Secondary 2 Streaming

[Funz]

slmkhoo:

Funz:

Actually, I was just commenting that there are too many subjects in Sec sch. Why are the kids tested on so many things? Why can't they be taught all these subjects but choose only to register and take the subjects that is relevant to what they want to pursue? Of course the basics of English and Math is a must but if I am a humanities student, why must I still pass a science and vice versa for that matter.

Unfortunately, there are probably too many students who will not pay attention to non-exam subjects. And breadth is still important at sec school as it's very basic. I regret that my daughter did not take science in Singapore sec school as we were overseas. The science she did was so general and simple that she really lacks a lot of what I consider very basic knowledge. Not that it mattered to her in her academic progress because she is inclined to humanities, but just for general living. My other daughter had a lot to catch up in Maths and Science to join sec 2. As long as poly/JC entry doesn't require all 8 subjects, I guess it still works out ok. Most students, like your daughter, will focus on the key ones which they need, and do less work for the rest.

For your children's case, it was because they were taught at a very general and basic level compared to our curriculum. Even if they had been tested, does not mean they will have what you consider basic knowledge as they were not taught enough.

I am inclined to think that passing exams need not be the benchmark for basic knowledge gained. Passing exams involve a lot more than having the basic knowledge, it involves being able to present the answers in the way that the examiners are looking for. It involves a lot of exam tactics. And honestly by sec school, the sciences that they are doing is more than basic knowledge material.

While we can say it does not matter as most will be like my dd, focusing on the key subs, there are many kids who are studying till the wee hours so that they ace all 8/9 even 10 subs and there are so many parents who feel that kids have to pass all the subs. If there can be a shift on emphasis on exams, maybe kids and parents can be less stressed.

[sharonkhoo]

Funz:

I am inclined to think that passing exams need not be the benchmark for basic knowledge gained. Passing exams involve a lot more than having the basic knowledge, it involves being able to present the answers in the way that the examiners are looking for. It involves a lot of exam tactics. And honestly by sec school, the sciences that they are doing is more than basic knowledge material.


While we can say it does not matter as most will be like my dd, focusing on the key subs, there are many kids who are studying till the wee hours so that they ace all 8/9 even 10 subs and there are so many parents who feel that kids have to pass all the subs. If there can be a shift on emphasis on exams, maybe kids and parents can be less stressed.

I agree that exams need not be the benchmark, but I guess the fear is that not testing the kids will mean they won't pay attention at all? I also feel sorry for those kids whose parents make them study so hard for all subjects, at the expense of adequate rest and, for some, mental health. I think the shift has to come as much from parents as from the education system. If parents can be like you, to tell the child to focus on the subjects which matter to her rather than every subject, then children should be less stressed? The education system already doesn't count every single subject, but considers only 6 subjects studied at O level, even though most students take a couple of additional subjects for redundancy and general education. Parents are not as powerless as they make out - even when I was taking O levels, and when the education system was arguably far more rigid, I had classmates whose parents told them that they only needed to focus on the subjects that they intended to count in their aggregate score, while my own parents expected me to aim for A's in every single subject.

[janet88]

phtthp:

Janet,


If your girl do POA (principle of accounts), is useful bec next time can do Accountancy Diploma in Poly

although POA is different from math, it's still numbers. she flunked math and POA is a compulsory subject :frustrated: :roll:
technical subjects are not her forte.

[hercules]

slmkhoo:

I had classmates whose parents told them that they only needed to focus on the subjects that they intended to count in their aggregate score, while my own parents expected me to aim for A's in every single subject.

Many would really study hard instead of study smart.

I was very liberal with my own kids' education (as long as they did their homework and got about 60 for their sec school results and I didn't receive 'complaints' from teachers).

My girl took 9 subjects for O levels, scored 8As and 1 B with the B in Third Lang. She did so relatively easily with only tuition for about 4 months in Third Lang prior to exam. She feels studies are 'easy'.

My boy took 7 subjects and failed maybe 3 subjects (think Physics, Chem, and Chinese) in Sec 3. I allowed him to drop Chinese in Sec 4 (meaning attending classes but didn't need to study for exam and allowed to fail). He went for about 6 months of science group tuition in a neighbourhood tuition centre (about $100/month), about 10 min walk from my house. He did well for his O levels with L1R4 around 10 at the end and went to his dream course in Poly. (he did get a C5 for Chinese at the end instead of failing. He told me he didn't want to have a failed subject in his transcript (and so that was what he wanted instead of what I wanted. Only he himself knew how much time he had to hit his own target and to play (must always have time to play). Able to take an exam knowing that it's OK to fail think it's a great relief.).

