Is GEP really necessary?

[Edureach]

PiggyLalala:

Hi 2ppaamm,

I think DSA, EEIS and smaller class size for the GEPpers are perks to entice parents especially parents who are not risk takers like myself, and those families like us that need the EESIS :moneyflies: for the independent schools to the GE program. Whether such resources are given to the GEPpers is fair, this is debatable. If such perks are not available to the GEPpers, I think i would not give consent for ds to join the program.

As a mother, one of my wish is that my sons can have a good tertiary education (it would be good if they secure a good scholarship). For that to happen, I would then put my boys in secondary schools where the chances of doing well in A level are higher. This would mean that my boys should aim for a good IP schools, which also then mean that my boys need a good PSLE score, say > 262. To me, it means, they have to do equally well for ALL 4 subjects in PSLE. This implies that my boys need to be drilled on his weaker subjects. I think the pupils in the mainstream, at least, in my son's primary school, are well drilled to perform well in their PSLE. However, this is not in the case of GEPpers though they may have a more interesting program.

So without the perks, I would have a more difficult time in making the decisions for my boys at P3. Also, I really hope that whatever changes made to the GEP, it should not and it is NOT FAIR to affect the current P4 to P6 GEPpers. I will be :stompfeet: :frustrated: if it does.

- a simple mother's thinking/wish.

I understand your situation as outlined above and also delighed to hear your story.

On this occassion, i also want to comment on the issue of achieving T-score of above 262 not to debate but for the benefits of readers in general. In RI, the above 80 percentile are indeed very bright naturally and they discuss about the possibilities of studying in top ranked unis overseas with and without top scholarships. Those within the 50-80 percentile also hve their dreams and this grp continues to do well in their A-levels every yr. The problem is those at the bottom 20 percentile, about 250 students each yr struggling to perform decently.

On the issue of scoring above 262 and having a higher chance of performing well at RI vis-a-vis other IP schools, this pt is debatable at best as there's no evidence to suggest that it is accurate. I cannot draw any conclusion, but my experience tells me that a student with a score hoving around 265 would be better in another good school as opposed to RI unless he lives near his dream school. Just to give u an example, a student who scored 8 A1s in O-levels doesn't mean much in this school unless he gets something else to offer. The 265 scorer will be clamouring to gain attention in the most competitive school. Scholarship panels in general treat every applicant as equal irrespective of the jcs. Apart from RI and HCI, there are another 7 jcs even excluding NUSH and ACSI that are producing students capable of winning scholarships or securing the most competive courses in medicine, dentistry, law and accountancy etc. Many of these jcs' tutors were once students of leading schools. Do not also forget that good ccas and evedence of leadership are aslo required. The quality of the teaching faculty in at least the top 15 schools are equal, no such thing as RI is more superior in this area hence higher chance of securing better results. You could be suprised that many RI students attend external tuitions.

We parents know our kids best as heighted in this forun by many parents. All in all, we need to pray for wisdom.

In this thread, there are invaluable articles contributed by 2ppaamm, chenonceau and many others. I hve learnt something and so do many others.

[Melodies]

Care to share if TTLT programme is open to all schools or just the selected schools and for which levels? what's type of enriched materials?


TIA

comfy:

Hi Chenonceau,
Good news! I heard from one of friends, that her ds (mainstream, top few classes) has two teachers teaching 1 class and the materials are enriched too. Some of the top few classes are offered TTLT programme that cater for students who are interested and have potential in English and Math. So I think the education system is changing for the better.

[Chenonceau]

comfy:

Hi Chenonceau,
Good news! I heard from one of friends, that her ds (mainstream, top few classes) has two teachers teaching 1 class and the materials are enriched too. Some of the top few classes are offered TTLT programme that cater for students who are interested and have potential in English and Math. So I think the education system is changing for the better.

This is indeed good news.

I am not sure if these are CHANGES. Some schools already practice this anyway. It depends on the school. The quality of teaching from school to school can be very different. One Mommy from a neighborhood school tells me that in HER school, the top 2 classes have 25 students. In my DS' school, the bottom 2 classes have 2 teachers and 25 students. Then, top 2 classes have 40... and loads of tuition.

