<![CDATA[Help on ML exemption]]>My boy in P5 is doing really badly in ML (Chinese), around 38% consistently from P3. I’m considering to apply to MOE for ML exemption (Well, he’s eligible).


Experienced parents pls enlighten me on:
1.\tWill his choice of secondary schools be limited? I heard some sec schools do not accept students with ML exemption. Is this true?
2.\tAlong the way in secondary schools, my son suddenly wants to study ML again (I hope 😛 ). Is this possible?

Very appreciate your help.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/15273/help-on-ml-exemptionRSS for NodeSat, 25 Apr 2026 22:35:45 GMTFri, 29 Oct 2010 06:26:10 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sat, 26 Dec 2015 01:37:43 GMT]]>Hi

Any parents here who got their child exempted from MT because we don’t speak/expose the kid to the MTL offered in Singapore? We are Indian origin, and don’t speak any of the NTIL languages. Would like to know the reason to put in for exemption in such a case. Any help deeply appreciated. TIA

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1618909https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1618909Sat, 26 Dec 2015 01:37:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Wed, 27 May 2015 14:23:48 GMT]]>

Khyber:
Hi parents, we have just received DD P5 SA1 result and her Chinese was nearly failed (39%). She always had difficulty in learning Chinese and we are worried sick now since PSLE is next year. Can anyone advice us what what are the steps to apply for the ML exemption (school?). Please help we are very desperate.

please go to this site. it might be of help to you. http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum ... &start=140

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1514190https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1514190Wed, 27 May 2015 14:23:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Mon, 25 May 2015 14:48:19 GMT]]>Hi parents, we have just received DD P5 SA1 result and her Chinese was nearly failed (39%). She always had difficulty in learning Chinese and we are worried sick now since PSLE is next year. Can anyone advice us what what are the steps to apply for the ML exemption (school?). Please help we are very desperate.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1512861https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1512861Mon, 25 May 2015 14:48:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 12 Oct 2014 13:59:27 GMT]]>without MT now, I can focus more time on daughter's weak subjects which is basically all the other 3 😢

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1397719https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1397719Sun, 12 Oct 2014 13:59:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 12 Oct 2014 04:04:42 GMT]]>

janet_lee88:
zbear:

Both my children are very stressed with the school education. DS tells me everyday that he doesn't want to go to school - he cant stand the competition n pressure.


I told him to hang in there - we are living in SINGAPORE, we don't have a choice.

the kids do NOT have a choice...much as I pity them for having to work so hard in primary/secondary school, I have to harden myself but offer a listening ear 🤷

the syllabus is so difficult now and tuition is a necessity to pass those crazy exams.

Agree! No choice.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1397561https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1397561Sun, 12 Oct 2014 04:04:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:21:13 GMT]]>

mom-of-2:


It's not true that MT exempted kids are excluded from SAP school. My daughter's classmate in NYGH is exempted from MT although she apparently enjoys all other Chinese related classes such as wushu, Chinese dance and Chinese speech and drama.
That's interesting to know. How did the girl managed to get admitted to NYGH if she is exempted from MT? Via DSA? S1 posting?

Tks!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1392773https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1392773Wed, 01 Oct 2014 15:21:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:06:39 GMT]]>PM warned against too much reliance on tuition.

the problem is not just about teaching basics but the questions tested during CAs/SAs are just too difficult…kids need tuition to learn how to answer exam questions and to P-A-S-S.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376366https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376366Wed, 03 Sep 2014 13:06:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:01:00 GMT]]>

zbear:
Both my children are very stressed with the school education. DS tells me everyday that he doesn't want to go to school - he cant stand the competition n pressure.


I told him to hang in there - we are living in SINGAPORE, we don't have a choice.
the kids do NOT have a choice...much as I pity them for having to work so hard in primary/secondary school, I have to harden myself but offer a listening ear 🤷

the syllabus is so difficult now and tuition is a necessity to pass those crazy exams.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376336https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376336Wed, 03 Sep 2014 12:01:00 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:52:40 GMT]]>Both my children are very stressed with the school education. DS tells me everyday that he doesn’t want to go to school - he cant stand the competition n pressure.


I told him to hang in there - we are living in SINGAPORE, we don’t have a choice.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376330https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376330Wed, 03 Sep 2014 11:52:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Wed, 03 Sep 2014 07:09:43 GMT]]>In yesterday's ST, there was an article on tuition.

There is something VERY wrong with the education system.
The majority of the kids and their parents suffer, both mentally and financially.

