my house to the school. Am I considered living far away from the school?

No you are not far from the school but unfortunately, 3 km is > 2 km. Fortunately, you will register under phase 2A and get into the school.
My workplace is less than 2 km away from my place. I take me less than 10 mins to drive to work during the morning peak hours. But if I were to take the public bus, I will take about 45 mins to an hour (my last bus ride to work during morning peak hours was at least 3 years ago so I am not sure of current situation now). So I will never take the public bus. I will take a cab if I have to and that will cost me about $5+. Just that cabs are rare near my place in the morning peak hours. So I have to book for a cab in advance and that cost me more money. Imagine if I am talking about my child going to school every morning here.

[MMM]

wearefamily:

I'm intending to register my child in my alma mater. I live 3km away but take only 10min, 15min tops to drive from my house to the school. Am I considered living far away from the school?

So long as the school is not outside your house, it is considered as far

Seriously, we are in the same situation. Kids go to my alma mater which is like 10-15 mins drive away in the morning. But they have 4 direct buses back home and it takes them around 30 mins. We think it's manageable.

We do have a fairly popular school within 1km (5 mins walk) but why should we take the risk when we can get a confirmed place in my alma mater and their overall CCA + academic offering is better???

[alng]

limlim:

btw.. 45mins for 2km is a bit unrealistic..

This is possible if the school bus goes round and round the housing estate. It depends on the bus route. It also depends on the size of bus. A 40 seater bus will go on a longer route to fetch more kids vs a 12 seater van.

[LOLMum]

MMM:

wearefamily:

I'm intending to register my child in my alma mater. I live 3km away but take only 10min, 15min tops to drive from my house to the school. Am I considered living far away from the school?

So long as the school is not outside your house, it is considered as far

Seriously, we are in the same situation. Kids go to my alma mater which is like 10-15 mins drive away in the morning. But they have 4 direct buses back home and it takes them around 30 mins. We think it's manageable.

We do have a fairly popular school within 1km (5 mins walk) but why should we take the risk when we can get a confirmed place in my alma mater and their overall CCA + academic offering is better???

those living within 1km of your alma mater would dislike you but those living within 1km of your fairly popular school will like you.

just cant please everyone

[keroppi]

MMM:

wearefamily:

I'm intending to register my child in my alma mater. I live 3km away but take only 10min, 15min tops to drive from my house to the school. Am I considered living far away from the school?

So long as the school is not outside your house, it is considered as far

Seriously, we are in the same situation. Kids go to my alma mater which is like 10-15 mins drive away in the morning. But they have 4 direct buses back home and it takes them around 30 mins. We think it's manageable.

We do have a fairly popular school within 1km (5 mins walk) but why should we take the risk when we can get a confirmed place in my alma mater and their overall CCA + academic offering is better???

I'm another one in the same boat. But for me, I think I've made the right decision. I trained my kids to take public transport home from P3 onwards so they are independent and street-smart. So when it comes to Sec school, distance is not a problem for them - they know how to manage their time and can study or read on the train.

[alng]

MMM:

wearefamily:

I'm intending to register my child in my alma mater. I live 3km away but take only 10min, 15min tops to drive from my house to the school. Am I considered living far away from the school?

So long as the school is not outside your house, it is considered as far

Seriously, we are in the same situation. Kids go to my alma mater which is like 10-15 mins drive away in the morning. But they have 4 direct buses back home and it takes them around 30 mins. We think it's manageable.

We do have a fairly popular school within 1km (5 mins walk) but why should we take the risk when we can get a confirmed place in my alma mater and their overall CCA + academic offering is better???

That is why I hope that parents under phases 2B and 2C can understand how parents under phase 2A feel. Looking at the current P1 registration statistics, who dare to take a risk to register the nearest school under phase 2C (which requires balloting) when one has a better (but further) option under phase 2A?

No one system will satisfy all parents. As parents, we just want the best for our kids.

[keroppi]

alng:

MMM:

[quote=\"wearefamily\"]I'm intending to register my child in my alma mater. I live 3km away but take only 10min, 15min tops to drive from my house to the school. Am I considered living far away from the school?

So long as the school is not outside your house, it is considered as far

Seriously, we are in the same situation. Kids go to my alma mater which is like 10-15 mins drive away in the morning. But they have 4 direct buses back home and it takes them around 30 mins. We think it's manageable.

We do have a fairly popular school within 1km (5 mins walk) but why should we take the risk when we can get a confirmed place in my alma mater and their overall CCA + academic offering is better???

That is why I hope that parents under phases 2B and 2C can understand how parents under phase 2A feel. Looking at the current P1 registration statistics, who dare to take a risk to register the nearest school under phase 2C (which requires balloting) when one has a better (but further) option under phase 2A?

No one system will satisfy all parents. As parents, we just want the best for our kids.[/quote]Aye :grphug:

[keroppi]

I see kids in the neighbourhood going up their school buses as early as 6.15 am in the morning. The school is nearby so it means either the bus reaches school early (needs to go on a 2nd shift to pick up office or factory workers) or it takes 1 hr to go around the estate. :faint:

[dorisp]

alng:

That is why I hope that parents under phases 2B and 2C can understand how parents under phase 2A feel. Looking at the current P1 registration statistics, who dare to take a risk to register the nearest school under phase 2C (which requires balloting) when one has a better (but further) option under phase 2A?

No one system will satisfy all parents. As parents, we just want the best for our kids.

IMHO, the discussion here should not always be perceived that it comes from hungry 2B and 2C parents wanting a system to satisfy them.

Judging from the remarks above, there seemed a genuine unhealthy situation under the current system resulting in some alumni and those staying nearby in Phase 2B and 2C faced a problem of inefficiency whereby they each have to travel further than they would idealy have to send their child to school.

Isn't this a sign that the current system needs a major overhaul? :evil: