Opinions of the Primary School Registration System

[jheng]

Lizzie:

It's next to impossible too to distinguish what' s the fraudulent from the bona fide...

This will also means that those Bukit Timah schools will only be reserved for the rich only, common folks can only dream on. The current P2A & P2B allows common folks to have a chance in BT school.......

[gvyong]

MR06:

gvyong:

[quote=\"SAHM_TAN\"]I don't think there's any real problem with registration system. The push for change is primary becos parents are not confident in all the schools. If MOE can resolve this confidence issue, registration will be a less stressful process.

I have confidence in all schools that are:

1) not named after the neighborhood/location
2) have a clear set of values, traditions n support of alumni
3) able to build upon n proud of its history
4) are able to offer programs for all levels, n not just cater to the gifted, well to do or mainstream( in the guise of 'holistic' education)
5) not built to be the phase 2c supp sch of the area

:rotflmao: Do you have confidence in Bukit Panjang Pri Sch? :evil:[/quote]I predict in 20-30 years time, due to falling enrollment from changing demographics as Bukit Panjang estate ages, BPPS will be absorbed & merged into the new Holland-Bukit Timah GRC primary school! :evil:

Meanwhile, St XYZ primary school moves from town to a new HDB estate and becomes...St XYZ primary school

[Lizzie]

jheng:

This will also means that those Bukit Timah schools will only be reserved for the rich only, common folks can only dream on. The current P2A & P2B allows common folks to have a chance in BT school.......

Not true.

On the contrary, by tightening this process , you will allow the less well off to even have a \"fighting chance\" at the balloting table.

The reason is this:

Renting in BT places don't come cheap either , so those currently in P2A (who have benefited from earlier siblings who got in thru rental) are rather well off since they are able to afford 5 k rental pm.

If this process is tightened , then this will leave more spaces for Phase 2C, open to public.

Since RGPS and NGPS are of lower density area , it may even reach a wider distance of potential children beyond the \"traditional\" 1 km (very seldom those staying beyond 1 km, can ever sniff a chance of applying since balloting within 1 km is already rather fierce).

In fact, given these really low residential density of these popular schools, there may even be a possible chance for those staying beyond 2km, 3km (heartlands like holland) or even more to have chance to ve a foot in the door.

As reported in the papers, there is an unhealthy number already dominating Phase 2A.

Investigation should be looked into the breakdown and profile of who these applicants are in Phase 2 A - Alumni? Siblings (got in via merit of distance?

If so, then the subsequent siblings who apply under Phase 2A must continue to stay within the 1/2km distance , otherwise Phase 2C is just a loophole to be abused by the \"rich\" as in your words so decribed .)

On another note, by doing this too, you are keeping the number of those who qualify under Phase 2A (specifically under Alumni status) constant as well . Since if only those who live within the vicinity can apply, it 's only logical that Phase 2A will clearly only be dominated Alumnus status. (rooting out those siblings status but clearly not within distance based). Besides, how many times can one use the address in District 9,10, 11 to qualify for Phase 2 C ? Only once perhaps , since the subsequent children/grandchildren , will in the truest sense of the word be applying under Phase 2 A as an alumnus status . This numbers will be kept rather constant instead of now the unhealthy lopsided numbers dominating Phase 2 A (fed by the loophole in Phase 2 C) which seems to be growing bigger?

[janet88]

My former primary school (Swiss Cottage) has closed down…or I would have registered my kids there.

Find out more about the primary school…the culture, whether it is really holistic. This will help you determine if your child can adapt to the environment. Sometimes, that school within walking distance may not be suitable…it’s not all about proximity. Every child is different. Some can work under pressure…but the same pressure applied to another child can lead to him/her crumbling.

[SAHM_TAN]

MR06:

SAHM_TAN:

I don't think there's any real problem with registration system. The push for change is primary becos parents are not confident in all the schools. If MOE can resolve this confidence issue, registration will be a less stressful process.

Nothing to do with confidence....

MOE is touting \"Every School is A Good School\".

The reality is there will always be preferences be it on
1)academic excellence
2)faith-based
3)school history/culture
4)distance
5)location
and the list goes on....

