Child Underperforms Because Tested Above Cognitive Level
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phankao:
My son has no tuition. Beanbear gave up on tuition because after so much tuition, still fail. :stompfeet: So now, her son also has no tuition. Tuition or not, it is very clear that the school tests beyond what they teach so... kids need to access the material outside school either enriched from young or go for tuition and catch up.
But there are many kids who don't have tuition also, leh. Some kids don't even want to go bc they don't want more homework.Chenonceau:
DS' ex-Kumon teacher told me yesterday that many of her Kumon students stay in the neighbouring 3 and 4 room flats. On average according to her, these people spend $1500 a month on tuition. This is a big chunk of income on kids' education for families who stay in 4-room HDB.
Education in Singapore is not free if you're in mainstream. Classes are 40. Teachers teach more classes each. They have to write their own resources. They have no time for our kids. So, we need to either teach at home... OR we get tutors. The very poor have access to free tuition. The very rich can afford TLL. The GEP get special teaching. The masses in the middle are squeezed..
A teacher was actually VERY upfront. \"I can only teach you 60% of the exam. The rest you have to learn using assessment books.\" :yikes: But actually, I think the proportion is more \"I can only teach 40%.\" But that's my subjective feel lah... -
concern2:
Some schools make CCA compulsory at certain level, but if the academic subjects fall behind, the \"compulsory\" does not apply anymore.[/quote]But it is also true for the other end. If the student is gifted the \"compulsory\" does not apply anymore in dd's school.
Since when is CCA compulsory in Primary school? Not under MOE guidelines definitely. Probably only requirement at individual schools.phankao:
[quote=\"KSP\"]
I thought so too. But just realised dd's school CCA is not compulsory for GEPpers ONLY..... isn't it double standard? :?
Yes, dd's school indicated clearly in the handbook CCA is compulsory for P4 and above. -
KSP:
I dunno the numbers personally... it's one the lady told me. $1500 per family because got multiple subjects and multiple kids maybe... We were talking over a pile of cauliflowers in the store so no time to be very detailed.
Not family can affort 1k+ per month tuition. There are many home based tuition in the neighbourhood area charged $90 for 3 subjects (P1/2) and $120 for 4 subjects (P3 above).Chenonceau:
DS' ex-Kumon teacher told me yesterday that many of her Kumon students stay in the neighbouring 3 and 4 room flats. On average according to her, these people spend $1500 a month on tuition. This is a big chunk of income on kids' education for families who stay in 4-room HDB.
Education in Singapore is not free if you're in mainstream. Classes are 40. Teachers teach more classes each. They have to write their own resources. They have no time for our kids. So, we need to either teach at home... OR we get tutors. The very poor have access to free tuition. The very rich can afford TLL. The GEP get special teaching. The masses in the middle are squeezed.
Sounds familiar? Happens in housing... in healthcare... in unemployment.
It sounds like healthcare. There are gov polyclinics and private ones.
My guess is that those who CAN afford... will fork out money for good tuition even if it eats into long term savings rate. My neighbour gives Math tuition. She is VERY busy. -
KSP:
I thought so too. But just realised dd's school CCA is not compulsory for GEPpers ONLY..... isn't it double standard? :?[/quote]Just to correct a wrong perception... GEPpers have a compulsory CCA already in their curriculum and it is not even by choice.
I thought CCA is compulsory at least for upper primary? No? CCA at lower primary is more of elective and parents can choose not to go for it.bebe:
[quote=\"Chenonceau\"]
No... CCA is not compulsory in primary school. However, many parents like to strategise and pick the CCA for their child that will best beef up their portfolio in secondary school and for DSA. Secondary schools don't allow children to choose CCAs by interest alone. Kids are tested and screened and then put into the CCA, such that the school can use the best talent to win prizes.
Hence, you are more likely to get into the CCA of your choice in secondary school if you have been trained since primary school. -
ksi:
Just to correct a wrong perception... GEPpers have a compulsory CCA already in their curriculum and it is not even by choice.[/quote]
I thought so too. But just realised dd's school CCA is not compulsory for GEPpers ONLY..... isn't it double standard? :?KSP:
[quote=\"bebe\"]
I thought CCA is compulsory at least for upper primary? No? CCA at lower primary is more of elective and parents can choose not to go for it.
Yes, they have to stay back on some weekdays for some curriculum but definitely not sports or uniform group. The additional curriculum are all academic based. Not sure it is considered as part of CCA.
Perhaps the school does not want to overload these children and make an exception for them since they already have extra workload . -
Chenonceau:
:goodpost:DS' ex-Kumon teacher told me yesterday that many of her Kumon students stay in the neighbouring 3 and 4 room flats. On average according to her, these people spend $1500 a month on tuition. This is a big chunk of income on kids' education for families who stay in 4-room HDB.
Education in Singapore is not free if you're in mainstream. Classes are 40. Teachers teach more classes each. They have to write their own resources. They have no time for our kids. So, we need to either teach at home... OR we get tutors. The very poor have access to free tuition. The very rich can afford TLL. The GEP get special teaching. The masses in the middle are squeezed.
Sounds familiar? Happens in housing... in healthcare... in unemployment. -
ksi:
Poor GEP-pers... what if they dun like it? What CCA is compulsory for them anyway?
Just to correct a wrong perception... GEPpers have a compulsory CCA already in their curriculum and it is not even by choice. -
DD is P6 and she has no CCA since P1. But from P3 she was student leader and from P5 prefect. I dont know if prefect consider a CCA?
I agree with Chen our kids are test above cognitive level.
My DD is a good example. She is clever, focused and attentive. She has no tuition and all along she is doing very well by self study.
From P1 - P4, all subjects above 90. P5 after mid yr exam above 85. I got a wake up call after P5 CA2 for Maths, she got 76.
The last few problem sums were not taught in school and yet tested in CA2. As she had no tuition, she was not exposed to those type of qns. How do the teachers expect the kids to do those qns when they were not even taught.
The teachers assume and EXPECT all kids have tuition at home. Our kids are definitely tested on more than they are taught.
After CA2, we concentrated on difficult problems sums and SA2 she scored 93.
I totally agree with Chen that, if our kids are provided with the right resources and materials, they will excel. -
Fat Mama:
DD is P6 and she has no CCA since P1. But from P3 she was student leader and from P5 prefect. I dont know if prefect consider a CCA?
I agree with Chen our kids are test above cognitive level.
My DD is a good example. She is clever, focused and attentive. She has no tuition and all along she is doing very well by self study.
From P1 - P4, all subjects above 90. P5 after mid yr exam above 85. I got a wake up call after P5 CA2 for Maths, she got 76.
The last few problem sums were not taught in school and yet tested in CA2. As she had no tuition, she was not exposed to those type of qns. How do the teachers expect the kids to do those qns when they were not even taught.
The teachers assume and EXPECT all kids have tuition at home. Our kids are definitely tested on more than they are taught.
After CA2, we concentrated on difficult problems sums and SA2 she scored 93.
I totally agree with Chen that, if our kids are provided with the right resources and materials, they will excel.
Oh thank you! Thank you!
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Something to add on tuition, was reading this morning strait time. \"good news for the Toh boys\" their father comment that with the extra cash they could now look out for tuition, art n music class. He said his sons have many interests outside their studies .... Ironically, towards the end of the article, the spending priority is still his boy tuition( \"he now plan to send son2 to tuition n to look at getting son1 into a smaller tuition class, which will cost more that wat he is now paing\")
After reading the article, I feel heartache for the brothers n feel let down by our education system. Honestly if the school teach well, will they be deprive of getting a more enriched n holistic life :sad:
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