MOE to scrap Banding for Secondary Schools

[Chenonceau]

http://hedgehogcomms.blogspot.sg/2012/09/steering-education-mothership.html

[3Boys]

edtan:

I think the MOE is too reactive over by one or two people comments.

First, it was the P1 screening and later Secondary school banding.

Why don't take out the entry requirement for the universities, that will solve every parent woe and have unlimited vacancies for all courses. We can choose we want to do; not constraints by the entry points.

So you are suggesting that even those who are not academically inclined be allowed to do say, medicine, if he so chooses? Even if his chances of flunking out were very high?

Or are you saying that we do away with standards altogether in Uni so that even someone who were flunking every semester be allowed to graduate?

How much trust will you have in your professions if that were the case?

We should not expand Uni places for the sake of expanding Uni places. Or for that matter, just so that can feel good about not having to compete for expensive state-funded education.

[Bear.014745w.014745me]

Hi All,


I am a parent whose children are also in school right now. :grphug:

In my opinion, for as much as Singapore would like to be a developed nation, then its people will be making choices more independently (i say more independently because there is still a system and requirement in place).

I noticed that the Western countries (suppose to be developed countries) like the USA and Western European countries, going to university is a matter of choice for their citizens. As long as one can study and meet the minimum entry requirements. :rahrah:

So i think step-by-step Singapore is moving in the right direction. In the end citizens will find more levelled playing field.

We need to move away with the myth that higher education is only meant for the brightest but it is meant for the one who wants to work hard to achieve it. This is what education in a developed countries is about.

Just my humble opinion.

[Chenonceau]

Bear.w.me:

Hi All,


I am a parent whose children are also in school right now. :grphug:

In my opinion, for as much as Singapore would like to be a developed nation, then its people will be making choices more independently (i say more independently because there is still a system and requirement in place).

I noticed that the Western countries (suppose to be developed countries) like the USA and Western European countries, going to university is a matter of choice for their citizens. As long as one can study and meet the minimum entry requirements. :rahrah:

So i think step-by-step Singapore is moving in the right direction. In the end citizens will find more levelled playing field.

We need to move away with the myth that higher education is only meant for the brightest but it is meant for the one who wants to work hard to achieve it. This is what education in a developed countries is about.

Just my humble opinion.

:goodpost: BearBear!

[nms1]

Bear.w.me:

Hi All,


I am a parent whose children are also in school right now. :grphug:

In my opinion, for as much as Singapore would like to be a developed nation, then its people will be making choices more independently (i say more independently because there is still a system and requirement in place).

I noticed that the Western countries (suppose to be developed countries) like the USA and Western European countries, going to university is a matter of choice for their citizens. As long as one can study and meet the minimum entry requirements. :rahrah:

So i think step-by-step Singapore is moving in the right direction. In the end citizens will find more levelled playing field.

We need to move away with the myth that higher education is only meant for the brightest but it is meant for the one who wants to work hard to achieve it. This is what education in a developed countries is about.

Just my humble opinion.

In the UK at least it is not true that you can enter university with just minimum requirements. You have to obtain the grades that the offer from your course requires. If you don't achieve that you can try for another course with lower requirements but you can't just walk in with a couple of A level passes. Of course, the less bright can achieve the grades by working hard but they still need to meet the mark.

In addition, employers know fully well which are the more rigorous courses so when you are first looking for employment upon graduation this will be a factor.

[Lilac66]

slmkhoo:

Similarly in the US, it's not just a case of meeting minimum standards to be accepted. There are also many universities of varying standards, and employers will take that into consideration too. I think one of the main differences between the west (I have many US and UK friends) and Asians is that there is less of the strong desire for the same top few courses like law and medicine. Individuals consider their abilities and interests more than simply pay and prestige.

Countries like China should also serve as a warning to Singapore - many graduates cannot find jobs as the quality of many degrees is low, but graduates are unwilling to take 'lesser' jobs. For some of these graduates, it is a tragic situation as sometimes entire extended families have helped to pay his fees and are relying on him to get a 'good' job and help the clan in finances and guanxi. When they can't find a 'graduate' job, they experience a lot of pressure and disappointment, and there are debts to pay back. In these cases, the students would probably have done better to have gone to the poly-equivalent rather than struggle to make into a low-ranked university and course - at least they would have a job.

Yes, we don't want to end up with graduates being a dime a dozen... it's happening in South Korea(and I doubt if the quality is low). Our govt should study the situation there and not repeat the problem with more Us. Hopefully, our 2 new Us will be like what is claimed, courses will be tailored more in line with what the economy needs.

[3Boys]

Bear.w.me:

I noticed that the Western countries (suppose to be developed countries) like the USA and Western European countries, going to university is a matter of choice for their citizens. As long as one can study and meet the minimum entry requirements. :rahrah:

Ummm......no.

Whilst one can always go to a degree factory, if you want a meaningful education at a reputable Uni, you need more than a minimum entry score.

And by the way, why should tax payers pay for folk to go to Unis and come out with worthless degrees?

[Daddy D]

http://www.straitstimes.com:80/premium/singapore/story/every-school-have-niche-2017-20120920

[quote]Every school to have a niche by 2017
MOE to fund teacher training and facilities, to help build expertise...[/quote]Here we go again? Let the competition begin...

[Chenonceau]

Some food for thought... http://petunialee.blogspot.sg/2012/09/how-motivation-research-caused-nation.html

[MR06]

Daddy

http://www.straitstimes.com:80/premium/singapore/story/every-school-have-niche-2017-20120920

[quote]Every school to have a niche by 2017
MOE to fund teacher training and facilities, to help build expertise...

Here we go again? Let the competition begin...[/quote]Cannot access article without a password.

Why don't you copy and paste here to share.