The Real Reason Why We Send Our Children to Tuition

[AdonciaTang]

janet_lee88:

Just relax:

The education system has increased the breadth and depth of knowledge to such an extent that parents cannot really cope with the subjects even if they are SAH parents.


There will be children who can self-study and many who can't. The system in Singapore seems to operate on the assumption that the standard has to continuously be raised every few years and new methods of teaching or emphasis of new or different areas introduced. This I sometimes think happens just too fast. The primary syllabus of today contains many topics in Maths and Science previously only taught in Sec school. That is already a quantum leap.

Working parents hardly have energy to coach kids after a long day in the office. Even if they still have, some time is needed to understand what their kids are learning before coaching/revising with them...primary school work.
The breadth and depth is increasing as though children are pumped with IQ jabs...but in fact, most are struggling to keep up with the standard.

I heard of kids attending 2-3 tutors just for one subject, for eg English...that is at P6. Will these kids be able to apply correctly and not be confused?

I have friends who are doing that too. I thought it might be too much for them though

[janet88]

2-3 tutors is a little nutsy, in my opinion.

For Math, supposing one tutor says to use this method but the other one says something else…whose method should the child use? Don’t forget, during the actual PSLE, the child is under extreme pressure to perform…it is very risky if the child has a mental block.

Besides, why have 2 or 3 tutors just for ONE subject??? It shows the lack of trust and confidence to have one to backup another. Does the poor child have time to attend so many tuitions?

[janet88]

mummy of three:

janet_lee88:

2-3 tutors is a little nutsy, in my opinion.

For Math, supposing one tutor says to use this method but the other one says something else...whose method should the child use? Don't forget, during the actual PSLE, the child is under extreme pressure to perform...it is very risky if the child has a mental block.

Besides, why have 2 or 3 tutors just for ONE subject??? It shows the lack of trust and confidence to have one to backup another. Does the poor child have time to attend so many tuitions?

It’s either too kiasu or too much money or too kua zhang

It's ridiculous !!!
If one subject 3 tutors...i believe the other 3 subjects are also outsourced...
钱太多.

[Just relax]

I would suggest possibly the only subject to have 2 types of tuition may be MT where the MT is not spoken at home. 1-1 to identify and strengthen the weaker aspects of MT and a group setting for reinforcement and enrichment especially if it is a small class where the child can speak to other children in MT.


For other subjects depending on the child’s ability tuition may be provided. For eg. If the child is already scoring 90 and above for a subject (as a rough guide) then tuition is not necessary.

[janet88]

Just relax:

For other subjects depending on the child's ability tuition may be provided. For eg. If the child is already scoring 90 and above for a subject (as a rough guide) then tuition is not necessary.

When the child is in the 90 range, the parent will provide tuition to confirm that S-T-A-R.

[AdonciaTang]

janet_lee88:

Just relax:

For other subjects depending on the child's ability tuition may be provided. For eg. If the child is already scoring 90 and above for a subject (as a rough guide) then tuition is not necessary.

When the child is in the 90 range, the parent will provide tuition to confirm that S-T-A-R.

So True. It seems never enough

[ScaredyMum]

janet_lee88:

I can't speak for the others.

For us, the reason to outsource is the incapability to teach own kids. Times have changed...education system is no longer like before. Math is different ball game...models used in schools are not our cup of tea. Those problem sums seem like Greek. Tutors have their way of teaching.
Hubby refused to admit earlier he cannot teach any longer...also bcos of financial reasons...finally he agreed that times have changed...after son flunked Math at CA1 and SA1 in P5. We tightened our belts and outsourced. Though late, but better than never. Son passed PSLE.
We decided not to repeat same mistake. Outsourced daughter's English as well...foundation is really important.

I am in similar situation. DS1 didn't have tuition from P1 to P4 cos we didn't want them to miss their childhood. But we paid a price, we saw his results dipped to the 70s in P4 but we still didn't realised the impact. Though I put him in tuition centre in P5, his foundation was too weak and he couldn't perform up to expectations (though he didn't fail the core subjs except HCL). He is taking PSLE this year and we have gotten him a tutor after SA1 last year. It seems abit late, and his math & CL is still rather weak. We are trying our best :xedfingers:

Not wanting to let history repeat itself, we have started DS2 tuition this year (P4).

Most parents like myself wants our DC to have a proper childhood too. But the education system is just too demanding. Unless DC are naturally bright, its really tough to get decent results without tuition.

[janet88]

It is quite impossible to give our kids a childhood.

If they do not have a foundation, their subjects will suffer when they move up.
So sad to say, they need tuition.
I started my daughter for English tuition…initially wanted to start when she goes to P4…but with compulsory CCA from next year, not taking chances. She is learning comprehension skills. Tutor made an exception for her.

[Just relax]

janet_lee88:

It is quite impossible to give our kids a childhood.

If they do not have a foundation, their subjects will suffer when they move up.
So sad to say, they need tuition.
I started my daughter for English tuition...initially wanted to start when she goes to P4...but with compulsory CCA from next year, not taking chances. She is learning comprehension skills. Tutor made an exception for her.

Not true. It depends on you as the parent to create the environment, do not blame the system. I know of children and parents who spend weekends playing badminton or bowling or cycling together. They spend time doing stuff at home such as playing board games or just simply reading books as a family. It is being done in many families. You will find the time to go to the cinema with kids 1-2 times every 3 months and watch a play or visit the zoo together.

With this family time you will still find time to let your child go for CL tuition and Maths and Science tuition. Your child will still have time on Friday afternoon to do CCA and enjoy it with friends.

There is a childhood without making your child lose out. Ask the many parents who quietly do it because they make the time for it. What may lose out is the \"me\" time, but your child is part of you so that more than makes up for it especially when they are still young.

[ScaredyMum]

Just relax:

janet_lee88:

It is quite impossible to give our kids a childhood.

If they do not have a foundation, their subjects will suffer when they move up.
So sad to say, they need tuition.
I started my daughter for English tuition...initially wanted to start when she goes to P4...but with compulsory CCA from next year, not taking chances. She is learning comprehension skills. Tutor made an exception for her.

Not true. It depends on you as the parent to create the environment, do not blame the system. I know of children and parents who spend weekends playing badminton or bowling or cycling together. They spend time doing stuff at home such as playing board games or just simply reading books as a family. It is being done in many families. You will find the time to go to the cinema with kids 1-2 times every 3 months and watch a play or visit the zoo together.

With this family time you will still find time to let your child go for CL tuition and Maths and Science tuition. Your child will still have time on Friday afternoon to do CCA and enjoy it with friends.

There is a childhood without making your child lose out. Ask the many parents who quietly do it because they make the time for it. What may lose out is the \"me\" time, but your child is part of you so that more than makes up for it especially when they are still young.

I would think it also depends on the composition of the family structure. If a family has many kids with different schedules to struggle with, family leisure time is a luxury. Not that it is impossible, probably just not as often.