<![CDATA[Key changes to exams and assessments]]>

zac's mum:

I’m all for this minor “new” system so that the kids aren’t immediately loaded with lesssons. They have 1 week to settle in, then formally start lessons in Week 1.
when the kids were in primary school, there were several forms to fill.

because of week 0, there is an additional week of school. march holidays are usually middle of march, but now it's postponed 1 week later. I guess week 0 is fun for lower primary kids because those in mid-upper primary levels will have lessons. daughter in sec 3 has 3 pages of math hw, 9 pages of editing from day 2 of school.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/92671/key-changes-to-exams-and-assessmentsRSS for NodeThu, 23 Apr 2026 23:23:59 GMTTue, 22 Jan 2019 04:59:53 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Mon, 21 Jan 2019 06:40:07 GMT]]>Week 0 is for all the kids (regardless of which year) to have “orientation” icebreakers and settle admin/housekeeping stuff like who sits where, get used to their writing new register number, bring their heavy books batch by batch to store in school etc etc etc. It’s also helpful for parents as we have countless admin paperwork to organize, sign and submit!


I’m all for this minor “new” system so that the kids aren’t immediately loaded with lesssons. They have 1 week to settle in, then formally start lessons in Week 1.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1895461https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1895461Mon, 21 Jan 2019 06:40:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Mon, 21 Jan 2019 06:13:48 GMT]]>

janet88:
there should be KEY changes to the education system.


school started on 2/1/19 Wednesday. however, this is not considered term 1 week 1. however, it is term 1 week 0 :siao:
what's the rationale? p1s do not have exams anyway. march holidays will be starting 18/3 instead.
today is the beginning of week 3, which should be week 4. although i'm not the one attending school, I feel like it's forever 😢
whose :censored: idea is it to have TERM 1 WEEK 0???
So call it week 0 or week 1....any difference? Sorry, I'm confused.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1895457https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1895457Mon, 21 Jan 2019 06:13:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Mon, 21 Jan 2019 05:45:09 GMT]]>there should be KEY changes to the education system.


school started on 2/1/19 Wednesday. however, this is not considered term 1 week 1. however, it is term 1 week 0 :siao:
what's the rationale? p1s do not have exams anyway. march holidays will be starting 18/3 instead.
today is the beginning of week 3, which should be week 4. although i'm not the one attending school, I feel like it's forever 😢
whose :censored: idea is it to have TERM 1 WEEK 0???

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1895451https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1895451Mon, 21 Jan 2019 05:45:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Thu, 10 Jan 2019 13:58:53 GMT]]>

pirate:
I think the implication is that the road changes. Like sometimes a rock may fall and block it, or it may disappear due to a landslide.


If you ask me, I say not only the road changes, but sometimes the destination also changes. At age X you may want to go to mountaintop A, but at age Y you may decide that you would rather be at B instead. 😉

But you may have a problem if kiddo tells you that it does not matter in the end because in a few billion years the sun would burn out and everything would be gone anyway. 🤷
:rotflmao: You have a good point there. Sigh... teaching kids these days requires knowledge of astronomy... 😂

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893866https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893866Thu, 10 Jan 2019 13:58:53 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Thu, 10 Jan 2019 13:06:52 GMT]]>

zac's mum:

I’m happy to hear that she has removed the P3 MYE ahead of MOE’s deadline. And for her assurance that - although the SA2 weightage is 60% - the rationale is to let the kids have the first 3 terms to adjust to their new class + one extra subject. And although the SA2 weightage looks scary, the kids will ALL be promoted en-bloc to P4. So there is zero consequence even if they do badly. Teachers and parents to keep a close eye on the kids’ understanding of the topics all throughout the year (feedback will be given, remedial will be provided for those needing help).
having 3 terms to adjust to a new class + a new subject is really wonderful!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893857https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893857Thu, 10 Jan 2019 13:06:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:46:14 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu:
The thing that relearning implies is initial failure. And the only road to success is relearning. All roads to success have some kind of roadblock. Some obstacles are bigger than others. It is very seldom, perhaps never, that we can accomplish success without trials. This is something that our children need to learn, the sooner the better.