If you know which school has 25 students per class for the whole level from top class to bottom class... it would be good to share the name of the school. Then, next year's P1 parents know where to enroll. This way, there'll be less pressure on the traditional \"good\" primary schools and better gauge of quality.

[comfy]

Melodies:

Care to share if TTLT programme is open to all schools or just the selected schools and for which levels? what's type of enriched materials?


TIA

comfy:

Hi Chenonceau,
Good news! I heard from one of friends, that her ds (mainstream, top few classes) has two teachers teaching 1 class and the materials are enriched too. Some of the top few classes are offered TTLT programme that cater for students who are interested and have potential in English and Math. So I think the education system is changing for the better.

I only know of 1 school but heard of similar programs from other parents. At that time, didn't bother to ask. So perhaps can check with schools. For this school,it is opened to P4 students. Sorry cannot provided more info regarding the materials as I din talked much about it with my friend. Just heard from her that it is not bad.

[Melodies]

O I hope that one of the teacher is not a trainee. My dd’s school has a trainee teacher in her p1 class for a few months? What is TTLT by the way?


TIA

[comfy]

Chenonceau:

comfy:

Hi Chenonceau,
Good news! I heard from one of friends, that her ds (mainstream, top few classes) has two teachers teaching 1 class and the materials are enriched too. Some of the top few classes are offered TTLT programme that cater for students who are interested and have potential in English and Math. So I think the education system is changing for the better.

This is indeed good news.

I am not sure if these are CHANGES. Some schools already practice this anyway. It depends on the school. The quality of teaching from school to school can be very different. One Mommy from a neighborhood school tells me that in HER school, the top 2 classes have 25 students. In my DS' school, the bottom 2 classes have 2 teachers and 25 students. Then, top 2 classes have 40... and loads of tuition.

If you know which school has 25 students per class for the whole level from top class to bottom class... it would be good to share the name of the school. Then, next year's P1 parents know where to enroll. This way, there'll be less pressure on the traditional \"good\" primary schools and better gauge of quality.

Sure, no problem.

[comfy]

Melodies:

O I hope that one of the teacher is not a trainee. My dd's school has a trainee teacher in her p1 class for a few months? What is TTLT by the way?


TIA

TTLT means Thinkers Today, Leaders Tomorrow.

[2ppaamm]

Melodies:

O I hope that one of the teacher is not a trainee. My dd's school has a trainee teacher in her p1 class for a few months? What is TTLT by the way?


TIA

Just chip in here. I know of a GEP class that had a rookie Math teacher to teach English for the whole year. So now you know what I mean by comical when she didn't understand my son's vocab. :evil:

Many GEP parents say the GEP teachers are better. Can I ask how so, because from my experience, they are no different from the mainstream. Do they have special qualifications, training or is there a ranking system for MOE teachers and the best are sent to teach GEP? So 'better' means what?

[PiggyLalala]

comfy:

Hi PigglyLalala,
Actually, the benefits of GEP I know of when my DD was selected for GEP are the smaller class size, interesting child-center learning, excellent teachers and no class position at the end of the year exam. Nothing about DSA & ESSIS and whatever other privileges! So I am really surprised to hear about all these. Ha...intend to find out more since there are parents out there keep on saying so MANY benefits/privilieges. No harm know about these since my kid is in the programme. Yes, all the best to your DC PSLE next year.

It is the same case as in my ds1. I was also not aware of DSA and EESIS for the Geppers. I remembered I clarify with the teachers a few times during the P6 PTM.

[2ppaamm]

PiggyLalala:

comfy:

Hi PigglyLalala,
Actually, the benefits of GEP I know of when my DD was selected for GEP are the smaller class size, interesting child-center learning, excellent teachers and no class position at the end of the year exam. Nothing about DSA & ESSIS and whatever other privileges! So I am really surprised to hear about all these. Ha...intend to find out more since there are parents out there keep on saying so MANY benefits/privilieges. No harm know about these since my kid is in the programme. Yes, all the best to your DC PSLE next year.

It is the same case as in my ds1. I was also not aware of DSA and EESIS for the Geppers. I remembered I clarify with the teachers a few times during the P6 PTM.

What did the teachers say?