<![CDATA[Is it fair?]]>Hi,


Recently found out that the Pri Sch that my girl is studying is not being fair to all the students. What happen was the school started to stream P1 students and the better ones will make it to the top 3 class in P2. The rest of the classes made up of "mixed ability" pupils. And those in the top 3 classes the school is giving them supplementary (not remedial) lessons twice a week after normal school hours for their English and Maths. As for the rest of the classes, they are not given supplementary lessons except for the weaker students whom are required to attend remedial lessons. While I can understand the school’s reason to stream students of different learning ability to different classes, I cannot fathom why the school needs to give supplementary lessons to these supposedly better students while little is being done to the rest. It seems like the school is paying more attention to these group of students which is kind of like tyring to "groom" them.

My concern is with this kind of system in place, the better students will be better while those in the mixed ability class will fall behind. It’s like the income inequality - the rich becomes richer while the poor will stay poor or become poorer. sigh…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/19607/is-it-fairRSS for NodeTue, 12 May 2026 05:36:29 GMTThu, 24 Feb 2011 14:04:47 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:08:38 GMT]]>I heard a principal emphasize that GEP students are supposed to be very smart, but it doesn’t mean they will all come out tops in PSLE, in fact, she wouldn’t be surprised if they don’t, because the focus of GEP classes is not at all PSLE.


Tuition centres should be better at training kids for PSLE, and I personally don’t think you need to be gifted to top PSLE.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/377057https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/377057Wed, 09 Mar 2011 06:08:38 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:04:54 GMT]]>

JonC:
Don't get so excited lah. It's \"some\" freak cases (reasonably large number compare to previous history) of the whole cohort, not the whole cohort lah. Probably its the way I phrase it is not so correct.


Their don't do well means didn't get the expected results, but their results are so much better and could still squeeze to IP school lah.

Do you also know that there is also GEP that are advise to move out of GEP classes and finally they did at Primary 5 or 6.

So what I am trying to get at here is your child get into GEP doesn't mean you have to be in the ninth cloud, and if your child doesn't, it's not the end
Your first post a bit misleading lah. That's why I asked because it would be a bit incredulous that the whole cohort doesn't do well. Of course there'll be a few who don't do that well, but for majority to make it to IP schools means that the results were very good.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376977https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376977Wed, 09 Mar 2011 05:04:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:28:58 GMT]]>It supposed to be thinkng. But they cannot escape the school trying to get them to do well in PSLE for KPI seek.


But there are also comment from some parents that GEP also teaches Secondary School stuff in Primary.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376518https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376518Tue, 08 Mar 2011 15:28:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:18:52 GMT]]>

JonC:
Namely,

GEP Classes
Good Classes
Mixed Ability Classes
Not so good Classes.

There are some freak cases where big part of the whole GEP cohort didn't do that well as expected but still squeeze into IP schools, while good classes, mixed ability classes and few missed out gems from not so good classes did better.

So never rule anyone out until the result is out at PSLE. So tell yourself and your kids, do not be disheartened.

Its always the last laugh is the loudest.

Edited: In BOLD
Just want to correct the general misunderstanding about the GEP, it is not a program to train you for PSLE. Anyway, PSLE is just PSLE, just an exam that all smart kids can do well through tonnes of drill. The GEP teach the kids HOW TO THINK, not WHAT TO THINK, hence, some of them may not do as well unless they do drills like the rest do.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376472https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/376472Tue, 08 Mar 2011 14:18:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:26:08 GMT]]>Don’t get so excited lah. It’s "some" freak cases (reasonably large number compare to previous history) of the whole cohort, not the whole cohort lah. Probably its the way I phrase it is not so correct.


Their don’t do well means didn’t get the expected results, but their results are so much better and could still squeeze to IP school lah.

Do you also know that there is also GEP that are advise to move out of GEP classes and finally they did at Primary 5 or 6.

So what I am trying to get at here is your child get into GEP doesn’t mean you have to be in the ninth cloud, and if your child doesn’t, it’s not the end

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368839https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368839Sun, 27 Feb 2011 13:26:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:33:13 GMT]]>

JonC:
Namely,

GEP Classes
Good Classes
Mixed Ability Classes
Not so good Classes.

