Is PSLE so important?

[wonderm]

MotherHen:

For me, it's not simply about publishing or withholding the names of the top scorers. I'm more concerned if, in our haste to \"reduce stress\", we are doing too much too quickly, without thinking of ramifications. Like wonderm and jtoh, I worry about grade inflation and dumbing down. It's a slippery path downhill and we would lose our edge as a nation if that happens.


In life, it is not possible to have zero stress, zero competition. It's more important to learn how to manage our expectations and stress levels. We as (kiasu) parents no doubt add on to our kids' stress. I'll be the first to admit that I am guilty as charged. To me, it is not right to lay the blame squarely on the education system per se.

:goodpost:

I am not too concerned about knowing the names of top scorers. It is the number of and the direction of recent changes that concerned so many of us.

[wonderm]

SAHM_TAN:

Is education a competition?


It seems that way becos of streaming into P3, P5 classes with the existence of top, MA and foundation classes, and there are increasing less vacancies as a child progresses to sec, differentiating bet IP, express, normal, NT, JC and Uni. But maybe it's just academic abilities placement. The argument abt the fairness of the playing field will con't, but surely in essence, learning and education is not a competition.

Thanks for sharing this very refreshing view.

I am just wondering, if competition is bad and should be avoided because it adds stress. What about all sorts of academic competitions like Maths and Science Olympiad, Essay Writing Competition? should they be banned?

Just for discussion.

[wonderm]

slmkhoo:

wonderm:

[quote=\"SAHM_TAN\"]Is education a competition?


It seems that way becos of streaming into P3, P5 classes with the existence of top, MA and foundation classes, and there are increasing less vacancies as a child progresses to sec, differentiating bet IP, express, normal, NT, JC and Uni. But maybe it's just academic abilities placement. The argument abt the fairness of the playing field will con't, but surely in essence, learning and education is not a competition.

Thanks for sharing this very refreshing view.

I am just wondering, if competition is bad and should be avoided because it adds stress. What about all sorts of academic competitions like Maths and Science Olympiad, Essay Writing Competition? should they be banned?

Just for discussion.

Some people thrive on competition, others don't. I feel that there is room for all sorts. By all means have competition for the ones who want to compete, who perform better when there is a challenge. But there is no need for every child to feel the pressure of competition. In this, I feel that it is the human agents (some parents and teachers) who have done the most damage to kids by pushing them to compete even if the child is just average, doesn't like competition, gets stressed easily etc. The 'system' allows different streams, different schools, but parents tend to want their kids to 'aim for the top', and teachers want to see the highest grades possible, even at the expense of sleep and leisure, and some kids just don't cope well with that pressure. I have 2 girls, one in each camp, so I can see both sides. No competition would mean less push for one girl who does well when faced with some challenge, but setting high goals puts too much pressure on the other. For this 2nd one, we just ask her to work consistently and do her best, and we select schools and courses based on her results, not select a 'good' course or school and ask her to aim for results that will get her there. It's just having a different perspective for different types of kids; no need to have a one-size-fits-all way of doing things.[/quote]Well said! :goodpost:

[BeContented]

slmkhoo:

Some people thrive on competition, others don't. I feel that there is room for all sorts. By all means have competition for the ones who want to compete, who perform better when there is a challenge. But there is no need for every child to feel the pressure of competition. In this, I feel that it is the human agents (some parents and teachers) who have done the most damage to kids by pushing them to compete even if the child is just average, doesn't like competition, gets stressed easily etc. The 'system' allows different streams, different schools, but parents tend to want their kids to 'aim for the top', and teachers want to see the highest grades possible, even at the expense of sleep and leisure, and some kids just don't cope well with that pressure. I have 2 girls, one in each camp, so I can see both sides. No competition would mean less push for one girl who does well when faced with some challenge, but setting high goals puts too much pressure on the other. For this 2nd one, we just ask her to work consistently and do her best, and we select schools and courses based on her results, not select a 'good' course or school and ask her to aim for results that will get her there. It's just having a different perspective for different types of kids; no need to have a one-size-fits-all way of doing things.

:goodpost:

[NewKSmum]

Honestly I feel that with all the comments on this topic of PSLE is not the major concern but it is the issue of parents themselves. If the parents could view PSLE as a diagnostic examination that determines the child’s ability and capability in getting better grade and entering into their choice’ school. I think this system still can carry on, personally I don’t think it is a bad thing to publicise the top scorers’ results as children of those top scorers’ schools will feel proud of their peers and seniors and it is an encouragement for the junior to follow suit. Indirectly, I feel that the junior will follow what the senior does - be good or bad, it is just a line away … I suppose the teachers and principal of the school will feel proud as it is a kind of recognition and motivation for them.