Tuition seen as 'necessity' for students to do well
Tough syllabus, competitive system make it important, say parents, tuition centres

- See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singap ... v3EaV.dpuf

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376108https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376108Wed, 03 Sep 2014 07:09:43 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Wed, 03 Sep 2014 04:44:33 GMT]]>Yes… I agree something is not right and our families and children are gonna be the ones who are going to suffer the long term mental affects such as depression etc.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376012https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1376012Wed, 03 Sep 2014 04:44:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:55:53 GMT]]>PM said teachers have to teach everything, not just the basics.

I agree 100%…why else would kids need to go to school.
Looking at 2 sides…overworked teachers as well as kids requiring tuition to pass. Something is very wrong.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369716https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369716Mon, 25 Aug 2014 10:55:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:52:15 GMT]]>It is a viscous cycle.


Parents want children to do well, good & bad results–> tuition–>results improve–>PSLE more difficult to differentiate good vs bad –> children attend more tuition classes –> Questions become more difficult

What happens to our children who cannot cope?

My friends of mine (ex teachers) could not cope with the workload. Taking classes of 40 each, remedial lessons, extra duties, CCAs, meetings? How many teachers these days have more time to help weaker students?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369270https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369270Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:52:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:38:33 GMT]]>SINGAPORE - At the youth dialogue held last night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave his take on the tuition situation in Singapore after one student expressed concern about parents sending their kids to tuition and other extra classes from a young age.


The student said his niece in her second year at kindergarten is going to so many classes - including one on leadership skills - that he fears that she is losing her childhood.

He was one of about 350 young Singaporeans aged 12 to 35 who attended the post-rally dialogue, organised by the Youth Executive Committees of Ang Mo Kio GRC and Sengkang West, and held at St Nicholas Girls' School.

In response, PM Lee acknowledged the situation and noted that many parents are overzealous in arranging for tuition classes for their children.

\"Why are K2 students going for leadership training programmes? It's partly because our system is competitive, I think it's [also] partly because parents are very anxious for their kids. And I think sometimes their kids also want to make sure they get the few extra points and they ask their parents to arrange tuition for them,\" he said.

\"But I think it's too much. Tuition can help if you are really struggling with a subject. But generally speaking, we want the teachers in school to be teaching you the whole subject, not teaching you the basics and then saying 'the rest you go and ask your tuition teacher.'\"

He said that from his observations, teachers make an effort to teach the whole syllabus in class most of the time and put in extra hours to teach students who need extra help.

\"If you need more tuition or more help, many of the teachers I know stay back in class and in school. If you get detention class, the teachers also stay back in order to help you to pass the exam,\" he noted.

\"So I think that actually, we are doing too much tuition in Singapore,\" he concluded.
- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/edvantage/ ... g1KCN.dpuf

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369257https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369257Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:38:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:38:19 GMT]]>SINGAPORE - At the youth dialogue held last night, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong gave his take on the tuition situation in Singapore after one student expressed concern about parents sending their kids to tuition and other extra classes from a young age.


The student said his niece in her second year at kindergarten is going to so many classes - including one on leadership skills - that he fears that she is losing her childhood.

He was one of about 350 young Singaporeans aged 12 to 35 who attended the post-rally dialogue, organised by the Youth Executive Committees of Ang Mo Kio GRC and Sengkang West, and held at St Nicholas Girls' School.

In response, PM Lee acknowledged the situation and noted that many parents are overzealous in arranging for tuition classes for their children.

\"Why are K2 students going for leadership training programmes? It's partly because our system is competitive, I think it's [also] partly because parents are very anxious for their kids. And I think sometimes their kids also want to make sure they get the few extra points and they ask their parents to arrange tuition for them,\" he said.

\"But I think it's too much. Tuition can help if you are really struggling with a subject. But generally speaking, we want the teachers in school to be teaching you the whole subject, not teaching you the basics and then saying 'the rest you go and ask your tuition teacher.'\"

He said that from his observations, teachers make an effort to teach the whole syllabus in class most of the time and put in extra hours to teach students who need extra help.

\"If you need more tuition or more help, many of the teachers I know stay back in class and in school. If you get detention class, the teachers also stay back in order to help you to pass the exam,\" he noted.

\"So I think that actually, we are doing too much tuition in Singapore,\" he concluded.
- See more at: http://news.asiaone.com/news/edvantage/ ... g1KCN.dpuf

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369256https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369256Mon, 25 Aug 2014 02:38:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 13:07:19 GMT]]>

janet_lee88:
If the child can learn MT without having to sit for exams, there is no pressure because there is no 听写，默写，作文 etc.

