Is GEP really necessary?
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Melodies:
:? 2ppaamm, R ur 2 sons in Singapore primary schools? Aren't you homeschooling them? If they r not in GEP class? Where to find small class size of 25?
Hi Melodies, my kids are on LOA from Singapore schools since last year. At this point, I see a value putting them in schools and so I no longer homeschool them. At a different point, I might homeschool them again when the situation calls for it. My older one was still in GEP last year and the younger is only 9 (P3), he is accelerated 2 years, but I chose to put him in a class of his age peers. The older boy has been accelerated 7 years and he is dual enrolled. 25 a class is the max per class in public schools here.
Fancy how our Singapore schools score high marks on facilities and nice buildings, but forgot the 'software'. I think it is so much better to invest more on teachers, pay them more, recruit more talented and quality teachers, reduce class size for ALL (not save this just for the GEPers). In any case, I have realized you don't need to take high ability students out to enrich their learning experiences as long as we have good teachers and small class sizes.
With the lack of us parents getting involved in school work, I found the freedom to teach and work with my kids beyond what our minds' eyes can see: from cooking gourmet food, to programming, sewing dresses and even advanced post grad work. Why would I want to get involved and teach my kids schoolwork if I send them to school. If I want to teach them school work, I will homeschool them and not send them to school. Since I have chosen to send them to school, I will entrust the teachers to do the right things for the boys now, and I don't want to get involved that much. Besides, by homeschooling them over the last 2 years, I have given them enough 'buffer' to last them a long time, I reckon. I think both boys can do without my involvement in school for a long time, being ahead of their peers. At an appropriate time, I can 'retire' from academic involvement completely, which is round about 14 years old for the older 3 when they get right into their uni routines. Now, I simply play a passive role as an advisor, course finder and form-filler (O, also fee-payer) when they need administrative work done. :imcool:
But that's just me... everyone is different and that's what make this world interesting! :boogie: -
ksi:
:yikes: At 12, my son is a Gramma-nazi and has a habit of correcting people's smallest mistakes. He said his classmates do it too and there is this Facebook group (or something) that his GEP classmates and him will laugh about - this P6 non-GEPer's grammar. And he wonders how these kids will pass their PSLE, he told me his friends and him will discuss online (even though he no longer attends his classes in Singapore).
:yikes: Did you proof-read what you have written? You are an ex-GEPper?ForumWriter:
Haha in my time, we just suanned each other (similar abilities) outright, no mercy given for low scorers. Or make friendly bets on who scores better, loser has to do some forfeit. Works well, because people want face in winning these bragging rights!
Sadly, this doesn't work outside of GEP, because everyone will misunderstand and say you are an arrogant elitist. But I find that this competitive spirit works better than any physical punishment. Nothing else causes someone to study hard to beat others like a good \"haha yes! I own you, you suck\" to the face. No point comparing to people worse off though, always compete with people who are better.
I worry about this a lot. A lot. And I take time to reverse this. I don't want my kid to grow up thinking that it is alright to compete in such a manner, especially if he is bright. When you are truly bright, there are people holding guns out ready to shoot you, looking for your faults and your 'hao-lian-ness'. And with this terrible attitude, he is asking for maximum trouble. Problem is, GEP has the problem of breeding this sad, false, overinflated ego within the children.
I have made it a point to teach my kids that they are no geniuses or anything more brilliant than an average student. In fact, we are all good in different areas. δΈε±±ζ΄ζ―δΈε±±ι«οΌ GEPers need to know that there are people who are way smarter than them, even in Singapore, why should they think the world is just GEP and mainstream? δΊεΊδΉθοΌ Do GEPers know that there are Singaporeans who start university at 9? If anything, our students generally lack EQ, which really, is what makes people successful in their careers. IQ plays a small, small part. Think about the most successful people - even professors have to have good EQ to find and collaborate with the right people on their research. Parents of GEPers need to tell their kids that they are nothing special from the non-GEPers, otherwise, they are really in for a good shock, when they have to report to one mainstreamer (or more likely, a foreign talent) one day
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2ppaamm, if I am rich and have the resources, I would like to teach my kids by my own self too
I think it is a dream that most parents in Singapore has -
violin_lover:
2ppaamm, if I am rich and have the resources, I would like to teach my kids by my own self too
I think it is a dream that most parents in Singapore has
Have the resources I agree... but how come must be rich? :? -
2ppaamm:
If rich, don't have to work and can spend the time to teach the kidsviolin_lover:
2ppaamm, if I am rich and have the resources, I would like to teach my kids by my own self too
I think it is a dream that most parents in Singapore has
Have the resources I agree... but how come must be rich? :?
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violin_lover:
If rich, don't have to work and can spend the time to teach the kids :-D[/quote]oic! :rotflmao:2ppaamm:
[quote=\"violin_lover\"]2ppaamm, if I am rich and have the resources, I would like to teach my kids by my own self too
I think it is a dream that most parents in Singapore has
Have the resources I agree... but how come must be rich? :? -
violin_lover:
If rich, don't have to work and can spend the time to teach the kids :-D[/quote]you be bored stiff without work :rotflmao:2ppaamm:
[quote=\"violin_lover\"]2ppaamm, if I am rich and have the resources, I would like to teach my kids by my own self too
I think it is a dream that most parents in Singapore has
Have the resources I agree... but how come must be rich? :? -
verykiasu2010:
Can always write papers for publication. There are so many things to do
you be bored stiff without work :rotflmao:
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violin_lover:
Or give tuition, or run GEP prep classes. No work does not mean no money. :moneyflies:
Can always write papers for publication. There are so many things to doverykiasu2010:
you be bored stiff without work :rotflmao: -
2ppaamm:
Or give tuition, or run GEP prep classes. No work does not mean no money. :moneyflies:[/quote] :rotflmao: Your kids will be my pioneer customers.
Can always write papers for publication. There are so many things to doviolin_lover:
[quote=\"verykiasu2010\"]
you be bored stiff without work :rotflmao:
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