Those who are not 'natural students' like my girl may want to think of 'dropping subjects' and focus on the important ones (never mind about sometimes teachers may nag). Attend classes of those 'dropped subjects' for knowledge sake instead of passing sake then life will be much happier and easier for all.

Next year will be my nephew taking O levels. He is stronger in Math/Science (4 As for Sec 3). He is a in-between of my girl and boy as he feels Math/Science are easy but Humanities are awful. I am still thinking of whether to ask him to drop one subject (either Chinese of Lit) and just focus on total 6 to hit his own target for ACJC for a start (we mostly will choose schools closest to home). To really aim for straight As may mean he has to put in more time in studies but I think this time can be used more beneficially for him to play (relax the brain before studying for core subjects).

Similarly for my slower 8 years old grand niece. Any math problems that I assess may require me to teach her more than 3 - 5 times till she 'maybe' can grasp I will discard those questions. Just not worth the time that she better spends in playing while we concentrate on basic concepts that are sufficient to allow her to pass.

Personally, I will never trade children's entitled play time with study time if I have to choose between the two coz I value 'childhood memories' that should not be mainly made up of books.

*For older children, the 'play' may include working. My son started part time work since 15 in every of his Dec school holidays (instead of going for O Levels Crash Course) and daughter started since 16. Son started with distributing flyers at about $5 - 6 / hour and girl worked as a sales person. Subsequently when son was taller, he could work as a waiter or as a kitchen helper. When he was in UK studying, he also worked about 18 hours / week waitering (think at about 6 - 7 pounds per hour). That didnt stop him from getting his first class (I assessed UK / US system load is about 60% of what Sporean kids are having and so 40% of free time is a lot if don't spend working). He came back happy with a lot of savings (that he put some in his CPF Medisave to deduct his medishield premium) and culinary skills much better than me.

There are really so much that a kid can develop during growing up years.

[nms1]

But at primary school level you can’t ‘drop’ anything so allowing her to just pass may be risky if she is aiming for Express. It means she has to be confident of very high scores in the other subjects.

[hercules]

nms1:

But at primary school level you can't 'drop' anything so allowing her to just pass may be risky if she is aiming for Express. It means she has to be confident of very high scores in the other subjects.

Pr school only 4 subjects and so difficult to drop any. Kids do have ample time to study for these 4 subjects with meaningful play if time can be utilised efficiently.

I assessed my grand niece as 'slower' and so now is aiming for her NA in her affiliated school. This aim may change as I continue to observe her. Basically she is big enough for me to explain to her about her mild dyslexia problem and some basic knowledge about brain wave and what she may do when she starts to read numerals / words that doesn't make sense to her. I need her to accept her condition and overcome it without feeling panic/inferior / stupid (her dyslexia will flare up more when she feels tired / anxious / stressed).

If the aim is express for her, then my coaching of her will be at a higher level but to me is totally no point at the moment. I will never lost sight of her happy childhood with results within her capabilities.

[janet88]

hercules:

I assessed my grand niece as 'slower' and so now is aiming for her NA in her affiliated school. This aim may change as I continue to observe her. Basically she is big enough for me to explain to her about her mild dyslexia problem and some basic knowledge about brain wave and what she may do when she starts to read numerals / words that doesn't make sense to her. I need her to accept her condition and overcome it without feeling panic/inferior / stupid (her dyslexia will flare up more when she feels tired / anxious / stressed).

If the aim is express for her, then my coaching of her will be at a higher level but to me is totally no point at the moment. I will never lost sight of her happy childhood with results within her capabilities.

in primary school, there is no way one can drop English, math and science...but if there is a medical reason, then the student will be exempted from MT.
in sec 1, one has to take all the subjects and ART is graded. it has been a tough 2 years. fortunately hubby is able to handle the kids' art subject.
daughter is weak in math & science...i'm trying to convince her social studies is not going to be easy. if she takes POA, she will struggle with math, science, ss and POA. science is a combination of physics and chemistry.

[phtthp]

Hi Janet,


How your daughter find her Sec 2 Chemistry school Tr ? Is Tr clear in explaining Chemistry concepts ?

[hercules]

janet88:

daughter is weak in math & science...i'm trying to convince her social studies is not going to be easy. if she takes POA, she will struggle with math, science, ss and POA. science is a combination of physics and chemistry.

The math used in POA is very basic one (nothing complex as long as one can do simple add, minus, times, and divide). It is actually a good subject to take to know the basics of Assets and Liabilities for financial knowledge. It is a subject that can benefit her for life. In fact, I think she may score well in it! (coz she finally realises 'math in actions / applications' and learn to appreciate math more as compared to learning sine and cosine etc).

[phtthp]

POA is useful and important, because provide the basic & foundation theory & understanding, towards Accounting background. Not many Secondary schools offer POA, unfortunately.