Is GEP really necessary?

[Dnls_mum]

3Boys:

I did not say we were the best, but neither do I believe our teaching system is in dire need of overhaul. If there is an issue with fairness in our society (and I will grant you that there is), then it needs to be dealt with at the societal level and school is but one small part of that.

I have said before, there is not point giving and iPad to a child who goes home to a family with absentee fathers, or a child who needs to work at the family hawker stall.

3Boys, I agree with you. We have an issue of social mobility. This is a social problem. Not a GEP or No GEP issue. Not an education system issue.

[2ppaamm]

3Boys:

Finnish universities have courses on forestry and fisheries management. Are you saying that folk who pursue those courses are then not being brought up to the best of their abiliities?

No, hehehe and yes, hehehe... don't know how you came to the conclusion that I will come to the conclusion, but I don't have an opinion on this.[quote] Industry is industry, it is agnostic. Should the institutes of a country not pursue courses that are of relevance to that country?[/quote]No view on this. Just pointing out the pros and cons does not mean agree or disagree. I also didn't state my stand and no stand, can't be bothered to take a stand on this, because there are merits and demerits. And I am no government, so I cannot be bothered to agree or disagree. [quote]Well, you have a strange way of putting your point across, if only you understand the intent and it being so open to misinterpretation.[/quote]So do you, and everybody else. Don't read too much into things, point is, I don't have a stand and I was just stating mostly facts, not opinions, and I don't really have a stand on certain issues.

[2ppaamm]

3Boys:

I did not say we were the best, but neither do I believe our teaching system is in dire need of overhaul. If there is an issue with fairness in our society (and I will grant you that there is), then it needs to be dealt with at the societal level and school is but one small part of that.

I have said before, there is not point giving and iPad to a child who goes home to a family with absentee fathers, or a child who needs to work at the family hawker stall.

The education was a more equitable one where I came from, where I had an equal opportunity when my family was poor, but it has evolved for the \"better\", and I don't even want to discuss what this \"better\" is any more because I will be talking in circles.

Of course. There is no point giving a child an iPad unless one can ensure it adds value to his education. As it is today, there's little or adhoc software to teach. Look, beautiful schools, state of the art buildings, wonderful hardware. Why not look into the software (the teachers, the educators, the syllabus, the structure etc) as well? And the part about the family hawker stall? I know exactly how it is like. I was one. In today's educational system, I would have been in the streets, I couldn't even afford an assessment book, thank God we didn't need one.

[3Boys]

2ppaamm:

3Boys:

Finnish universities have courses on forestry and fisheries management. Are you saying that folk who pursue those courses are then not being brought up to the best of their abiliities?

No, hehehe and yes, hehehe... don't know how you came to the conclusion that I will come to the conclusion, but I don't have an opinion on this.[quote] Industry is industry, it is agnostic. Should the institutes of a country not pursue courses that are of relevance to that country?

No view on this. Just pointing out the pros and cons does not mean agree or disagree. I also didn't state my stand and no stand, can't be bothered to take a stand on this, because there are merits and demerits. And I am no government, so I cannot be bothered to agree or disagree. [quote]Well, you have a strange way of putting your point across, if only you understand the intent and it being so open to misinterpretation.[/quote]So do you, and everybody else. Don't read too much into things, point is, I don't have a stand and I was just stating mostly facts, not opinions, and I don't really have a stand on certain issues.[/quote]OK lor, you say no opinion, then no opinion lor....

[2ppaamm]

3Boys:

2ppaamm:

[quote=\"3Boys\"]
Finnish universities have courses on forestry and fisheries management. Are you saying that folk who pursue those courses are then not being brought up to the best of their abiliities?

No, hehehe and yes, hehehe... don't know how you came to the conclusion that I will come to the conclusion, but I don't have an opinion on this.[quote] Industry is industry, it is agnostic. Should the institutes of a country not pursue courses that are of relevance to that country?

