MOE not tweaking P1 registration

[Chenonceau]

Nebbermind:

Chenonceau:

One possibility is to test hard and so mainstream parents get tuition or teach at home? Another reason could be the flow over of GEP materials into high ability classes in GEP schools?

Again... I think it's good that GEP has all this. No one is asking to take all this away from GEP. However, I still don't understand how HSK can say that small classes don't matter to quality teaching when GEP and LSP have small classes.

But what about the non-GEP schools? Maybe MGS/SCGS parents can enlightening if there's any hard testing in such schools? My impression is that they quite relax one.

Once you name the school, no one will say anything.

I am a parent too. My DS' school tests hard and teaches little. Many kids have tuition. That's one way to get quality passes. But this line of reasoning distracts from the key question that puzzles me so I will repeat it here.

I still don't understand how HSK can say that small classes don't matter to quality teaching when GEP and LSP have small classes.

I am curious... what is your view Nebbermind? Do you think that since MGS etc can get quality passes with classes of 40, then class size does not matter? If that is so, why does your child in GEP get to enjoy small classes of 25?

[janet88]

Chenonceau:

Nebbermind:

But even the GEP schools have 40 for their mainstream classes. Same for schools such as MGS and SCGS which I recently found out they have pretty good quality passes %, if not wrong, on par with RGPS. How do they manage?

Again... I think it's good that GEP has all this. No one is asking to take all this away from GEP. However, I still don't understand how HSK can say that small classes don't matter to quality teaching when GEP and LSP have small classes.

There are several who also live in ivory tower...not just HSK. There is another one who doesn't know how to calculate flat size...one who doesn't know the difference between 90 and 100 sq meter, built in useable space.

[Nebbermind]

Chenonceau:

Once you name the school, no one will say anything.


I am a parent too. My DS' school tests hard and teaches little. Many kids have tuition. That's one way to get quality passes. But this line of reasoning distracts from the key question that puzzles me so I will repeat it here.

I still don't understand how HSK can say that small classes don't matter to quality teaching when GEP and LSP have small classes.

I am curious... what is your view Nebbermind? Do you think that since MGS etc can get quality passes with classes of 40, then class size does not matter? If that is so, why does your child in GEP get to enjoy small classes of 25?

When I say it doesn't matter? I'm always for it!! :evil:
I believe that smaller class size allows more interaction (just like your one-to-one coaching of your kid) and in GEP, it's not so much the material but the way lessons are dispensed/delivered.

But that being said, since we will not see it happening soon, perhaps we learn from those who could still manage with it. ya?

[Freesia]

deleted

[mamemo]

Chenonceau:

Get the basics infrastructure for literary and numeracy right first before we demand more of MOE. It is already so stretched. Poor thing.

Fully agree !

However, I think literary and numeracy basics should have been the primary focus of MOE primary schools since day 1. Somehow, the direction got de-railed along the way when MOE tried to introduce holistic education etc etc. Just look at this : http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2011/09/recognising-best-practices-of-schools.php Ended up schools who are already weak in literacy and numeracy, went chasing after the awards, and it became a vicious cycle.

If they have continued the focus on the basic skills since day 1, they should not be stretched now... err, so MOE don't deserve my sympathies.

[Chenonceau]

Nebbermind:

When I say it doesn't matter? I'm always for it!! :evil:
I believe that smaller class size allows more interaction (just like your one-to-one coaching of your kid) and in GEP, it's not so much the material but the way lessons are dispensed/delivered.

But that being said, since we will not see it happening soon, perhaps we learn from those who could still manage with it. ya?

I agree with your appraisal, Nebbermind. It is unrealistic to expect MOE to bring mainstream class sizes down to 25... However, @dear Mr HSK... that is not the same as saying class size doesn't matter. As Nebbermind said, \"The way lessons are dispensed/delivered\" does make a difference to quality of teaching.

Actually, I am happy already that MOE is taking steps to develop materials for Stellar Upper Primary so that teachers don't have to also write their own curriculum materials. That is already something to be grateful for. Please, those parents who want small classes... don't flame me. I want them as badly as you... but it has been so long (2 years) that I am grateful for whatever scraps MOE can give that are leftover from GEP.

[dorisp]

rains:

The dilemma will only arise when the school next door is so much better than the alma mater.

That I think....is rather true.

:evil:

[keroppi]

Nebbermind:

rains:

The dilemma will only arise when the school next door is so much better than the alma mater.

I may be a fool...but STILL alma mater!!!

Me too. :evil:

[looking4Tutor]

No more banding for secondary schools hence all schools are good school. Just a joke shared this morning.

[limlim]

rains:

Given that everything is equal, the one with alumni sure put the child in the alma mater. The dilemma will only arise when the school next door is so much better than the alma mater.

You sure......?

Everything equal except distance and affection. You choose affection over distance? I guess not many would do that.

for the very rich, maybe anywhere in SG not much difference to them.

But for most middle range families, the larger distance not only translates to inconvenience, but logistics, cost (petrol, sch bus e.t.c.), effort, traveling time etc..

well.. anyway.. it's their choice..

If later any alumni rant about costly sch bus, kid wake up at 5.30am etc go home very late etc..... maybe I can arm chio....... :evil: