Is GEP really necessary?
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2ppaamm:
Just had a lunch with one mother who told me a \"horrible\" story about a student from one of TOP schools here. This student was DSAed into the school, but for some reason, she was not copying well, by the time of A level, she was barred to take A level as school student, but registered as private candidate, if she passed A level, she could use her school name, if not she would not be allowed even use school name in her reportcard.
Isn't this already happening with the current DSA programs? A child having a higher COP may not necessarily getting into a school compared to a child with a lower. At least during our times, it was taken for granted whoever did better at PSLE would have a better chance of getting into their schools of choice. Yet, in those days, I remember we were spread more evenly then these days. I didn't even know the difference between RGS and Cedar Girls... We were assured of getting the schools of our CHOICE, not the TOP school. It is no longer the case now, people work hard to get into a particular top school. Yet, while we expect the competition to be constrained to academic levels only, there are now so many anomalies which are at best,ambiguous.
Those who get into a top school may or may not be top scorers in the PSLE, but may be: top x medalists from x, y, and z sport, top x GEPpers who get at least 80+x% in their P4, 5, 6 exams, top x% of PSLE T-score, top x performers in Olympiad, top this, top that from everywhere, the criteria has changed for them.
When there is a sport competition, those top medalist please go and get honours for the school, ditto for all the different competitions, because the school has to be 'balanced' (but not necessarily the children), and then if they don't do well academically and hence might affect the school's 'A' levels results, they are asked to take 'O' levels as a private candidates and then, please leave the school? Hm... so much for spreading, so much for building balanced schools that excel in everything. At the expense of the child? Of course, though I have a problem of agreeing, I do see merits in doing so, we are teaching the child that when he is no more of an utility, then the consequence is dire - cruel but reality of life. Treasure every lesson, I guess. :roll:
.
:scared:
Very cruel reality indeed! -
ruohoo97:
Yes, cruel reality. It has been happening for years and years, and always under wraps... what are we doing to the next generation? :nailbite: What values are we imparting them? Let's not create 上等社会下等人。
Just had a lunch with one mother who told me a \"horrible\" story about a student from one of TOP schools here. This student was DSAed into the school, but for some reason, she was not copying well, by the time of A level, she was barred to take A level as school student, but registered as private candidate, if she passed A level, she could use her school name, if not she would not be allowed even use school name in her reportcard.2ppaamm:
Isn't this already happening with the current DSA programs? A child having a higher COP may not necessarily getting into a school compared to a child with a lower. At least during our times, it was taken for granted whoever did better at PSLE would have a better chance of getting into their schools of choice. Yet, in those days, I remember we were spread more evenly then these days. I didn't even know the difference between RGS and Cedar Girls... We were assured of getting the schools of our CHOICE, not the TOP school. It is no longer the case now, people work hard to get into a particular top school. Yet, while we expect the competition to be constrained to academic levels only, there are now so many anomalies which are at best,ambiguous.
Those who get into a top school may or may not be top scorers in the PSLE, but may be: top x medalists from x, y, and z sport, top x GEPpers who get at least 80+x% in their P4, 5, 6 exams, top x% of PSLE T-score, top x performers in Olympiad, top this, top that from everywhere, the criteria has changed for them.
When there is a sport competition, those top medalist please go and get honours for the school, ditto for all the different competitions, because the school has to be 'balanced' (but not necessarily the children), and then if they don't do well academically and hence might affect the school's 'A' levels results, they are asked to take 'O' levels as a private candidates and then, please leave the school? Hm... so much for spreading, so much for building balanced schools that excel in everything. At the expense of the child? Of course, though I have a problem of agreeing, I do see merits in doing so, we are teaching the child that when he is no more of an utility, then the consequence is dire - cruel but reality of life. Treasure every lesson, I guess. :roll:
.