I think the implication is that the road changes. Like sometimes a rock may fall and block it, or it may disappear due to a landslide.

If you ask me, I say not only the road changes, but sometimes the destination also changes. At age X you may want to go to mountaintop A, but at age Y you may decide that you would rather be at B instead. 😉

But you may have a problem if kiddo tells you that it does not matter in the end because in a few billion years the sun would burn out and everything would be gone anyway. 🤷

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893833https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893833Thu, 10 Jan 2019 09:46:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Wed, 09 Jan 2019 13:28:36 GMT]]>The thing that relearning implies is initial failure. And the only road to success is relearning. All roads to success have some kind of roadblock. Some obstacles are bigger than others. It is very seldom, perhaps never, that we can accomplish success without trials. This is something that our children need to learn, the sooner the better.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893690https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893690Wed, 09 Jan 2019 13:28:36 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:30:10 GMT]]>

zac's mum:
Yup. I am also waiting to see what my P3’s assessment schedule will look like. Hoping for better than MOE’s guideline because my P has a record of being more holistic & a heart of concern for the kids’ wellbeing.

Attended the briefing for P3 parents today, where the P had a chance to explain the changes face-to-face.

I’m happy to hear that she has removed the P3 MYE ahead of MOE’s deadline. And for her assurance that - although the SA2 weightage is 60% - the rationale is to let the kids have the first 3 terms to adjust to their new class + one extra subject. And although the SA2 weightage looks scary, the kids will ALL be promoted en-bloc to P4. So there is zero consequence even if they do badly. Teachers and parents to keep a close eye on the kids’ understanding of the topics all throughout the year (feedback will be given, remedial will be provided for those needing help).

Science is being taught as hands-on fun, in the computer lab, outdoors, in the science lab, they ask the kids to bring toys and practise their classification skills. Maybe I’m still not jaded enough yet but I believe Science is not as boring as memorizing keywords keywords and keywords for exams (like what plenty of other mums tell me). I believe the school when they say the kids all love science lessons. Or maybe they just hate science written exams 😆

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893688https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893688Wed, 09 Jan 2019 12:30:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Tue, 08 Jan 2019 11:41:10 GMT]]>I am always reminding my kids to learn something new everyday and to widen their comfort zone as much as possible.


Always sharing with them that the reality is that learning gets harder with age. They are at their prime of learning and must embrace change, challenge themselves to new experiences and be willing to work hard. When they step out to society to work, they should not confine themselves to their job scope. Must be willing to do more and always be looking to do the same work in a more efficient and/or effective way.

They need to be very disciplined in always adding/creating value to themselves.

天天向上

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893577https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893577Tue, 08 Jan 2019 11:41:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Tue, 08 Jan 2019 10:13:54 GMT]]>@ slmkhoo I agree with you. One must not always expect upward rewards in remuneration. Granted we were capable of a certain remuneration when young into the workforce & usually one rise thro performance. When we’re young, we’ll need to start off our lives, our new family needs or care for our elderly.


However, during the period of our emplymt, we shld accumulate some savings to buffer uneventful (I know the millennia’s night debate on this). When the uneventful turns up, hopefully we’re able to step down our expectations, unless we’ve overcommitted ourselves. There will be continued needs & pressure on homefront, but s’times taking on a smaller pay pkt may give some relieve till retraining or ano good opportunity comes along.

Life is dynamic. Change is certain in our time & age. It’s happening globally, not one caused just by our own yard. Keeping our minds & skills relevant & sharp shld be an attitude to hold to. A lot depends on our mindset & resilience to bounce back & get active in society. When you search hard enuf, u’ll find lots of pockets of opportunities to contribute to society & find yr new calling & happiness. We’ve seen many change track fr being lawyers to successful F&B bz or run education facilities tho with medical training, etc.

