"shocked and horrified at how bad many [state schools] were"

[Coolkidsrock2]

Save for the Chinese textbooks, I did not buy textbooks for my DD this year. Even the workbooks are quite useless. Working on exam papers seem more effective. Am planning do the same for DS next year.

[AceTutors123]

Atan:

Agree with Dino mummy on the Sc text bk. Don't understand why the text bk is so simple but exam paper is totally different! In son's sch, his Sc teacher does not use the textbk actively too. Many parents had a rude shock last yr when their kids did badly for P3 SA1 and many signed their kid up for tuition immediately. My DS have been doing ok so far so no tuition but we have to refer to supplementary books such as Ultimate Sc in order to tackle the exam questions.

Geez this is scary and can be very demoralizing for the kids! I wonder if this is some schools' idea of \"teach less learn more\", starting at P3!

[janet88]

AceTutors123:

Atan:

Don't understand why the text bk is so simple but exam paper is totally different! In son's sch, his Sc teacher does not use the textbk actively too. Many parents had a rude shock last yr when their kids did badly for P3 SA1 and many signed their kid up for tuition immediately.

Geez this is scary and can be very demoralizing for the kids! I wonder if this is some school's idea of \"teach less learn more\", starting at P3!

Science textbooks makes the subject look so easy when actually it is FAR from it. I have several guide books...but Science is not a story which allows you to cut the answer and 'paste' on answer sheet. The kids have to know how to answer the questions in a systematic way. Processing skills is necessary. It's not so straightforward as 'KEY WORDS' which teachers always tell the students. I seriously feel that teachers need to go for intensive classes at MOE to be taught how to teach Science.

[Dreamaurora]

Anyway the problems facing state schools in England are quite different from Singapore. The students there are barely keeping up with the national syllabus because overall poor learning environment and teaching standard. Whereas in Singapore, students are barely keeping up because they are assigned materials that are way too advanced and deviate from the norm.


No doubt compared to a lot of countries, an average Singapore student from an average school would be more proficient and knowledgeable compared to one from a neighbouring country. This is highly desirable among many parents, even those foreign ones. A lot of Indonesian parents told me they would rather send their kids to government schools rather than international schools. But at what cost? We can see from numerous discussions here this cause high amount of stress among students and parents alike. Not to mention for those slower ones the pressure may totally kill their joy of learning.

I don’t think our schools are going to end up like state schools in UK, but that does not mean the current trend is healthy. I hope MOE implements some drastic measures to bring the fun and joy back to learning. And also more robust approach and emphasis on non academic skills. This will equip our children better for the global job markets which place a lot of emphasis on versatility and soft skills.

[Imami]

Coolkidsrock2:

Save for the Chinese textbooks, I did not buy textbooks for my DD this year. Even the workbooks are quite useless. Working on exam papers seem more effective. Am planning do the same for DS next year.

Can do? I thought all students are expected to buy and use textbooks?

[verykiasumummy]

textbooks are not only useless… they are misleading!!


in fact many would have thought the syllabus so easy when they see their textbooks… but in fact, gosh… the exams are a hell of shit…

[Dreamaurora]

verykiasumummy:

textbooks are not only useless... they are misleading!!


in fact many would have thought the syllabus so easy when they see their textbooks... but in fact, gosh... the exams are a hell of shit..

I am just curious. Did the teachers explain what will be tested in the exams clearly beforehand regardless whether they are covered in the textbooks? For me I feel textbooks are good starting points, but I think it is good to read and learn more too outside the textbooks.

Or they purposely test materials not covered or stipulated (e.g. test multiplications but said that the test only covers addition and subtraction) ? In this case I think it is extremely unfair and unsporting for the teachers to do so.

I only started learning from secondary school here and last time in my experience the teachers' papers were still reasonable. Those who studied and practiced could reasonably do well. Not sure about now.

[Coolkidsrock2]

Imami:

Coolkidsrock2:

Save for the Chinese textbooks, I did not buy textbooks for my DD this year. Even the workbooks are quite useless. Working on exam papers seem more effective. Am planning do the same for DS next year.

Can do? I thought all students are expected to buy and use textbooks?

I wrote to the school explaining that based on my experience, the texts have never been used, waste of $ and resources and to let me know if there is compelling reasons to buy it. Never hear from school thereafter, so take it as can lor. Seriously, there is nothing that is in the texts that is not covered in exam papers and teachers teach using the board.

[Chenonceau]

Coolkidsrock2:

Imami:

[quote=\"Coolkidsrock2\"]Save for the Chinese textbooks, I did not buy textbooks for my DD this year. Even the workbooks are quite useless. Working on exam papers seem more effective. Am planning do the same for DS next year.

Can do? I thought all students are expected to buy and use textbooks?

I wrote to the school explaining that based on my experience, the texts have never been used, waste of $ and resources and to let me know if there is compelling reasons to buy it. Never hear from school thereafter, so take it as can lor. Seriously, there is nothing that is in the texts that is not covered in exam papers and teachers teach using the board.[/quote]I am IMPRESSED. I am not easily IMPRESSED. You have so much GUTS! I wanted to do that since Primary 4 but never dared. I only dared to stand up against the system in other ways for my son because I was desperate. If I had dared to NOT buy textbooks since P4, I could have saved $300. Man! You have guts.

[Imami]

Coolkidsrock2:

Imami:

[quote=\"Coolkidsrock2\"]Save for the Chinese textbooks, I did not buy textbooks for my DD this year. Even the workbooks are quite useless. Working on exam papers seem more effective. Am planning do the same for DS next year.

Can do? I thought all students are expected to buy and use textbooks?

I wrote to the school explaining that based on my experience, the texts have never been used, waste of $ and resources and to let me know if there is compelling reasons to buy it. Never hear from school thereafter, so take it as can lor. Seriously, there is nothing that is in the texts that is not covered in exam papers and teachers teach using the board.[/quote]
Wah, like that also can...