:scared:
Very cruel reality indeed! -
ruohoo97:
I think you would do all of us here a great service if you can name the school. it is not under any official secret act, so please name the school. much appreciated
Just had a lunch with one mother who told me a \"horrible\" story about a student from one of TOP schools here. This student was DSAed into the school, but for some reason, she was not copying well, by the time of A level, she was barred to take A level as school student, but registered as private candidate, if she passed A level, she could use her school name, if not she would not be allowed even use school name in her reportcard.2ppaamm:
Isn't this already happening with the current DSA programs? A child having a higher COP may not necessarily getting into a school compared to a child with a lower. At least during our times, it was taken for granted whoever did better at PSLE would have a better chance of getting into their schools of choice. Yet, in those days, I remember we were spread more evenly then these days. I didn't even know the difference between RGS and Cedar Girls... We were assured of getting the schools of our CHOICE, not the TOP school. It is no longer the case now, people work hard to get into a particular top school. Yet, while we expect the competition to be constrained to academic levels only, there are now so many anomalies which are at best,ambiguous.
Those who get into a top school may or may not be top scorers in the PSLE, but may be: top x medalists from x, y, and z sport, top x GEPpers who get at least 80+x% in their P4, 5, 6 exams, top x% of PSLE T-score, top x performers in Olympiad, top this, top that from everywhere, the criteria has changed for them.
When there is a sport competition, those top medalist please go and get honours for the school, ditto for all the different competitions, because the school has to be 'balanced' (but not necessarily the children), and then if they don't do well academically and hence might affect the school's 'A' levels results, they are asked to take 'O' levels as a private candidates and then, please leave the school? Hm... so much for spreading, so much for building balanced schools that excel in everything. At the expense of the child? Of course, though I have a problem of agreeing, I do see merits in doing so, we are teaching the child that when he is no more of an utility, then the consequence is dire - cruel but reality of life. Treasure every lesson, I guess. :roll:
.
:scared:
Very cruel reality indeed! -
2ppaamm:
Yes, cruel reality. It has been happening for years and years, and always under wraps... what are we doing to the next generation? :nailbite: What values are we imparting them? Let's not create 上等社会下等人。[/quote]really ? I did not do well in my A level, I am allowed to use the school's name, and even invited back to teach, and a proud alumni
Just had a lunch with one mother who told me a \"horrible\" story about a student from one of TOP schools here. This student was DSAed into the school, but for some reason, she was not copying well, by the time of A level, she was barred to take A level as school student, but registered as private candidate, if she passed A level, she could use her school name, if not she would not be allowed even use school name in her reportcard.ruohoo97:
[quote=\"2ppaamm\"]
Isn't this already happening with the current DSA programs? A child having a higher COP may not necessarily getting into a school compared to a child with a lower. At least during our times, it was taken for granted whoever did better at PSLE would have a better chance of getting into their schools of choice. Yet, in those days, I remember we were spread more evenly then these days. I didn't even know the difference between RGS and Cedar Girls... We were assured of getting the schools of our CHOICE, not the TOP school. It is no longer the case now, people work hard to get into a particular top school. Yet, while we expect the competition to be constrained to academic levels only, there are now so many anomalies which are at best,ambiguous.
Those who get into a top school may or may not be top scorers in the PSLE, but may be: top x medalists from x, y, and z sport, top x GEPpers who get at least 80+x% in their P4, 5, 6 exams, top x% of PSLE T-score, top x performers in Olympiad, top this, top that from everywhere, the criteria has changed for them.
When there is a sport competition, those top medalist please go and get honours for the school, ditto for all the different competitions, because the school has to be 'balanced' (but not necessarily the children), and then if they don't do well academically and hence might affect the school's 'A' levels results, they are asked to take 'O' levels as a private candidates and then, please leave the school? Hm... so much for spreading, so much for building balanced schools that excel in everything. At the expense of the child? Of course, though I have a problem of agreeing, I do see merits in doing so, we are teaching the child that when he is no more of an utility, then the consequence is dire - cruel but reality of life. Treasure every lesson, I guess. :roll:
.