[SAHM_TAN]

I didn’t say competition is bad. I’m not advocating for zero stress. Stress cannot be avoid and does not come from just academics. We need to know how to handle stress.


As I have posted the recent changes to the curriculum do not make the coming PSLE any easier.


The various academic competition, join by all means if the parents think they are useful, for the purpose of DSA, motivation for the kids, I know there are kids who thrive on competition to excel, or if the parents just like to build portfolio. But for parents who don’t see a need then there’s no stress to persue them. That’s my stand.

However much stress parents wish to load on their kids is also their choice. This depend on what they belief in and the ability of the child and also how child and parents can handle and manage the stress.

Having less stress in primary school does not equate to a less competitive nation. MOE need to look at what’s required at primary level. I doubt they are foolish to dumb down the syllabus. If they do then I have made a poor judgement. Their job is to decided what’s enough for the masses in primary school to prepare the kids for the next level of education, without the need for tuition or enrichment. If parents wish to send their kids for tuition and enrichment, it’s also their choice. But the school and teachers must be able to help kids succeed to the next level even if they do not have tuition or enrichment. This is not abt competition but abt learning and education, having the tools to go to the next level.

There are other forms of competition too, from sports, arts, games etc. that parents can exposed their kids to depending on the kids. The purpose is also not all abt winning.

Resilience, character and the values in a child is not built fr surviving PSLE.

I’m not advocating a la di la happiness primary education.

[wonderm]

SAHM_TAN:

I didn't say competition is bad. I'm not advocating for zero stress. Stress cannot be avoid and does not come from just academics. We need to know how to handle stress.


As I have posted the recent changes to the curriculum do not make the coming PSLE any easier.


The various academic competition, join by all means if the parents think they are useful, for the purpose of DSA, motivation for the kids, I know there are kids who thrive on competition to excel, or if the parents just like to build portfolio. But for parents who don't see a need then there's no stress to persue them. That's my stand.

However much stress parents wish to load on their kids is also their choice. This depend on what they belief in and the ability of the child and also how child and parents can handle and manage the stress.

Having less stress in primary school does not equate to a less competitive nation. MOE need to look at what's required at primary level. I doubt they are foolish to dumb down the syllabus. If they do then I have made a poor judgement. Their job is to decided what's enough for the masses in primary school to prepare the kids for the next level of education, without the need for tuition or enrichment. If parents wish to send their kids for tuition and enrichment, it's also their choice. But the school and teachers must be able to help kids succeed to the next level even if they do not have tuition or enrichment. This is not abt competition but abt learning and education, having the tools to go to the next level.

There are other forms of competition too, from sports, arts, games etc. that parents can exposed their kids to depending on the kids. The purpose is also not all abt winning.

Resilience, character and the values in a child is not built fr surviving PSLE.

I'm not advocating a la di la happiness primary education.

SAHM,
I quoted your post earlier because you touched on competition and I was just extending that to seek views about competition in general.

I fully understand and agree with you. :celebrate:

[SAHM_TAN]

Just to add, for me the various academic competitions are not part of what I view as primary school education.


For me those are extras for parents and kids who wish to develop themselves further in particular niche and to achieve certain objectives.

[wonderm]

SAHM_TAN:

Just to add, for me the various academic competitions are not part of what I view as primary school education.


For me those are extras for parents and kids who wish to develop themselves further in particular niche and to achieve certain objectives.

Ideally that is the case. But with DSA in mind, many parents are preparing their children from young for all kinds of academic and non-academic competitions. This is to beef up their portfolio and increase their chance of success during DSA. It is becoming a part of the primary school education. I am not saying it is a good or bad thing. I guess there is no simple answer. It really depends on the child and how the parents and the entire education system help to strike a balance somewhere.

I saw the news on TV recently, Beijing has announced the ban of using Maths Olympiad results for the purpose of Sec school entry. It was because the MO training has been too widespread and giving too much stress to the young kids and their parents.

Just to share. It was one of the reason why I asked the question earlier. Of course, we don't have the same situation as Beijing and even over there, it is still being debated whether it is the right thing to do.

[SAHM_TAN]

wonderm,


Your qn \"force\" my lazy fingers and brain to craft a more thorough post.

Now I need a break :rotflmao: