2012 PSLE Discussions and Strategy
-
psle2011mum:
Really. The only textbook I use is the Chinese text book, because I don't know better. The Math, English and Science texts are just meant to show support to the school. Btw, in case you are wondering. Yes, I still buy them just in case my kids decide to jump back into public school. And I still pay fees.Chenonceau:
psle2011mum...you're a blessing in more ways than one.
Thanks Chenonceau :hugs:
Commonsense should prevail and I for one take the view that we should not and need not be defined by what is told to us, \"compulsory\" textbooks included.
Secondary textbooks have more words and these textbook writers take it that most who use their books will be [and should be] on an independent learning path; hence they are written in a style which suits self-learning.
So yes, by all means, they are excellent resouces for those who can self-learn.
DD1's Sec 1 teacher recommended O-level Guide books when I asked for help with resources for DD1 to use on her own -- so that's what I bought for her from Sec 1 on. I'm all for anything that helps my kids learn on their own. -
psle2011mum:
This is my Utopia ...
In Teachers We Trust: An Interview with Finnish Education Expert Reijo Laukkanen
By Claus von Zastrow on September 29, 2008 for PUBLIC SCHOOL INSIGHTS
[See link at :http://www.learningfirst.org/teachers-we-trust-interview-finnish-education-expert-reijo-laukkanen]
Finland draws its teachers from the top 10 percent of college graduates, and teaching regularly beats out law or medicine as a top career choice among high performers. \"We can trust that [teachers] are competent,\" Laukkanen told us; \"They know what to do.\"
PUBLIC SCHOOL INSIGHTS: What do you think are some of the major reasons for [Finland's] success?
LAUKKANEN: Teachers. They are the most important [aspect of] Finnish success. But there's also other issues. The second one is that we take care of all our children. And the third big issue is that we have set our objectives or the standards of education high.
PUBLIC SCHOOL INSIGHTS: The concern here [in the United States] is often that national standards might limit the work of schools and teachers.
LAUKKANEN: I can understand the hesitation of some people in the USA [to support national standards] if they hesitate for that reason, because we have sometimes [asked] would it be better to set minimum objectives. And we have found out that it's not clever, because if you set minimum objectives for the schools you'll always reach low objectives. And that's why we set objectives high, and we never set objectives in the way that they would prevent teachers [from using] their own capacity to broaden education. We only talk about the objectives, not the methods of education. Because teachers, if they have high-level education, should be given leeway enough to use their own innovation capacity.
:
In Finland, they believe in taking care of all their kids and no one gets left out simply because everyone has a niche and that's what makes a society complete. Here, education is a competion. The amount of time our kids have to spend behind their books really kills creativity. There is actually so much more to learn beyond those assessment books. -
2ppaamm:
Wow! A true-blue live-in-the-ivory-tower minister. I was right when I said the only change would be for the worse when a new minister took over.the Education Minister was asked this very question. Why are we not looking at the Finland education system model, that is rated the best in the world, and adopting some of their policies?
His answer? He sent a person to study their system. But he also found out that they are here to study our system. The impression given was that we have a better system than theirs. Nothing short of surprising, as all teachers in Singapore claim that we have the best education system in the world, without proof, support or validation. -
rains:
:sad: The responsibility is now thrown back at the parents.
Wow! A true-blue live-in-the-ivory-tower minister. I was right when I said the only change would be for the worse when a new minister took over.2ppaamm:
the Education Minister was asked this very question. Why are we not looking at the Finland education system model, that is rated the best in the world, and adopting some of their policies?
His answer? He sent a person to study their system. But he also found out that they are here to study our system. The impression given was that we have a better system than theirs. Nothing short of surprising, as all teachers in Singapore claim that we have the best education system in the world, without proof, support or validation. -
Without the parents involvement, i don’t think Singapore Education system is where it is today.
I doubt MOE or the education minister are going to revamp the age old system (given today’s fast moving technology and thinking) since they know that the system by itself will be able to sustain naturally especially Singapore parents are kiasu who do not want their children to "fall" badly. -
laughingcat:
Wah, so happy to read this. Exactly my views! Yeah, somebody thinks like me! :hi5:Without the parents involvement, i don't think Singapore Education system is where it is today.
I doubt MOE or the education minister are going to revamp the age old system (given today's fast moving technology and thinking) since they know that the system by itself will be able to sustain naturally especially Singapore parents are kiasu who do not want their children to \"fall\" badly. -
Hi 2ppaamm,
I hear you clearly and i know what you are driving at. In fact i am totally freak out when i read your sharing on Hikkikomori thingi. That is why i PM you as i need your help. -
laughingcat:
Without the parents involvement, i don't think Singapore Education system is where it is today. I doubt MOE or the education minister are going to revamp the age old system (given today's fast moving technology and thinking) since they know that the system by itself will be able to sustain naturally especially Singapore parents are kiasu who do not want their children to \"fall\" badly.
:goodpost:
I suppose it's not the kiasu mentality but as parents, we do not want our kids to fall badly. If we decide to have children, we want the best for them and as a mum, would I have the heart to see my children fall ?
As Singaporeans, our kids will attend mainstream schools. Education Minister does not find anything wrong with the system...without parents, the system put in place will not succeed. -
rains:
No matter which minister takes over the education minister role, he/she will NEVER understand what parents on the ground level are experiencing. Our ministers seem to live in ivory towers.
Wow! A true-blue live-in-the-ivory-tower minister. I was right when I said the only change would be for the worse when a new minister took over.2ppaamm:
His answer? He sent a person to study their system. But he also found out that they are here to study our system. The impression given was that we have a better system than theirs. Nothing short of surprising, as all teachers in Singapore claim that we have the best education system in the world, without proof, support or validation.
-
janet_lee88:
No matter which minister takes over the education minister role, he/she will NEVER understand what parents on the ground level are experiencing. Our ministers seem to live in ivory towers.[/quote]Like all parents before us, we'll just have to cope ourselves. I'll never expect MOE to understand, be it syllabus, quality of teachers, their silly KPI system, that bell-curve effect. They are more busy boasting about our students' results - which the results of OUR (parents') hard work, and they only care about getting nationalistic values to our children. What about the kids' welfare? The kids' passion? The kids' potential? It is all back in our court. We've better buck up and look closely at these. It is our responsibility, not the government's to nurture our kids. And not withstanding we pay taxes. :scared:
Wow! A true-blue live-in-the-ivory-tower minister. I was right when I said the only change would be for the worse when a new minister took over.rains:
[quote=\"2ppaamm\"]His answer? He sent a person to study their system. But he also found out that they are here to study our system. The impression given was that we have a better system than theirs. Nothing short of surprising, as all teachers in Singapore claim that we have the best education system in the world, without proof, support or validation.
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login