PM Says new Stat Board to oversee pre-school education

[Imami]

Lilac66:

Imami:

[quote=\"Lilac66\"]The whole approach of leveling the field for preschool education with more help for the disadvantaged families is laudable. :rahrah:

Hopefully his advice not to send 4 , 5 year old kids for tuition will not fall on deaf ears.

I think it will take a while to hear what is said. But the mind will take an even longer while to process and decide...

I agree we probably won't see much change any time soon, but it's a step in the right direction, esp when it was brought up specifically by our PM to give our children their childhood. [/quote]Yes :celebrate:

[3Boys]

rinoa538:

PM Lee says, let your children have their childhood.


How to? The education system took away their childhood!
Take a look at Primary 1 textbook, no wonder parents are preparing kids before entering P1.

Some teaching in pre-school is useful preparation, but one does not need tuition or double session kindy's to manage. I have 3 kids, and all they do is 3 hours of preschool. They all enjoyed/enjoying the preschool, can't see how anyone can say that the education system has taken away their childhood. All down to parent's choices, in my view.

[Imami]

Musings:

rinoa538:

PM Lee says, let your children have their childhood.


How to? The education system took away their childhood!
Take a look at Primary 1 textbook, no wonder parents are preparing kids before entering P1.

I don't agree with this. My first son is in P1 and the syllabus is v manageable. In fact on hindsight almost all preschool syllabus more than cover P1 work. in fact I just complain to my second son's preschool - which my elder son also attended that it is ridiculous to expect N2 kids to master addition within 20 when this is exactly what my older son is doing in first semester P1. I was told I was the oddball because all the parents want their kids to 'accelerate' and learn all these stuff in the name of preparation for P1. Such attitudes are what is taking away our children's childhood. I don't blame the preschool because they are responding to demands of parents.

For parents whose kids are not yet in primary school, it is easy to be swayed by hearsay about the many things kids need to know by P1 and go into an overdrive. It is not necessary. If the kids are keen on learning, by all means accelerate and give them more advanced stuff but it is not true P1 syllabus is that demanding. Now I know P1 is not the monster people make it out to be and I am taking it easy for second son - go with his interest and give him stuff when he is ready to learn. I do not want my son to look back and only recall his preschool years to be filled with endless classes and worksheets.

Thank you musings. To hear this from someone who has walk the path is very comforting. I am one of those parents who have been \"frightened\" by what other people said. Yes, I am concerned by the demand (if any) of pri 1 but I manage control myself (not to go into over drive mode) and take the cue from my child instead.

If he is cool about learning more advance stuff, fine and I am cool too. But if he shows signs resistance/stress, i will back off/feedback to the teachers.

[Melodies]

As usual, parents' fault lo... 2 kindys for pri-primary level, I do agree. Give your child a life!


I think he seriously think that there is no problems with primary level. Just imperfect but parent's fault to have more tuition! Just wonder why no problems when the whole nation are turning to Tuition huh? if only 10-20%, I agreed it's parents' kaisuism but if >60%, then maybe something wrong, right?

Can we level the field for formal education system?

Daddy

PM Lee ask u all don't send kids to 2 kindys + tuitions hor...
:salute:

[HVR]

It’s time to contribute your ideas now. If anyone has useful suggestions, not just for education but all the national issues, do get involved with the national dialougue. It’s easy to criticize but if we really care and we think we can help, please do our part. You can sense the sincerity and genuine concerns throughout PM’s speech.

[3Boys]

Imami:

Musings:

[quote=\"rinoa538\"]PM Lee says, let your children have their childhood.


How to? The education system took away their childhood!
Take a look at Primary 1 textbook, no wonder parents are preparing kids before entering P1.

I don't agree with this. My first son is in P1 and the syllabus is v manageable. In fact on hindsight almost all preschool syllabus more than cover P1 work. in fact I just complain to my second son's preschool - which my elder son also attended that it is ridiculous to expect N2 kids to master addition within 20 when this is exactly what my older son is doing in first semester P1. I was told I was the oddball because all the parents want their kids to 'accelerate' and learn all these stuff in the name of preparation for P1. Such attitudes are what is taking away our children's childhood. I don't blame the preschool because they are responding to demands of parents.

For parents whose kids are not yet in primary school, it is easy to be swayed by hearsay about the many things kids need to know by P1 and go into an overdrive. It is not necessary. If the kids are keen on learning, by all means accelerate and give them more advanced stuff but it is not true P1 syllabus is that demanding. Now I know P1 is not the monster people make it out to be and I am taking it easy for second son - go with his interest and give him stuff when he is ready to learn. I do not want my son to look back and only recall his preschool years to be filled with endless classes and worksheets.

Thank you musings. To hear this from someone who has walk the path is very comforting. I am one of those parents who have been \"frightened\" by what other people said. Yes, I am concerned by the demand (if any) of pri 1 but I manage control myself (not to go into over drive mode) and take the cue from my child instead.

If he is cool about learning more advance stuff, fine and I am cool too. But if he shows signs resistance/stress, i will back off/feedback to the teachers.[/quote]My kids never felt stretched in preschool. There is definitely some basic literacy and numeracy, but nothing that can't be covered in a few hours a week. Still play mostly though. The only think I'd think my need a bit of boost if one were worried would be in MT. My elder two are in P-school now and doing just fine.

[HVR]

Who will be the third pre-school anchored operator? Will it from the private sector?

[bebe]

Melodies:

As usual, parents' fault lo... 2 kindys for pri-primary level, I do agree. Give your child a life!


I think he seriously think that there is no problems with primary level. Just imperfect but parent's fault to have more tuition! Just wonder why no problems when the whole nation are turning to Tuition huh? if only 10-20%, I agreed it's parents' kaisuism but if >60%, then maybe something wrong, right?

Can we level the field for formal education system?

Daddy

PM Lee ask u all don't send kids to 2 kindys + tuitions hor...
:salute:

Agreed with your posting..dun forget our kids' ability are \"measured\" and\"judged\" mainly based on the performance of those >60%..and not those 10%-20%..if my kids do not do well compared those >60%, she is slow and she needs help..she needs tuition!!

[Apelove]

Hi, just my two cents worth…


I think this boils down to the vast disparity between the middle to higher end preschools vs the lower or more standard preschools. In fact, those who can afford to complain that the preschool is over teaching, I think you are very lucky. Do note that children who are well equipped early will suffer less in pri 1. I am very happy that LHL would be doing something about the preschool standard.

I have witnessed my own nephews who are currently in a ‘lower range’ fee structure childcare centre. One of them will be entering pri 1 next year but is unable to even read a standard Peter&Jane reader 2A, much less to say blend phonics properly.
The younger sibling is a year younger and attending a standard $90 per month pcf. He is currently in k1 but unable to sound phonics, nor recognize any words without the picture appearing beside it.
With such basics not well established in the child, they are very ill equipped to enter pri 1. I would not even dare to think about how they might cope in school. To these children, pri 1 would be extremely demanding. It is extremely shocking that the lower range childcare/preschool standard can be so lacking!

[Pen88n]

I think it depends on which level you are coming in from. Those parents of this forum are generally well-educated and able to guide their kids by cultivating reading, learning habits at home and enriching their experiences. However, there are some lowly educated parents out there who are unable to guide, or teach their kids. These are the kids who attend the lower end preschool, and are inadequately prepared for P1. They also have no external party (tutor / tuition centre) to turn to should they have problems with school work etc. These are the ones who really deserve the government’s attention and intervention to ensure they are given the opportunity through levelling the playing field for preschool.