However, without those practices and tests, it's not likely that the child is going to learn a lot, and certainly not the writing part well. With any language, just listening is not really good enough, but it's better than nothing.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369051https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1369051Sun, 24 Aug 2014 13:07:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:26:47 GMT]]>If the child can learn MT without having to sit for exams, there is no pressure because there is no 听写，默写，作文 etc.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368991https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368991Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:26:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:04:03 GMT]]>

mummysniper:
Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will seriously consider as the CL teacher wanted to push him to try harder.

Most teachers will try to push kids who are not doing well. If your son is given exemption, you can still opt for him to attend the classes even though he doesn't need to take the exams. At least he will not lose what he has learnt so far, and the teacher will not feel obliged to push him.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368964https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368964Sun, 24 Aug 2014 10:04:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 09:22:59 GMT]]>Thanks everyone for your suggestions. I will seriously consider as the CL teacher wanted to push him to try harder.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368947https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368947Sun, 24 Aug 2014 09:22:59 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:31:03 GMT]]>to be able to get MT exemption is an indication she is not able to manage her language. she is slow but grasp the :siao: math word problems better than me :oops:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368820https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368820Sun, 24 Aug 2014 04:31:03 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:56:40 GMT]]>

janet_lee88:
the education system is indeed demanding but for most kids with no learning disability, they can cope. my son is not a straight A, but surprisingly he is able to manage...just have to give him time to breathe and air his frustrations. for those with learning disability, what is invisible is real, though cannot be seen. not everyone is suited to excel...for my daughter who is weak academically, we want her to be able to at least finish her basic education and take up a course to do what she is interested in...at least she can support herself and be happy and healthy.


Janet, indeed you are a very good n supportive mum.

Everyone has a chance regardless of whether good in academic or not. More importantly, have a rite attitude n you will be able to survive, not just depend on excellent grades.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368789https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368789Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:56:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:14:20 GMT]]>the education system is indeed demanding but for most kids with no learning disability, they can cope. my son is not a straight A, but surprisingly he is able to manage…just have to give him time to breathe and air his frustrations. for those with learning disability, what is invisible is real, though cannot be seen. not everyone is suited to excel…for my daughter who is weak academically, we want her to be able to at least finish her basic education and take up a course to do what she is interested in…at least she can support herself and be happy and healthy.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368768https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368768Sun, 24 Aug 2014 02:14:20 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:43:06 GMT]]>

mummysniper:
Thanks everyone. I have brought my child to see psychologist. My dilemma arises from not being sure if I am doing the right thing for him. I am also worried this is a signal to him that we can avoid a problem each time we face one just like dropping a subject. That is why O am really thinking hard if I should fight on or drop MT.


Sometimes I do not understand why the children have to go through this kind of school curriculum. It is crazy for pupils, teachers and parents! Look at the kinds of things they have to learn. Before whatever learnt is consolidated, they are already learning new things! I think MOE really has to do something about their curriculum planning. Outrageous!
If your son already has a diagnosis, then maybe getting MT exemption will be helpful to him. I look at it this way - if my daughter had only 1 hand, I would definitely ask for her to be exempted from certain school requirements. She might even be exempted from part or all of subjects with a lot of practical work such as PE, sciences or cookery. A learning disability is invisible but just as real and disabling, so to help her cope better with the rest of her work, I would (and have) asked for MT exemption.

As for signalling that opting out is a way to escape problems, that's something you have to talk to your son about. My daughter recognises that her own learning difficulties makes it difficult her for her to cope overall, and is grateful that we have allowed her to drop MT to lighten her load, and that we even encourage her to take easier options and a less demanding route rather than push her to her limits and beyond. We prefer that she have a less stressful time in school and have lowered our expectations for her over the years. We think that, in the long run, her mental well-being will be greater if she learns to self-regulate and not push herself until breaking point, or when repeated failures destroys her self-confidence. I realise that this may seem to be cop-out to you and you may not be comfortable with this.

Maybe the difficulty your son is experiencing with schoolwork is a sign that lightening his load (ie. MT exemption) is the way to go. Although the Singapore curriculum is demanding, quite a lot of kids are coping with it. Just some thoughts.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368736https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368736Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:43:06 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Help on ML exemption on Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:12:17 GMT]]>Thanks everyone. I have brought my child to see psychologist. My dilemma arises from not being sure if I am doing the right thing for him. I am also worried this is a signal to him that we can avoid a problem each time we face one just like dropping a subject. That is why O am really thinking hard if I should fight on or drop MT.


Sometimes I do not understand why the children have to go through this kind of school curriculum. It is crazy for pupils, teachers and parents! Look at the kinds of things they have to learn. Before whatever learnt is consolidated, they are already learning new things! I think MOE really has to do something about their curriculum planning. Outrageous!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368728https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1368728Sun, 24 Aug 2014 00:12:17 GMT