All About Preparing For PSLE

[wonderm]

I support meritocracy and I believe kids should enter their desired schools with merits. However, merits do not only refer to PSLE T score. Kids who enter via DSA through non academic paths are just as deserving to me because they have shown to the school their strength in sports or PA in addition to a fairly strong academic track record.


In addition, many students take part actively in CCA in Sec school, not only DSA students. We talk a lot about character development (perseverance, resilience, teamwork, discipline, commitment etc.), to me, CCA participation is one of the best ways to develop these characters. It also gives the students a great sense of achievement and many build strong frienships which last a lifetime. It is no surprise that many students choose to join CCAs which require a lot of time and commitment. Many non-DSA students are doing it because they don’t see it as a transaction, or they are merely ‘playing for the school’.

There is much talk about having a more broad based definition of success and meritocracy. There is much criticism about over emphasis of exam results and there is a outcry for the need to have a truely holistic education. I think we parents need to have the right mindset. If all we want our children to do whole day is to study, study and more study and if we only value exam marks, I wonder what can MOE do to get us nearer to our goals.

[BeContented]

wonderm:

I support meritocracy and I believe kids should enter their desired schools with merits. However, merits do not only refer to PSLE T score. Kids who enter via DSA through non academic paths are just as deserving to me because they have shown to the school their strength in sports or PA in addition to a fairly strong academic track record.


In addition, many students take part actively in CCA in Sec school, not only DSA students. We talk a lot about character development (perseverance, resilience, teamwork, discipline, commitment etc.), to me, CCA participation is one of the best ways to develop these characters. It also gives the students a great sense of achievement and many build strong frienships which last a lifetime. It is no surprise that many students choose to join CCAs which require a lot of time and commitment. Many non-DSA students are doing it because they don't see it as a transaction, or they are merely 'playing for the school'.

There is much talk about having a more broad based definition of success and meritocracy. There is much criticism about over emphasis of exam results and there is a outcry for the need to have a truely holistic education. I think we parents need to have the right mindset. If all we want our children to do whole day is to study, study and more study and if we only value exam marks, I wonder what can MOE do to get us nearer to our goals.

:goodpost: :goodpost: :goodpost: :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:
:love: dunno how many good post I must put to show how much I like this post.

[kitty2]

wonderm:

I support meritocracy and I believe kids should enter their desired schools with merits. However, merits do not only refer to PSLE T score. Kids who enter via DSA through non academic paths are just as deserving to me because they have shown to the school their strength in sports or PA in addition to a fairly strong academic track record.


In addition, many students take part actively in CCA in Sec school, not only DSA students. We talk a lot about character development (perseverance, resilience, teamwork, discipline, commitment etc.), to me, CCA participation is one of the best ways to develop these characters. It also gives the students a great sense of achievement and many build strong frienships which last a lifetime. It is no surprise that many students choose to join CCAs which require a lot of time and commitment. Many non-DSA students are doing it because they don't see it as a transaction, or they are merely 'playing for the school'.

There is much talk about having a more broad based definition of success and meritocracy. There is much criticism about over emphasis of exam results and there is a outcry for the need to have a truely holistic education. I think we parents need to have the right mindset. If all we want our children to do whole day is to study, study and more study and if we only value exam marks, I wonder what can MOE do to get us nearer to our goals.

Well said :goodpost: :salute:

[Dreamgear]

wonderm:

I support meritocracy and I believe kids should enter their desired schools with merits. However, merits do not only refer to PSLE T score. Kids who enter via DSA through non academic paths are just as deserving to me because they have shown to the school their strength in sports or PA in addition to a fairly strong academic track record.


In addition, many students take part actively in CCA in Sec school, not only DSA students. We talk a lot about character development (perseverance, resilience, teamwork, discipline, commitment etc.), to me, CCA participation is one of the best ways to develop these characters. It also gives the students a great sense of achievement and many build strong frienships which last a lifetime. It is no surprise that many students choose to join CCAs which require a lot of time and commitment. Many non-DSA students are doing it because they don't see it as a transaction, or they are merely 'playing for the school'.

There is much talk about having a more broad based definition of success and meritocracy. There is much criticism about over emphasis of exam results and there is a outcry for the need to have a truely holistic education. I think we parents need to have the right mindset. If all we want our children to do whole day is to study, study and more study and if we only value exam marks, I wonder what can MOE do to get us nearer to our goals.

:goodpost:

[iFirefly]

BeContented:

wonderm:

I support meritocracy and I believe kids should enter their desired schools with merits. However, merits do not only refer to PSLE T score. Kids who enter via DSA through non academic paths are just as deserving to me because they have shown to the school their strength in sports or PA in addition to a fairly strong academic track record.