No view on this. Just pointing out the pros and cons does not mean agree or disagree. I also didn't state my stand and no stand, can't be bothered to take a stand on this, because there are merits and demerits. And I am no government, so I cannot be bothered to agree or disagree. [quote]Well, you have a strange way of putting your point across, if only you understand the intent and it being so open to misinterpretation.[/quote]So do you, and everybody else. Don't read too much into things, point is, I don't have a stand and I was just stating mostly facts, not opinions, and I don't really have a stand on certain issues.[/quote]OK lor, you say no opinion, then no opinion lor....[/quote]Sorry to disappoint, sometimes, more than one model can work, as long as we know what we are working towards. The government has its views, and it is ok, as long as they carry whatever they have in mind through, and this policy has worked to a large extent. But when they fail or no results, then... they either change or they are changed. Unless some policies are so obviously wrong or have not worked for years, why oppose?

Hehehe... setting up schools to support the IR industries is their prerogative, I also understand they need to create jobs and I understand when old man said, \"All pockets will jingle\", but I believe there are other kinds of jobs that can be created, and the resources into those institutes could have been invested into something else, and other kinds of schools. I agree there is limited resources in the country. But this is all water under the bridge, we cannot demolish those IRs, can we? So, do we have a choice but to train enough workers to work there? No. So pragmatically, I also participated in training these folks to work there. Their wish was my command.

[Chenonceau]

I've never quite forgiven this governmentt for bringing in the casinos despite gathering feedback... hearing people out... and then still going right ahead. I suppose it's gonna do it again in the new Dialogue on National Values... and what we want Singapore to become.


Talk... talk... talk... and then... oh well... WE think this is best... WE know best... WE are smart, gifted, scholars, had perfect grades and therefore also perfect thinking (YOU... where were YOU when I collected my perfect A level cert and served as President of my JC's student council... and lounged around the fireplace at Cambridge?). So... thank you for giving your 2 cents, I will now tell you that THIS is what we will do... you people of inferior intellect.

And what they do will be exactly what they wanted to do BEFORE all the National Dialogue. :rotflmao: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

[Chenonceau]

Dnls_mum:

2ppaamm:

Mixing is always better ... once a group is branded, it is hard to remove that label, in fact, sometimes, some PG/EG deliberately get labeled 2E, so that people will pity them on the disability part.

Agree Agree. That's why when my boy went to GEP, I insisted that he take up CCA that is not academically linked! No Comp Science, Robotic or even Math Olympiad. I made him join scouts! He was the only GEPer in Scouts! :rotflmao: I want him to mix with others and enjoy outdoor group activities. It worked! He is now in IP school (NJC) but not GEP school and has no problem mixing with his other classmates. He is doing well in school and his teacher did notice that he is very fast with maths and always had alternative solutions and so asked us and was not surprise when we confirmed he came from GEP. He now does accelerated maths which is good for him as he was already showing signs of being bored with the general math curriculum. His teacher has asked him to be a peer tutor, and he has our blessings to share his knowledge with his classmates. Again, his CCA now is Canoeing and not in some acedamically linked CCA, and he is enjoying it and mixing well with all regardless of academic strength.

So frankly, we can make the best of the situation and it is up to us parents to decide how we want our child to grow up

Pam and Dnls_mum... :goodpost: :goodpost:

[cherryc]

Dnls_mum:

3Boys:

I did not say we were the best, but neither do I believe our teaching system is in dire need of overhaul. If there is an issue with fairness in our society (and I will grant you that there is), then it needs to be dealt with at the societal level and school is but one small part of that.

I have said before, there is not point giving and iPad to a child who goes home to a family with absentee fathers, or a child who needs to work at the family hawker stall.

3Boys, I agree with you. We have an issue of social mobility. This is a social problem. Not a GEP or No GEP issue. Not an education system issue.

Education system will solve or prevent more social problems in future. Education system will shape our future. Everything is interlinked.

