<![CDATA[A Letter from ST Forum]]>Mods, my apologies if you have to do the extra work of moving this post to the relevant thread. I comtemplated putting it in the Maris Stella thread, but feel that it is not exactly related to the school itself, so decided to post in Chit Chat. Please feel free to move it to anywhere you deem fit. Thanks in advance.


My thoughts after reading this article is that this particular parent is being ridiculous. :x As if he/she didn't know from the very beginning that Maris Stella is a SAP school and does he/she expect ALL the Chinese teachers from the school from P1 to P6 to teach Chinese using English just because his/her son is a non-Chinese? :?

To me, if one is a non-Chinese and you know that your child would have problem coping with Chinese as a second language in a normal school, what more about a SAP school which uses Higher Chinese from P1? Why send your child to a SAP school in the first place and and expect the school to bend backwards just to accommodate your child?

The online comments are so appropriate!

http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/Story/STIStory_506220.html

Mar 25, 2010 The Straits Times
How Chinese minus English spoilt it all

MY SON, eight, is in Primary 2 in Maris Stella High. Primary 1 was a breeze for him. Not only was he among the top three pupils in English and Mathematics, but he was among the best third in Chinese in a mother tongue class of 36.

He is one of the few non-Chinese, if not the only one in his class, to study the language.

It changed when he started Primary 2. From a cheerful and bubbly boy eager to go to school, he became gloomy and sad. The reason was Chinese.

A few weeks ago, he came home crying because his new Chinese teacher refused to speak in English. It was made worse by the fact that my son had enjoyed learning Chinese in Primary 1.

Who will suffer? No one but my son because he will not understand 90 per cent of what his teacher is saying.

Amit Nagpal

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/topic/9726/a-letter-from-st-forumRSS for NodeSun, 19 Apr 2026 01:58:04 GMTThu, 25 Mar 2010 01:34:42 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Wed, 28 Feb 2018 05:32:18 GMT]]>

Guest:
auntieM:

Oops...soli but I was referring to trend now, not related to thread.. ..paiseh :offtopic: .


No problem, as citizens, I simply cannot tahan being taken for a ride by these people! :x If you say Singapore is a good place to stay, then by all means, convert to citizenship, why sit on the fence to enjoy best of two worlds? :roll:


Hi,
just couldnt help to post here after reading this.
I had a friend who is PR here. Her family (husband and kids are Citizens). She is alone PR.
I asked her why she never convert .. She mentioned that when her husband convert to citizen earlier then no issue..
now for her to convert to citizen she might hv to sell the property at her hometown (she mentioned that we need to declare overseas property or cannot have overseas property, it was long ago i dont remember)

Currently the rates are so depleted at her town that she could not sell them even though she wants to . Once she convert to citizen, she cannot hold much of ancestral property in her country (esp farmhouses, resorts). She doesnot want to do it illegally... She mentioned that if she sells now she doesnot even get 1/4th of the price and that one when converted to sgd will be peanuts that will not help her anyway

Sometimes ppl hv their own problems.. which cannot be solved immediately..

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1835827https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/1835827Wed, 28 Feb 2018 05:32:18 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:15:31 GMT]]>

tutormum:
Actually hor, they are using Singapore as a stepping stone. It's no secret that they are making use of our education system to propel their children to uni in America or UK lah. That's what all my foreign students' parents told me. By the time their boys get their O levels, they are out of here - just before they are called up for NS (when they have to decide to stay or not = convert to citizens). It's like you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Once there's no need for that, bye. 😛 :siam:

:goodpost: That seems to be the norm with these PRs. In fact, I have also heard of similar stories. \"I want the Singapore education for my child, but no way will I allow him to serve NS. By the time he reaches NS age, we would have returned to our home country\". :roll: :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148392https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148392Sun, 28 Mar 2010 00:15:31 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:26:39 GMT]]>Actually hor, they are using Singapore as a stepping stone. It's no secret that they are making use of our education system to propel their children to uni in America or UK lah. That's what all my foreign students' parents told me. By the time their boys get their O levels, they are out of here - just before they are called up for NS (when they have to decide to stay or not = convert to citizens). It's like you scratch my back and I'll scratch yours. Once there's no need for that, bye. 😛 :siam:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148270https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148270Sat, 27 Mar 2010 15:26:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:16:13 GMT]]>

25hourmaid:

No problem, as citizens, I simply cannot tahan being taken for a ride by these people! :x If you say Singapore is a good place to stay, then by all means, convert to citizenship, why sit on the fence to enjoy best of two worlds? :roll:
So true!

These guys have to realize, the policies are NOT MEANT TO DISCRIMINATE against PRs.

But there has to be PRIVILEGES FOR CITIZENS. Otherwise, who's going to stick around during hard times?

So if they want the privileges, then join us. Have a stake in the country by being a citizen!

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148152https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148152Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:16:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:00:51 GMT]]>

25hourmaid:

No problem, as citizens, I simply cannot tahan being taken for a ride by these people! :x If you say Singapore is a good place to stay, then by all means, convert to citizenship, why sit on the fence to enjoy best of two worlds? :roll:
you answered your own question ..... \"to enjoy best of two worlds\"

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148143https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148143Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:00:51 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:16:10 GMT]]>

auntieM:
Oops...soli but I was referring to trend now, not related to thread.. ..paiseh :offtopic: .