In addition, many students take part actively in CCA in Sec school, not only DSA students. We talk a lot about character development (perseverance, resilience, teamwork, discipline, commitment etc.), to me, CCA participation is one of the best ways to develop these characters. It also gives the students a great sense of achievement and many build strong frienships which last a lifetime. It is no surprise that many students choose to join CCAs which require a lot of time and commitment. Many non-DSA students are doing it because they don't see it as a transaction, or they are merely 'playing for the school'.

There is much talk about having a more broad based definition of success and meritocracy. There is much criticism about over emphasis of exam results and there is a outcry for the need to have a truely holistic education. I think we parents need to have the right mindset. If all we want our children to do whole day is to study, study and more study and if we only value exam marks, I wonder what can MOE do to get us nearer to our goals.

:goodpost: :goodpost: :goodpost: :rahrah: :rahrah: :rahrah:
:love: dunno how many good post I must put to show how much I like this post.

:goodpost: :salute: :hi5: :hugs: :grphug:

[Dreamgear]

TheAnswer:

I refer to DSA via backdoors as going in using sports or any other talent. Not those who went in through results.


I believe in challenging my boy. He has to prove himself capable to get into the school of his choice. If you DSA into the school and end up playing for the school more than studying. Tough to cope.

There are reasons why some choose to dsa, it could be a AEP or MEP. I think DSA has a boarder context then just the top schools.

The reason why there is a dsa choice for sports or talents is to provide kids who are investing a lot of time into their pursuits an opportunity to enter the institution of their choice. Once again its the schools themselves who screwed it up by turning it into a rat race.

You might be surprise that there are schools who placed a premium on cca and there are basically no difference in the time spent on cca for dsa or non-dsa students.....like acsi, chs....

[JohnYeo]

wonderm:

There is much talk about having a more broad based definition of success and meritocracy. There is much criticism about over emphasis of exam results and there is a outcry for the need to have a truely holistic education. I think we parents need to have the right mindset. If all we want our children to do whole day is to study, study and more study and if we only value exam marks, I wonder what can MOE do to get us nearer to our goals.

Great post and I fully agree on this. Though it's true that parents need to have the right mindset, I observed that parents also do succumb to peer pressure too (pressure from other parents) that exam marks are important.

I have known parents who really want to and they believe that their kids should enjoy the entire learning process but at the same time, when it comes to exams, their worried face also tells alot including if they should get their kids to score well too.

I think the entire education system has its part to play and that include how teachers educate the parents, and how educators (including tutors) educate the parents...While MOE may be able to get us nearer to our goals (whatever that is), by the time that it gets passed down and get implemented by the teachers, it will be too late...so starting from parents may be a better alternative, i feel.

[weatherbee]

JohnYeo:

wonderm:

There is much talk about having a more broad based definition of success and meritocracy. There is much criticism about over emphasis of exam results and there is a outcry for the need to have a truely holistic education. I think we parents need to have the right mindset. If all we want our children to do whole day is to study, study and more study and if we only value exam marks, I wonder what can MOE do to get us nearer to our goals.

Great post and I fully agree on this. Though it's true that parents need to have the right mindset, I observed that parents also do succumb to peer pressure too (pressure from other parents) that exam marks are important.

I have known parents who really want to and they believe that their kids should enjoy the entire learning process but at the same time, when it comes to exams, their worried face also tells alot including if they should get their kids to score well too.

I think the entire education system has its part to play and that include how teachers educate the parents, and how educators (including tutors) educate the parents...While MOE may be able to get us nearer to our goals (whatever that is), by the time that it gets passed down and get implemented by the teachers, it will be too late...so starting from parents may be a better alternative, i feel.

I would want my children to enjoy studies and their school lives but sometimes it is really so stressful. Many things still weigh on their exam results. Like admission to JC/Uni or even reputable overseas Uni.

[JohnYeo]

weatherbee:

I would want my children to enjoy studies and their school lives but sometimes it is really so stressful. Many things still weigh on their exam results. Like admission to JC/Uni or even reputable overseas Uni.

Hi weatherbee,

I agree too. Many parents are experiencing being pulled in both direction, one direction is they want their children to enjoy, the other direction is the stressors from school environment...many times, we wonder which one to go and how much to go...

John

[wonderm]

weatherbee:

I would want my children to enjoy studies and their school lives but sometimes it is really so stressful. Many things still weigh on their exam results. Like admission to JC/Uni or even reputable overseas Uni.

A certain level of pressure or stress is unavoidable and in fact healthy in my opinion. Of course, we need to manage it and help our children to manage it so we don't get overly stressed. It is great if your children enjoy studies, they are likely to do better than those who see it as a chore. Exam results are certainly important, they are not always accurate in measuring a student's standard or potential, but most people still recognize its relevance. Take heart that to get into reputable overseas Uni, they don't look at exam results alone. All the best to you and your children!