I value GEP and our education system very much as I want the best brains to lead our country in future and compete with the FTs. For that to happen, I wish the deserving ones are selected and correctly nurtured with empathy and values and world class knowledge or skills . I care alot about social mobility because I don't wish the weaker ones in future to have to compete with the FWs or getting handouts. In addition to the fact that I benefited from it and I owe it to the next poor but smart student to voice it out.

And I hope the middle 2%-90% band of students have their potentials fully developed without all the tuitions and unnecessary stress due to teacher-student ratios, insufficient materials, etc.

As Ponyo said it well, \"We are a small little red city state. A life left undeveloped to its fullest potential is one too many already…\". Also we don't have so much resources, tax money etc to to help the poor, to develop the talents (foreign ones also we need to develop) so if we can constantly improve our systems, I don't see why we can't go for it.

One and a half year ago, I would rather enjoy my Saturday going shopping and get my deserved rest then sit down in front of a computer and write out my concerns. Why ? because I have seen few social problems that worry me now. I am not against abolishing any system because it has served us well thus far. What I hope is accountability, more transparency, more care, more prudent policy, etc. And I am looking forward to tomorrow's speeches and hopefully actions.

[buds]

Dnls_mum... :salute:


You da mom! http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php

Sorry, I giggled at the scouts bit. :oops:

Niwaes, canoeing will give sonny great physique and a nice tan..
Good preps for NS too. I was into canoeing for awhile in my teens
and as a young adult later on, apart from swimming for a small club. As a girl, not too nice tho cos I had problem fitting into pretty petite dresses with my broad shoulders. :politebleah: But the practices and days outside gave good stamina and allowed me to remain active, to stay healthy. Hope you guys donch go become FT somewhere else, as we sure need all rounders like your son in future government. (If he decides to be one, I vote yes. :D) I am seeing him as .... The kind of leaders who walk the ground and knows the ground not just the kind who talks all around in a merry go round.

You must be so proud of your boys. I would love to read more from you, so do share more when you have the time to. Have a great weekend! :celebrate:

[Lilac66]

cherryc:

Dnls_mum:

[quote=\"3Boys\"]

I did not say we were the best, but neither do I believe our teaching system is in dire need of overhaul. If there is an issue with fairness in our society (and I will grant you that there is), then it needs to be dealt with at the societal level and school is but one small part of that.

I have said before, there is not point giving and iPad to a child who goes home to a family with absentee fathers, or a child who needs to work at the family hawker stall.

3Boys, I agree with you. We have an issue of social mobility. This is a social problem. Not a GEP or No GEP issue. Not an education system issue.

Education system will solve or prevent more social problems in future. Education system will shape our future. Everything is interlinked.

I value GEP and our education system very much as I want the best brains to lead our country in future and compete with the FTs. For that to happen, I wish the deserving ones are selected and correctly nurtured with empathy and values and world class knowledge or skills . I care alot about social mobility because I don't wish the weaker ones in future to have to compete with the FWs or getting handouts. In addition to the fact that I benefited from it and I owe it to the next poor but smart student to voice it out.

And I hope the middle 2%-90% band of students have their potentials fully developed without all the tuitions and unnecessary stress due to teacher-student ratios, insufficient materials, etc.

As Ponyo said it well, \"We are a small little red city state. A life left undeveloped to its fullest potential is one too many already…\". Also we don't have so much resources, tax money etc to to help the poor, to develop the talents (foreign ones also we need to develop) so if we can constantly improve our systems, I don't see why we can't go for it.

One and a half year ago, I would rather enjoy my Saturday going shopping and get my deserved rest then sit down on a computer and write out my concerns. Why ? because I have seen few social problems that worry me now. I am not against abolishing any system because it has served us well thus far. What I hope is accountability, more transparency, more care, more prudent policy, etc. And I am looking forward to tomorrow's speeches and hopefully actions.[/quote]
Hi cherryc, good to see you here.

:goodpost:

I'm also looking forward to the speech tomorrow to know if our govt HAS indeed been listening ....