There are some freak cases where the whole GEP cohort didn't do that well as expected, while good classes, mixed ability classes and few missed out gems from not so good classes did better.

So never rule anyone out until the result is out at PSLE. So tell yourself and your kids, do not be disheartened.

Its always the last laugh is the loudest.
Whole GEP cohort? Which school is that?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368744https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368744Sun, 27 Feb 2011 07:33:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:37:34 GMT]]>it is normal for school’s to concentrate on the top 15% and bottom 15%.


Anyway, if you child faces any problems…He/she can always request for additional help from the teachers after school. Teachers won’t reject her.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368722https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368722Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:37:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:25:18 GMT]]>

JonC:
Namely,

GEP Classes
Good Classes
Mixed Ability Classes
Not so good Classes.

There are some freak cases where the whole GEP cohort didn't do that well as expected, while good classes, mixed ability classes and few missed out gems from not so good classes did better.

So never rule anyone out until the result is out at PSLE. So tell yourself and your kids, do not be disheartened.

Its always the last laugh is the loudest.
Well said. :salute: 不到最后关头，不知鹿死谁手.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368715https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368715Sun, 27 Feb 2011 06:25:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 05:59:11 GMT]]>Namely,

GEP Classes
Good Classes
Mixed Ability Classes
Not so good Classes.

There are some freak cases where big part of the whole GEP cohort didn't do that well as expected but still squeeze into IP schools, while good classes, mixed ability classes and few missed out gems from not so good classes did better.

So never rule anyone out until the result is out at PSLE. So tell yourself and your kids, do not be disheartened.

Its always the last laugh is the loudest.

Edited: In BOLD

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368703https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/368703Sun, 27 Feb 2011 05:59:11 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:24:07 GMT]]>

cwk:
Hi,


Recently found out that the Pri Sch that my girl is studying is not being fair to all the students. What happen was the school started to stream P1 students and the better ones will make it to the top 3 class in P2. The rest of the classes made up of \"mixed ability\" pupils. And those in the top 3 classes the school is giving them supplementary (not remedial) lessons twice a week after normal school hours for their English and Maths. As for the rest of the classes, they are not given supplementary lessons except for the weaker students whom are required to attend remedial lessons. While I can understand the school's reason to stream students of different learning ability to different classes, I cannot fathom why the school needs to give supplementary lessons to these supposedly better students while little is being done to the rest. It seems like the school is paying more attention to these group of students which is kind of like tyring to \"groom\" them.

My concern is with this kind of system in place, the better students will be better while those in the mixed ability class will fall behind. It's like the income inequality - the rich becomes richer while the poor will stay poor or become poorer. sigh...
My guess is that the school is training them for the GEP selection test in P3. That's why the supplementary lessons are only for English and Maths. Many of the GEP schools do that.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367856https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367856Fri, 25 Feb 2011 07:24:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:21:17 GMT]]>

Chenonceau:

Hahaha! This is funny!

To each his own I guess. Little Boy's school has a lot of supplementary but he was so unhappy that I pulled him out. He doesn't need it. He's already scoring in the 90s. If I put him through it, he will begin to hate school.
Regarding extra classes, I don't mind especially if it's a course I intended to enrol my child anyway. Eg. external vendors conducting Maths Olympiad training.
It's more convenient since conducted in school compound. Of course parents must be given the option to choose whether to sign up. It should not be made compulsory.

However, I don't think it's necessary to attend 'compulsory' supplementary classes. Especially if the child is doing alright in that particular subject. Time could be better spend elsewhere on other activities

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367636https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367636Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:21:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:07:44 GMT]]>

sleepy:
Oh, in that case, my dd's school is fair :scratchhead: - zero remedial or supplementary classes for everyone, regardless of results!


Entirely up to parents to decide whether to provide enrichments/tuitions & of course out of our own pockets la
Hahaha! This is funny!

To each his own I guess. Little Boy's school has a lot of supplementary but he was so unhappy that I pulled him out. He doesn't need it. He's already scoring in the 90s. If I put him through it, he will begin to hate school.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367626https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367626Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:07:44 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:03:53 GMT]]>Oh, in that case, my dd's school is fair :scratchhead: - zero remedial or supplementary classes for everyone, regardless of results!