I’ve started asking my kids what do they want to do in their life & how/where wld they find interesting ways to do things that are meaningful to society? That hopefully helps them create new ideas to work themselves usefully in their community (even if it’ll be a global community).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893560https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893560Tue, 08 Jan 2019 10:13:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Tue, 08 Jan 2019 09:38:28 GMT]]>

pirate:
Coolkidsrock2:

Read somewhere that the illiterate of the 21st century is those who do not know how to re-invent themselves, i.e. learn, unlearn and relearn.


The problem is not the unlearning and relearning. The problem is after that, one may have to restart from the bottom again.

If employers give some credit for maturity and general work experience, although you may have to start lower, it shouldn't be from the absolute bottom. Often, when we unlearn, relearn etc in later life, it is somewhat related to what we already know. In which case, again, it may not be necessary to start from the absolute bottom. But we have to get away from the mindset that life/career/earnings should be a constant upward trajectory through life. Some downward steps periodically, especially after any kind of career switch or in later life, should be expected.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893553https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893553Tue, 08 Jan 2019 09:38:28 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Tue, 08 Jan 2019 06:10:16 GMT]]>

pirate:
Coolkidsrock2:

Read somewhere that the illiterate of the 21st century is those who do not know how to re-invent themselves, i.e. learn, unlearn and relearn.


The problem is not the unlearning and relearning. The problem is after that, one may have to restart from the bottom again.

If this is being constantly/consistently practiced, then one will likely have acquired more skills-set/experience so that starting from the bottom is less likely.

But if this is being practiced at the last minute, then one may not have the sufficient skill-set.

It is important to anticipate, lead and manage change in order not to be overwhelm by it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893521https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893521Tue, 08 Jan 2019 06:10:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Mon, 07 Jan 2019 02:16:15 GMT]]>

Cloud Cloud:
My girl just started her primary journey. Still waiting for school to provide the details on the tests and exams. But so far so good, she enjoys school and her teachers seem like the caring kind.

your daughter is lucky. niece has a culture shock from kindergarten to p1. teachers are not 'honey darling'.

I don't know about all k2 teachers in kindergartens, but given that p1 is formal schooling, the transition can be a culture shock for many kids - new friends, new teachers, new environment and not to forget homework and longer school hours. all these added up can be a big adjustment to a young child.
if the p1 teachers are not the warm and motherly kind, that is additional stress.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893338https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893338Mon, 07 Jan 2019 02:16:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Sun, 06 Jan 2019 11:21:19 GMT]]>My girl just started her primary journey. Still waiting for school to provide the details on the tests and exams. But so far so good, she enjoys school and her teachers seem like the caring kind.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893290https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893290Sun, 06 Jan 2019 11:21:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Sun, 06 Jan 2019 10:54:07 GMT]]>

Coolkidsrock2:
Read somewhere that the illiterate of the 21st century is those who do not know how to re-invent themselves, i.e. learn, unlearn and relearn.

The problem is not the unlearning and relearning. The problem is after that, one may have to restart from the bottom again.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893287https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893287Sun, 06 Jan 2019 10:54:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Sat, 05 Jan 2019 10:28:23 GMT]]>Read somewhere that the illiterate of the 21st century is those who do not know how to re-invent themselves, i.e. learn, unlearn and relearn.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893203https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893203Sat, 05 Jan 2019 10:28:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Fri, 04 Jan 2019 09:11:27 GMT]]>I really like the move to remove the class and level position. I think that such comparisons breeds an unhealthy spirit of competition, where students do not seek to improve themselves, but rather seek to do better than their peers. It also adds unneeded stress on the students.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893055https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1893055Fri, 04 Jan 2019 09:11:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Fri, 04 Jan 2019 03:19:02 GMT]]>I think some parents fail to really know the real reason of what MOE is trying to do for ‘education’ in preparation of future employment needs (the AI and many new / unknown jobs that do not exist today 10-20 years later).


