Is GEP really necessary?

[Mychildren]

Ya, I also started working (first job) during my school holidays but one year older that is 15 as salesgirl, 16 as factory worker & fast food crew & tutor so that I can contribute to my family earnings & have my own pocket $$.


Its actually taught me a lot. So I think vacation job or part time job is good to train up a kid. So they know that $$ don't come easy & able to take hardship.



:offtopic:

[Mychildren]

Chenonceau:

ruohoo97:

DD is in swimming. They love school simply because of sports and friends there. I do have to work with them in various subjects because they learn so little at school. Normally, we finish one year's work in one of long holidays(Jun or Dec).

This is what we do too.

Oh, need to learn from u all here. I only teach half a year work during the school holidays.

:offtopic: again.

[2ppaamm]

Mychildren:

Chenonceau:

This is what we do too.

Oh, need to learn from u all here. I only teach half a year work during the school holidays.

:offtopic: again.

:slapshead: I don't even know how much I teach... I take a series of books, mark down the sequence to be covered, do 5 pages a day, if not going on in terms of school level also don't know...I will take note, be more alert and pay more attention next time.

[metz]

2ppaamm:

Mychildren:

[quote=\"Chenonceau\"]
This is what we do too.

Oh, need to learn from u all here. I only teach half a year work during the school holidays.

:offtopic: again.

:slapshead: I don't even know how much I teach... I take a series of books, mark down the sequence to be covered, do 5 pages a day, if not going on in terms of school level also don't know...I will take note, be more alert and pay more attention next time.[/quote]No worries, mommies. You parents are still better than me. I am only starting to take stock of the situation.

[2ppaamm]

Mychildren:

Ya, I also started working (first job) during my school holidays but one year older that is 15 as salesgirl, 16 as factory worker & fast food crew & tutor so that I can contribute to my family earnings & have my own pocket $$.


Its actually taught me a lot. So I think vacation job or part time job is good to train up a kid. So they know that $$ don't come easy & able to take hardship.



:offtopic:

:hi5:

[2ppaamm]

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120830-0000067/Spread-young-talent-among-schools


We should spread talents, including the gifted. But you know, what he says is so incredibly hard to achieve given the current education streaming system, where kids are already taught from young to want to be grouped only with their 'kind'.

[Dnls_mum]

2ppaamm:

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120830-0000067/Spread-young-talent-among-schools
We should spread talents, including the gifted. But you know, what he says is so incredibly hard to achieve given the current education streaming system, where kids are already taught from young to want to be grouped only with their 'kind'.

Wanting to spread talent sounds good in theory. But not always so in practice. When the govt decided many years ago that they cannot just admit the top brains to NUS Med school, as other disciplines need the bright one too, they decided to implement an interview system. These interviewers are of course the med sch lecturers and practicing doctors. In reality most who get into med sch since are coincidentally predominantly from families with doctors background. A lot of bright aspiring teens slog at their school work and I know of a current case who scored 7 As for his A levels and still don't get into med school. The boy is devastated. I know of many past cases as well. Theory is always good. The devil is in the implementation and details.

An objective way of deciding which child goes where is required. It is always dangerous to leave it to subjectivity. Then someone is playing God which is not ideal. On what basis should a child who perform academically good not be allowed his first choice. To this child it will never be fair even if it means for the greater good of spreading talent.

[2ppaamm]

Dnls_mum:

Wanting to spread talent sounds good in theory. But not always so in practice. When the govt decided many years ago that they cannot just admit the top brains to NUS Med school, as other disciplines need the bright one too, they decided to implement an interview system. These interviewers are of course the med sch lecturers and practicing doctors. In reality most who get into med sch since are coincidentally predominantly from families with doctors background. A lot of bright aspiring teens slog at their school work and I know of a current case who scored 7 As for his A levels and still don't get into med school. The boy is devastated. I know of many past cases as well. Theory is always good. The devil is in the implementation and details.

An objective way of deciding which child goes where is required. It is always dangerous to leave it to subjectivity. Then someone is playing God which is not ideal. On what basis should a child who perform academically good not be allowed his first choice. To this child it will never be fair even if it means for the greater good of spreading talent.

I have to agree with you that this is only good in theory, especially at the tertiary level, where kids have already decided where they want to go to.
Speaking of med school. What is the criteria for an interview, is that ever made known to the applicants? I have seen and counseled a few broken hearted cases as well. I guess like-poles attract. Lecturers look for people they want to teach, not necessarily those who have better results. Not sure if children of doctors have already been exposed to the trade and that's why they can perform better at the interviews?

[verykiasu2010]

Dnls_mum:

2ppaamm:

http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC120830-0000067/Spread-young-talent-among-schools
We should spread talents, including the gifted. But you know, what he says is so incredibly hard to achieve given the current education streaming system, where kids are already taught from young to want to be grouped only with their 'kind'.

Wanting to spread talent sounds good in theory. But not always so in practice. When the govt decided many years ago that they cannot just admit the top brains to NUS Med school, as other disciplines need the bright one too, they decided to implement an interview system. These interviewers are of course the med sch lecturers and practicing doctors. In reality most who get into med sch since are coincidentally predominantly from families with doctors background. A lot of bright aspiring teens slog at their school work and I know of a current case who scored 7 As for his A levels and still don't get into med school. The boy is devastated. I know of many past cases as well. Theory is always good. The devil is in the implementation and details.

An objective way of deciding which child goes where is required. It is always dangerous to leave it to subjectivity. Then someone is playing God which is not ideal. On what basis should a child who perform academically good not be allowed his first choice. To this child it will never be fair even if it means for the greater good of spreading talent.

interview for med school entry is not unique to SG. it is also widely practiced in UK, and the A level schools even have prep course to tackle med school interview and invite med school prof to give talks to potential applicants...and yes the interview will decide the candidate. Reason for SG students going to UK to do A level then med school is because of the interview prep in addition to grades, more vacancies etc. An A level student from SG applying to UK med school stand a lower chance because of the interview setback

[2ppaamm]

Not sure about medical school, but when we interview for students in other faculties, it is not the results that matter, just like in a job interview, we don't go for results either. The administration determines what is 'good enough', which is not told to us, and then everybody else is put on equal standing while we interview them. So, a child with an extra 'A' does not have an edge over another with less. (Another reason why I said in Singapore, maximizing the number of A's is 'chasing after the wind...'


There are so many qualities that can be picked up in an interview, his social skills, his thinking (I certainly don't like conceited or selfish candidates) skills, his interpersonal skills, his ability to convey his thoughts. Such are observed. Certainly, when we pick, we look for students who can be successful in the course. As for the UK selection, I am sure someone who is already in the country for some time will have an advantage over someone who is totally fresh and 'green'. There are social norms not familiar to the latter, and sometimes, lingo.

I do support the interview process, but it is an expensive one for the university as well, because it involves personnel, time and administrative work. So, picking just results is easy, and probably makes things easier for everyone, but it is such an expensive process to train doctors, lawyers, accountants and psychologists, etc, the universities want to be doubly sure. There will be some unfairness, as in everything, but I guess this is what most universities deem fit. In some medical entrance exams, they even set situation questions. I have a friend's son who did not get through not because of results, interview or knowledge in medical field, but because he is not a good communicator, and they picked that up from his medical entrance paper. Such is life... So, for those who think that EQ and communication skills are not important, then good luck to you! I know at least this is what most lecturers will look for.