MOE Relooking P1 registration - Too much priority to alumni

[ChiefKiasu]

My 2 cents on this issue: It is probably more worthwhile spending our time ensuring that our children are prepared for whatever school that they are registered in, and ensure that they have a balanced study and sports curriculum throughout Primary school. Most parents eventually come to the sobering realisation that registering their children in high-demand schools with strong alumni was only the start of 6 years of sleepless nights worrying whether their children can make the cut.

[corneyAmber]

ChiefKiasu:

My 2 cents on this issue: It is probably more worthwhile spending our time ensuring that our children are prepared for whatever school that they are registered in, and ensure that they have a balanced study and sports curriculum throughout Primary school. Most parents eventually come to the sobering realisation that registering their children in high-demand schools with strong alumni was only the start of 6 years of sleepless nights worrying whether their children can make the cut.

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Likewise for those staying within 1km will also come to the same realisation that a school-fit for the child is more important than distance alone. So no point moving nearby to a school or only consider schools based on proximity alone. There should be several other factors involved. \"Think child unique factors\" more important.

[dorisp]

ksi:

Perhaps it is useful to know what is the average % that constitutes to Phase 2A&B to warrant so much attention. From my own experience, the % is pretty small so perhaps that is why I am not seeing so much issue because the alumni is not taking up a lot of vacancies.

I think many realised the discussion and contribution on the issue here is based on what is \"right or wrong\", not based on \"big or small\".

[dorisp]

There's an article in yesterday's (19 Aug'12) The Sunday Times (pg 33) by Toh Yong Chuan titled \"Take the pain out of Primary 1 registration. Some people do not deserve to be ahead of the queue; let's fix this anxiety-ridden system\"


It is a good read and relevant to this topic. Wonder if anyone has link so can share it here.

[Imami]

dorisp:

DesertWind:

There is nothing wrong with alumni priority. The problem is people trying to get into other people's popular alumni. I am sure there are plenty of schools within reasonable distance of such \"protesters\". But no, they don't want, just want to get into the hot school which \"happen\" to be right at their door step.


So I don't buy the argument of scrapping the alumni priority especially for those schools which has built up a strong reputation precisely due to the strength of its alumni.

For all the arguments about < 1 km, if the school is not reputed, I think give them also don't want. So I am not convinced.

Give you my own example. I stay within a stone throw from St. Nicks. If I have a girl, would I call for a scrap to all the priorities so that my girl can go to St. Nicks? And then argue \"shamelessly\" that it is all for the good of my girl since it is so near?

Within 1 km of my place, actually there are 2 other primary schools ie. AMK Primary and Mayflower Primary. Both within very reasonable if not walking distance. No stress if I were to register at these primary schools - plenty of vacancies at all phases!

So why should I argue and insist on going to St. Nicks and calling for scrapping and capping those priorities alumni etc.?

Sorry, I could not do it.

So I don't buy the argument for those advocating distance priority over alumni priorities. Go to your own alumni, nobody will quarrel with you about it.

:scared:

:goodpost: just one expression summarizes it all. :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[Precious2.012911lee]

Anyway, I still feel at the best interest of everyone, our fellow Singaporean, after phase 1, just split 50%-50% between the 2 remaining groups - with connection and without. These are public schools anyway. All tax payers deserve a place. As long as you are holding a pink IC, you have every right. There is no such thing as snatching each other rice bowl. Think our PRs and foreigner friends must be laughing their heads off Liao.

[Imami]

Precious2.lee:

Anyway, I still feel at the best interest of everyone, our fellow Singaporean, after phase 1, just split 50%-50% between the 2 remaining groups - with connection and without. These are public schools anyway. All tax payers deserve a place. As long as you are holding a pink IC, you have every right. There is no such thing as snatching each other rice bowl. Think our PRs and foreigner friends must be laughing their heads off Liao.

Like that Non tax payers how? :rotflmao: ok ok, joking. I understand what you mean.

[alng]

dorisp:

I think many realised the discussion and contribution on the issue here is based on what is \"right or wrong\", not based on \"big or small\".

But the whole issue on phase 2A and phase 2B priorities is not \"right or wrong\" either. If it is so wrong, how can it be there for so long. If it is so wrong, why are the policy makers hesitating in making it right?

So it is obviously not a straight forward \"right or wrong\" issue. It appears now that what is \"right\" to one group of stakeholders is \"not so right\" to another group of stakeholders.

[alng]

Precious2.lee:

Anyway, I still feel at the best interest of everyone, our fellow Singaporean, after phase 1, just split 50%-50% between the 2 remaining groups - with connection and without. These are public schools anyway. All tax payers deserve a place. As long as you are holding a pink IC, you have every right. There is no such thing as snatching each other rice bowl. Think our PRs and foreigner friends must be laughing their heads off Liao.

It is a fact that MOE put in the same resources in every primary schools. But some schools have more resources from their other stakeholders like alumni, clan, churches etc. These extra resources that some schools get made them able to do more and thus become more popular.

[Precious2.012911lee]

alng:

It is a fact that MOE put in the same resources in every primary schools. But some schools have more resources from their other stakeholders like alumni, clan, churches etc. These extra resources that some schools get made them able to do more and thus become more popular.

That's why only active alumni, clans, churches should be given priority. This group of people is minority. Even if they get balloted out, i am sure if they go and appeal, they have higher chance of getting a place (since they have made SIGNIFICANT difference to the school and without them, the school will not be like today etc ) However, The issue is most are sleeping members.