:scared:
Very cruel reality indeed! -
verykiasu2010:
really ? I did not do well in my A level, I am allowed to use the school's name, and even invited back to teach, and a proud alumni[/quote]You ought to be proud of your school.
Yes, cruel reality. It has been happening for years and years, and always under wraps... what are we doing to the next generation? :nailbite: What values are we imparting them? Let's not create 上等社会下等人。2ppaamm:
[quote=\"ruohoo97\"]
When there is a sport competition, those top medalist please go and get honours for the school, ditto for all the different competitions, because the school has to be 'balanced' (but not necessarily the children), and then if they don't do well academically and hence might affect the school's 'A' levels results, they are asked to take 'O' levels as a private candidates and then, please leave the school? Hm... so much for spreading, so much for building balanced schools that excel in everything. At the expense of the child? Of course, though I have a problem of agreeing, I do see merits in doing so, we are teaching the child that when he is no more of an utility, then the consequence is dire - cruel but reality of life. Treasure every lesson, I guess. :roll:
Just had a lunch with one mother who told me a \"horrible\" story about a student from one of TOP schools here. This student was DSAed into the school, but for some reason, she was not copying well, by the time of A level, she was barred to take A level as school student, but registered as private candidate, if she passed A level, she could use her school name, if not she would not be allowed even use school name in her reportcard.
:scared:
Very cruel reality indeed!
But inviting the alumni back has nothing to lose for the school. The first case I heard of (at that time, I refused to believe) was a tennis player born in 1988 (for those who do not know, even before DSA, schools were already taking in good sports people through back or side or whatever door they call that). In those days, the school was not an IP school and students his age had to do 'O' levels, he was to take it as a private candidate. He subsequently left Singapore and now plays in the US (I am not sure he eventually took his 'O' levels or left without taking as it didn't matter to him, O levels was not recognized where he wanted to go). I know of at least 5 people in the last 5 years, who were kicked out midstream in IP schools and went to do 'O' levels already. You can easily find them, they are mostly famous sports teens who represent Singapore in very prestigious competitions and win medals for the nation. You will read about them taking 'O' levels, so far, I only know of 1 case where she wanted to do so for her own sake, the rest left lost, and some have to repeat their Year 5 so that they will not pull down their school results.
I won't be naming the school
guess why? Unfortunately, I believe, everything has its price, DSA sports has its price as well, ditto for everything else.
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verykiasu2010, I know HCI / DHS has 1 class for taking ‘O’ Level because the schools think that it’d be better for them to take ‘O’ level.
How about RI? Do they have the same ‘O’ level class like HCI/DHS? -
Melodies:
The P of HCI said not an official class, but whatever the group size...they consider their duty to make sure the boys don't drop out. Same for other schoolsverykiasu2010, I know HCI / DHS has 1 class for taking 'O' Level because the schools think that it'd be better for them to take 'O' level.
How about RI? Do they have the same 'O' level class like HCI/DHS?
I heard RI is considering so officially, but hearsay only still....in the past they provide extra coaching for those falling behind...and extensive counselling for the parents to let the kids remain -
http://stopthe-pretence.blogspot.sg/2012/03/truth-behind-my-jc-life.html
above blog is provided by snow crystal in another thread. I thought it interesting to share with you here too. -
ruohoo97:
Actually her results were pretty good, relative to what she got in school.http://stopthe-pretence.blogspot.sg/2012/03/truth-behind-my-jc-life.html
above blog is provided by snow crystal in another thread. I thought it interesting to share with you here too. -
An article written by an ex-Singaporean. Have fun reading! http://thestar.com.my/education/story.asp?file=/2012/9/2/education/11921793&sec=education
What's interesting is the Dunning-Kruger effect, which I think is so true in schools today. We need better teachers, and train them to understand all kids are different, some will be brighter than them, and they will have to accept that. Especially GEP teachers. They need NOT be gifted, but they need to understand giftedness, otherwise, they will always pick children they can relate to in order to teach effectively. :nailbite:
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