They didn't stream the students based on results. The top 10 students are spread out in cohort.

Entirely up to parents to decide whether to provide enrichments/tuitions & of course out of our own pockets la

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367623https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367623Fri, 25 Feb 2011 04:03:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:44:57 GMT]]>

JonC:
Sorry if I sound insulting, even those who didn't attend supplementary or remedial, ask them to go remedial will be too boring and ask them to go supplementary, they may not know what is happening and sometime the more advanced method or info may even confuse them.

More lessons does not mean more learning. More lessons can actually lead to worse results because the child is bored and loses his motivation. Whatever happened to a balanced lifestyle? More salt is not better.

In this system, you're damned if you're good because they make you sit through MORE lessons... You're damned if you're bad 'cos they leave you behind.

The question about fairness becomes irrelevant in the light of the stupidity of what is happening. And this thing is happening because school principals and teachers all wanna get promoted. Our kids have become either slaves (for the glory of schools, Principals and Teachers) or disposables (to be discarded).

This whole thing arises because of incentives, bonuses, appraisals, rankings etc... HR management systems from USA that has lead to major burnout rates in US companies AND have unintended consequences.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367590https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367590Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:44:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:18:40 GMT]]>Sorry if I sound insulting, even those who didn’t attend supplementary or remedial, ask them to go remedial will be too boring and ask them to go supplementary, they may not know what is happening and sometime the more advanced method or info may even confuse them.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367551https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367551Fri, 25 Feb 2011 03:18:40 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Fri, 25 Feb 2011 02:41:29 GMT]]>From the positive point of view:


Since those are considered more capable pupils, it is more beneficial to give them more to match their capabilities. For less capable ones, give them more may overload them.

From negative point of view:

These group of pupils have higher chance to shine the name of the school, create some points in KSP academic score chart, or featured in some media. So, the return is higher for limited resources.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367515https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367515Fri, 25 Feb 2011 02:41:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:24:31 GMT]]>‘All animals are equal but some are more equal than others’

- from "Animal Farm"


Conclusion - go where you can be a BIG FISH in small pond rather than small fish in BIG POND. Big fish more equal.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367268https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367268Thu, 24 Feb 2011 16:24:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:51:50 GMT]]>

tankee:
Since when the world is fair? :?

some have it more fair than fair

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367233https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367233Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:51:50 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:03:19 GMT]]>Since when the world is fair? :?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367169https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367169Thu, 24 Feb 2011 15:03:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:39:55 GMT]]>I dunno abt whether the bottom classes do have supp classes or not in the lower primarylevels.

but something interest me, as for my gal's sch when she was in P6,
the worst class was taught by the HOD in maths.

while in P3, she had the \"most lazy\" teacher for teaching the best class. 😉

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367148https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367148Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:39:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:34:08 GMT]]>There's no point complaining about fairness; whether the stream is at P1, or to IP schools after PSLE, the fact remains that the academically inclined students are usually given such privileges.


The question I have rather, is why the need for extra hours for these students? I used to teach a top streamed P2 class, and already in the class I was doing enrichment level work since the syllabus was too simple for the kids. The Principal I worked for insisted that I hold extra classes for my students despite my telling her that my curriculum time lessons were already at enrichment level. She was adamant that I had to hold extra classes because the other P2 classes had remedial for the weaker students, so I had to clock in the same number of hours for these academically strong ones!

Internally, I was going :stupid: :stupid: :stupid:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367142https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367142Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:34:08 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:27:52 GMT]]>From what I know the top 3 &r bottom 3 classes would be equipped with the best teachers to supervise. Those in the centre are in the safe zone.

Perhaps you may want to clarify with the Principal & FT?

Do share with us this is which Pri Sch?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367135https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367135Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:27:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:25:53 GMT]]>I mean all pay the same amount of school fees but why this kind of privilege to the better ones? I just don’t understand the rationale for it. Maybe teachers or principals who are reading this can shed some light?

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367131https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367131Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:25:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Is it fair? on Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:24:38 GMT]]>I thought this is quite a common practice in Singapore schools, even neighborhood schools. Just that some school start this arrangement at a higher level (eg. at P3)

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367128https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/367128Thu, 24 Feb 2011 14:24:38 GMT