MOE not tweaking P1 registration

[janet88]

Chenonceau:

Maemo... if I remember right this new class size ratio was a target set years back. MOE has not changed anything here. I am happy for other reasons. I too am not exactly hot about the current ratio.

At P1/2, class size is 30...but from P3 onwards, the size increases. If class size at P5/6 can be capped at 30, there should be better quality of teaching and less emphasis on tutors.
As parents, we do want a holistic education for our kids but seriously doubt it is possible in Asian countries.

[corneyAmber]

Laura02:

Actually, I think education should be holistic, and not focused on academics alone.


I was just talking to my neighbour. He works at one of ASTAR's research arms and voiced his concern about our obsession on academics. He gave this example : a couple of ASTAR scholars were working on a chemical process. They did the saftey test - which turned out fine, then proceeded to doing the chemical test. Something leaked and noxious, poisonous fumes started fogging up the lab. But these scholars, because they had gone by the book and the book said safety test first then if the safety test are OK, proceed ... so they merrily continued ... A supervisor walked by before these scholars becamed seriously injured.

So I countered with story of my own. My doctor friend has been barred from ever trying to change a light bulb by her husband. It seems she wanted to unscrew the old light bulb then change it to a new one. Her husband walked in just before she started. Guess what? She hadn't turned off the switch to the broken light. She's actually quite famous.

And so we traded many more such stories.

But while it was hilarious ... it also carried unsettling undertones.

So yes, I advocate a holistic education. Have parents come in to fix broken light, handles, clogged pipes if they know how, and have the children watch and learn. Its no use knowing the volume, mass, that air can be compressed if you don't know how to place the air pump into the basketball to inflate it in the first place.

I am totally with you Laura but the scream about education today is nothing like what you have described. The inadequate areas seem to be only the PSLE, the T-scores, DSA, GEP... The proposed areas to change is better teaching for academic subjects with better materials, \"better\" teachers and smaller class. The focus is academics, nothing else. I share the same sentiments with you that there are more important areas missing but not many is paying attention to it.

[alng]

On class size…it would be great if the class size is reduced to a number that encourages the English and MT teachers to have composition at least once a fortnight and to grade and provide detailed feedback on the compositions.

[dorisp]

Average Joe:

When the day really comes where every school is indeed a good school, we wouldn't be having debates like this.


I think some refinement to Phase 2A for e.g. to impose some form of quota (25% of remaining vacancies after Phase 1?) is not entirely unreasonable.

Agree.

[DesertWind]

Average Joe:

I think some refinement to Phase 2A for e.g. to impose some form of quota (25% of remaining vacancies after Phase 1?) is not entirely unreasonable.

Disagree.

:imanangel:

[DesertWind]

phtthp:

after all, MOE keep hiring so many trainee teachers every batch / year. They come in easily. There is no lack of teachers. So teacher staff resources should not be an issue ... at most, can open up more classes.

I thought MOE always got problems hiring new teachers? Also nowadays loosing teachers to the tuition market. I have one ex-colleague who quit to become a teacher. Once the bond is up, she came out again. She said teaching is a very stressful job, better come back out to be an accountant!

[dorisp]

It is a matter of time soon that there may need to ballot in P2A and these schools will only cater to children of alumni and doors are shut to all others. Wonder what is MOE's stand on that when the day comes.

[DesertWind]

phtthp:

Channel News Asia

10 September, 2012

SINGAPORE

MP for Holland-Bukit Timah GRC, Mr Liang Eng Hwa, said: \"For non-gifted schools, would MOE consider higher allocation to those who live within one kilometre so they have a higher chance and a shorter distance to travel to schools for the kids?\"

Senior Minister of State for Education, Lawrence Wong, said:-
\"There are also concerns raised, that if you were to give even more priority, what would be the impact on property prices for example? Would that then force out more parents who may not be able to afford living within that area? Would that be a fairer way of allocating?

I agree with the reply from MP Lawrence Wong!

[DesertWind]

While my first reaction is to rejoice over the status quo since I am registering next year, I am also concerned about P2B. The gate is open too wide. Should be tweaked eventually.

[DesertWind]

limlim:

Sun_2010:

The student teacher ratio is the no of students to number of teachers. Not no of students in a class.

so, a school which has 180 × 6 (P1 - P6) = 1080 students will have 60 teachers altogether? Schools really hv so many teachers ar?

Wow, it is a noble goal. If MOE is able to supply so many teachers to the schools I am sure the work-life balance of the teachers and the teaching quality should improve. Then it may help to reduce the attrition rate of teachers as well as the work-load.

But don't think it will translate to reducing the class size. Already schools are going single session and having problems with the premises and/or reduced intake. If class size reduced further will need even larger premises or drastically cut intake.

Smaller class size is always welcome, if it means teachers are less stressed and hence less likely to tell those weaker students or those kids with special needs to go. If it allows for greater accommodation for weaker students, I am all for it!