Is GEP really necessary?

[ruohoo97]

Edureach:

2ppaamm


... i hve learnt all these years that the market is bigger than me and i need to listen to the price actions of a counter which i hve a position. Thinking that one is supreme in his area of expertise will spell disaster. There's always something for me to learn from someone.
....
Looking back, i realised how folly i was.

Well said, Edureach, I remembered how boastful and ambitious I was when I was in U and Post U days. In the real world, there are millions better than you out there. 三人行，必有吾师

[ruohoo97]

cherryc:

纪赟：新加坡小学教育的反思 Zaobao 17-8-2012



　　在学习上处于劣势，其实完全可以在今后的教育上得以弥补，而我更担心的一点却是，新加坡这样一种严格的小学精英筛选机制，会使一些开窍过晚的孩子由于分流过早，从而永远失去未来的机会。更有甚者，这种半天制再加上筛选的方式，还会加大社会分层。因为给孩子上各种补习班或请家教，会直接与父母的教育程度、收入情况、社会地位等相关，非常明显一些处在社会底层的人士，他们的子女很难获得更好的补充教育机会。

　　提出以上意见，不代表我否认新加坡教育的巨大优势。比起中国，本地英式教育更利于学生的国际化，并且非常透明的制度保障，也比中国要更为公平。我对自己女儿的教育并不担心，因为新加坡的教育总体而言更有利于培养精英，我和家人也有足够的精力与物质投入，可以保障她在未来的残酷竞争获得一席之地，然而我们是否能够指望每一个新加坡家庭，都能良好地面对并处理这样一种空前的压力呢？

　　一个成功的教育，并不仅仅只是层层筛选出以后管理我们这个社会的少数精英，而将其他众多人置于一旁去接受打过折扣的次一等教育——即使你给这个方式加上一个“因材施教”的堂皇招牌。教育应该是去尽量发挥每一个孩童最大的潜力，呵护改善并提高他们的能力与心智，并使他们成为真正能推动新加坡社会前进步伐的主人。

Don't know those 精英们 really can understand this Chinese article or not :imcool:

[2ppaamm]

comfy:

All I know of is that Gep kids have to work hard in order to be offered CO through DSA. They have to 'justified' themselves through showing what they have achieved throughout their 3 years in that programme. Yes, I will like to believe that they most did well for their SA1 (P5 & P6) but perhaps a handful didn't get high PSLE score but because of DSA are able to enter those schools that you mentioned. Personally, I think this is the beauty of DSA, isn' it, not just based on one PSLE exam but allow the schools to accept certain/different type of students. From what I read from the DSA thread, quite a few of maintstream students are also offered CO/WL regardless of their PSLE aggregate. So ultimately, it depends on the school.

Of course a GEPper has to work very hard to get a CO through DSA. But the question is do you think it is easier for a GEPper to get a CO then a mainstreamer? If yes, then why the privilege. Second question to you, so you think that handful who slip by and get through by DSA deserves those seats better than every of the 4-5 who were misplaced due to them? Have these mainstreamers worked less hard in your opinion simply because they are not GEPpers? Are we not saying each and every child in the system is equally important and a meritocracy system? Why do you think it is ok for this handful to be given such privilege? Also, I am curious why you think having this DSA preference is only a DSA preference. Isn't that what so many 12 years old give up their childhood for? Isn't that what many parents pay thousands and thousands in tuition for? Why is this 'just'? Would you say the same if your child did not qualify for GEP? I ask because I am curious what you think. If these are answered, I will go on to the other issues, one at a time.

[2ppaamm]

comfy:

2ppaamm:

[quote=\"comfy\"]
For my child, depends on the subject and teacher. Weaker child in term of academic subjects?

Yes, do you think a child weaker academically than your child should have a smaller class than your child, and why or why not?

A conditional yes. If the teacher is able/willing to teach and identify the weakness of the kid. If the kid wants to improve. Have I answer your questoin? Pardon me, have to read your post a few times, getting old.[/quote]Then, my next question is, why do you think the GEPpers' classes are smaller, given that ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, the weaker students should have a smaller student-teacher ratio? Why is giving smaller classes to gifted children justifiable.

[2ppaamm]

\"我和家人也有足够的精力与物质投入...

我们是否能够指望每一个新加坡家庭，都能良好地面对并处理这样一种空前的压力\"

不只需足够的物质投入，还得早开窍，要不永失机会。为了培养少数精英，而糟蹋大数人才。“因材施教”这个堂皇招牌，就算在天才班也毫无存在。 :sad:

[cherryc]

2ppaamm,


The phrases that strike me most (first is same as yours)

1) 我和家人也有足够的精力与物质投入!!

2) 新加坡这样一种严格的小学精英筛选机制，会使一些开窍过晚的孩子由于分流过早，从而永远失去未来的机会

3)一个成功的教育，并不仅仅只是层层筛选出以后管理我们这个社会的少数精英

4)教育应该是去尽量发挥每一个孩童最大的潜力，呵护改善并提高他们的能力与心智

Ruohoo97,
I wish some bilingual 精英们 can help us to translate.

[2ppaamm]

cherryc:

2ppaamm,


The phrases that strike me most (first is same as yours)

1) 我和家人也有足够的精力与物质投入!!

2) 新加坡这样一种严格的小学精英筛选机制，会使一些开窍过晚的孩子由于分流过早，从而永远失去未来的机会

3)一个成功的教育，并不仅仅只是层层筛选出以后管理我们这个社会的少数精英

4)教育应该是去尽量发挥每一个孩童最大的潜力，呵护改善并提高他们的能力与心智

Ruohoo97,
I wish some bilingual 精英们 can help us to translate.

既然看得懂，为何需翻译？Kind of fun using my rusty, but favourite language... Just cut and paste it on some online translator and have a rough (and strange!) idea what it is saying

[comfy]

2ppaamm:

Of course a GEPper has to work very hard to get a CO through DSA. But the question is do you think it is easier for a GEPper to get a CO then a mainstreamer?Reply : I don't think so.
Second question to you, so you think that handful who slip by and get through by DSA deserves those seats better than every of the 4-5 who were misplaced due to them?
Reply : Whether they deserve or not is for the school to decide.
Have these mainstreamers worked less hard in your opinion simply because they are not GEPpers? Reply : It depend.
Are we not saying each and every child in the system is equally important and a meritocracy system? Why do you think it is ok for this handful to be given such privilege? Also, I am curious why you think having this DSA preference is only a DSA preference. Isn't that what so many 12 years old give up their childhood for? Isn't that what many parents pay thousands and thousands in tuition for? Why is this 'just'? Would you say the same if your child did not qualify for GEP?
Reply : I think all these questions have deviated too far away from what I have asked. I ask because I am curious and interested to know what other benefits or privileges that GEP kids besides DSA,smaller ratio & EESIS which is my very 1st question?

[comfy]

2ppaamm:

comfy:

[quote=\"2ppaamm\"]
Yes, do you think a child weaker academically than your child should have a smaller class than your child, and why or why not?

A conditional yes. If the teacher is able/willing to teach and identify the weakness of the kid. If the kid wants to improve. Have I answer your questoin? Pardon me, have to read your post a few times, getting old.

Then, my next question is, why do you think the GEPpers' classes are smaller, given that ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL, the weaker students should have a smaller student-teacher ratio? Why is giving smaller classes to gifted children justifiable.[/quote]What are ALL THINGS BEING EQUAL means?

[ruohoo97]

就是怕他们看不懂而装懂。