Yes, there will be preferences, it's only human nature, but from what I read and the registration pattern, it's beyond preference.

[sleepy]

janet_lee88:

Sometimes, that school within walking distance may not be suitable...it's not all about proximity. Every child is different.

This is so true!

My kids' 1st primary school was a stone throw away only & with a long list of PVs and fierce balloting each year. Yet I transfer them to a further away school. Other parents think I'm :siao: to give up ' hot seats' & transfer out. Place on my kids on wait list since p1 but stuck on waitlist of that 2nd primary school for another 2 years.

[SAHM_TAN]

gvyong:

SAHM_TAN:

I don't think there's any real problem with registration system. The push for change is primary becos parents are not confident in all the schools. If MOE can resolve this confidence issue, registration will be a less stressful process.

I have confidence in all schools that are:

1) not named after the neighborhood/location
2) have a clear set of values, traditions n support of alumni
3) able to build upon n proud of its history
4) are able to offer programs for all levels, n not just cater to the gifted, well to do or mainstream( in the guise of 'holistic' education)
5) not built to be the phase 2c supp sch of the area

1) From the experiences of terminal 3 and marina bay, you do realise our ministries are not very good at naming places, buildings right?

2) All schools have their sets of values. I'm a weird parent, I'm the one who impose values on my kids. My kids are with me the moment they are born, I'm not waiting for MOE. Values and morals are not related to educational level. If the school has positive impact, it's a bonus. Moral education is part of all schools' curriculum, so the std should be there I guess. Of course recent news about our educators are a bit depressing. I can only hope I'm doing a good enough job on my kids in this area. A child must be able to judge what's right and wrong before going to school.

3) History is past. It can help to bring about a sense of belonging and a common memory but it does not define you.

4) My neighbourhood school have a list of programmes. So do other neighbourhood schools that I know. They have rather interesting ones. Take some time to visit their websites.

5) I didn't know MOE build schools for P2CS.

I'm just glad that my dd1 does not know about which schools are best or top or whatever. She's just happy to be in her school and willing to learn from her teachers. I'm glad kids at this age P1, don't feel that they are limited by the schools that they are in.

[DesertWind]

gvyong:

SAHM_TAN:

I don't think there's any real problem with registration system. The push for change is primary becos parents are not confident in all the schools. If MOE can resolve this confidence issue, registration will be a less stressful process.

I have confidence in all schools that are:

1) not named after the neighborhood/location
2) have a clear set of values, traditions n support of alumni
3) able to build upon n proud of its history
4) are able to offer programs for all levels, n not just cater to the gifted, well to do or mainstream( in the guise of 'holistic' education)
5) not built to be the phase 2c supp sch of the area

Agree!

Why not get all those ultra-popular schools to \"adopt\" and rename Phua Chu Kang North/South/East West to become their branches and then implement their management and software thereby even out the standards and manage the demand evenly throughout the island?

[DesertWind]

janet_lee88:

My former primary school (Swiss Cottage) has closed down...or I would have registered my kids there.

Find out more about the primary school...the culture, whether it is really holistic. This will help you determine if your child can adapt to the environment. Sometimes, that school within walking distance may not be suitable...it's not all about proximity. Every child is different. Some can work under pressure...but the same pressure applied to another child can lead to him/her crumbling.

Agree Janet! Distance is not the No. 1 consideration at all. This I have already learned a painful lesson from Pre-Nursery level when I \"threw\" my boy into the nearest CCC which did not work well.

[janet88]

sleepy:

janet_lee88:

Sometimes, that school within walking distance may not be suitable...it's not all about proximity. Every child is different.

This is so true!

My kids' 1st primary school was a stone throw away only & with a long list of PVs and fierce balloting each year. Yet I transfer them to a further away school. Other parents think I'm :siao: to give up ' hot seats' & transfer out.

I stay walking distance to Pei Hwa. Bought my flat here bcos it's close to my parents. My son is at PH. But I realised my daughter's character is diff from my son. As such, we registered her in my former school...yes, slightly further away but the culture and environment suits her. Many also think I am :siao: to do that when son's school is 5 min walking distance away.
As parents, we have to understand our kids' character and personality...it's definitely not a one-size-fits-all.