To me, it’s really about freeing and growing the child’s brain to be what each brain can really be instead of ‘boxing’ them in a more linear way from preschool onward by tuition, ‘study hard’, practicing assessments, etc. The creative part of the brain will likely or almost certainly be ‘destroyed’ once ‘hard wiring’ is to be used on kids from young. MOE for sure knows what all these chasing of ‘best results’ have been doing to the kids’ brains when such chasing start as young as preschool years and they trying to stop the ‘trend’.

Most of us are able to excel despite minimal parental guidance when young coz our brains were free to develop during our time. We figured out many things on own. The newer generation is mostly ‘guided’ into a narrower ‘A+’ path and if these kids fail to reinvent themselves in face of changes, then they are likely to face job-match, retrenchment, etc issues in their adult years (then they may start to blame ‘why I have so good results and hardworking but still cannot keep a job’).

The crux of removing exams is really to relieve stress for the brain to ‘wonder’ more and develop in its rightful neuron sense. It is therefore up to parents to see whether they want to continue to ‘box’ such development by trying to ‘catch up’ on their own with assessment after assessment at home.

*think the main worry of some parents is that if they do not develop good study habits when their kids are young, then the kids may not have this good habit when they grow up. It’s not easy to rid this worry. Personally I feel as long as the kids are developed with good character, all things will fall in place once they become more matured and will ‘automatically’ handle their responsibilities (such as study) on own (with tuition only where necessary instead of ‘a must’).

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892994https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892994Fri, 04 Jan 2019 03:19:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Fri, 04 Jan 2019 02:35:27 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu:
pirate:

You misunderstand. Kiasu is fine. But kiasu to the point that your children become unduly stressed by exams and school? Then you are probably doing something wrong. Just remember, there are no prizes for burn-out too.


Thank you. Actually from your response, I would think we share the same thoughts about kiasuness being a spectrum. You are right in saying that the limit is whether our children can take our mentality. But how would we know if we are way off track? It's scary.

Communication? I think if parents do not know that they are way off track (not just slightly off track), then they either do not know their children very well or have not been communicating with them, or both.

One of the easiest observations: has the child been throwing inexplicable tantrums over little things or become withdrawn lately? If yes, the child is probably stressed.

I also subscribe to the belief that if we expect our child to get results that are better than the average of my and my spouse's results at the same age, we are probably being unreasonable. If we expect results better than the both of ours, we are almost certainly unreasonable. We can hope for it, but we should neither expect or worse, push for it.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892985https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892985Fri, 04 Jan 2019 02:35:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Fri, 04 Jan 2019 00:49:16 GMT]]>

MrsKiasu:
I m too lax..just gave warning to them..still playing hard, out of control :nunchuk:

2nd day of school...daughter was loaded with homework. teachers are no nonsense type.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892974https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892974Fri, 04 Jan 2019 00:49:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Thu, 03 Jan 2019 14:13:42 GMT]]>I m too lax..just gave warning to them..still playing hard, out of control :nunchuk:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892928https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892928Thu, 03 Jan 2019 14:13:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Thu, 03 Jan 2019 13:49:30 GMT]]>it’s really hard to find that mid point.

when I was preparing son for psle, I wanted to stretch him a little more but was very worried it crossed the line till the point he snapped.
yes, it’s VERY scary.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892919https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892919Thu, 03 Jan 2019 13:49:30 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Key changes to exams and assessments on Thu, 03 Jan 2019 13:40:14 GMT]]>

pirate:
You misunderstand. Kiasu is fine. But kiasu to the point that your children become unduly stressed by exams and school? Then you are probably doing something wrong. Just remember, there are no prizes for burn-out too.

Thank you. Actually from your response, I would think we share the same thoughts about kiasuness being a spectrum. You are right in saying that the limit is whether our children can take our mentality. But how would we know if we are way off track? It's scary.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892917https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1892917Thu, 03 Jan 2019 13:40:14 GMT