No problem, as citizens, I simply cannot tahan being taken for a ride by these people! :x If you say Singapore is a good place to stay, then by all means, convert to citizenship, why sit on the fence to enjoy best of two worlds? :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148119https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148119Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:16:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:12:09 GMT]]>

25hourmaid:
auntieM:

Seems like attention on mainland chinese PR swifting to Indian PR.. .


This thread was never about the mainland Chinese PR from the very beginning. It was about a thick skinned Indian PR having the cheek to write to the press to express his/her displeasure over a SAP school's teaching of Higher Chinese to his/her precious son, expecting the whole system to bend to suit their needs! :roll: When in the first place, whose fault was it to send his/her precious non-Chinese son to a SAp School? :roll: :roll:

Oops...soli but I was referring to trend now, not related to thread.. ..paiseh :offtopic: .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148117https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148117Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:12:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:09:58 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
you're right, maid. maybe we shld find a way to shove that st article in their face n save them havg to write a letter.

I am very sure they must have read that letter and have taken the points into consideration to \"help them prepare theirs when the time comes\" and I can bet that they are also awaiting the reply from MS, so perhaps maybe they can also turn their attention to MS in the future , depending on the reply given by MS? :roll:

Too bad there aren't a lot of condos near MS. 😓
mathsparks:
and how to explain to his son shld he not get a place? my take, \"Sorry dear, it didnt occur to mum n dad that we shld've applied for citizenship. It's our fault that you didnt get a place. We shldnt have taken the country for a ride.\"
Good one, maybe we must write to the Press to give them a model answer to reply to their son :roll: to save them some headaches? Aren't I glad that the govt came up with the 2 : 1 ballot for P1s for citizens and PRs! :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148116https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148116Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:09:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:03:09 GMT]]>

auntieM:
Seems like attention on mainland chinese PR swifting to Indian PR.. .

This thread was never about the mainland Chinese PR from the very beginning. It was about a thick skinned Indian PR having the cheek to write to the press to express his/her displeasure over a SAP school's teaching of Higher Chinese to his/her precious son, expecting the whole system to bend to suit their needs! :roll: When in the first place, whose fault was it to send his/her precious non-Chinese son to a SAP School? :roll: :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148113https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148113Sat, 27 Mar 2010 08:03:09 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:49:22 GMT]]>you’re right, maid. maybe we shld find a way to shove that st article in their face n save them havg to write a letter.


and how to explain to his son shld he not get a place? my take, "Sorry dear, it didnt occur to mum n dad that we shld’ve applied for citizenship. It’s our fault that you didnt get a place. We shldnt have taken the country for a ride."

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148078https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148078Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:49:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:46:23 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
In 2 days, this topic has grown so many pages.


Today's ST featured an Indian PR family who moved to Marine Parade to be near Tao Nan and Ngee Ann Pri. They're lamenting the fact that with the recent changes, their 3 yr old may not get a place in either of the schools.

This looks like another MS story in the making. Indian boy makes it to TNS, only to realise its higher chinese from yr1. Dad writes to the press. and the debate begins all over again.
Seems like attention on mainland chinese PR swifting to Indian PR.. .

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148077https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148077Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:46:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:38:49 GMT]]>

mathsparks:
In 2 days, this topic has grown so many pages.


Today's ST featured an Indian PR family who moved to Marine Parade to be near Tao Nan and Ngee Ann Pri. They're lamenting the fact that with the recent changes, their 3 yr old may not get a place in either of the schools.

This looks like another MS story in the making. Indian boy makes it to TNS, only to realise its higher chinese from yr1. Dad writes to the press. and the debate begins all over again.
^5 mathsparks! Great minds think alike! I was thinking of the same thing when I read that article this morning! :roll:

Oh well, he's only 3 years old! It's at least 4 more years before he gets into P1 and the dad/mum has that period of time to think of how to compose a nice letter to the ST! :roll:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148071https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148071Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:38:49 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:25:23 GMT]]>In 2 days, this topic has grown so many pages.


Today’s ST featured an Indian PR family who moved to Marine Parade to be near Tao Nan and Ngee Ann Pri. They’re lamenting the fact that with the recent changes, their 3 yr old may not get a place in either of the schools.

This looks like another MS story in the making. Indian boy makes it to TNS, only to realise its higher chinese from yr1. Dad writes to the press. and the debate begins all over again.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148059https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/148059Sat, 27 Mar 2010 06:25:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:44:48 GMT]]>

raynreg:
Maybe can we have a general chat folder that opens up every month for all chatty parents to report there. That folder may just end up with the most number of pages in KSP forum ever....
Yes go here to chit chat until page 618:


http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=8710&start=3370

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147921https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147921Fri, 26 Mar 2010 17:44:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:53:55 GMT]]>Maybe can we have a general chat folder that opens up every month for all chatty parents to report there. That folder may just end up with the most number of pages in KSP forum ever…

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147861https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147861Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:53:55 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:52:23 GMT]]>class monitor 就是 class monitor, don't play play ..... :siam: Good Night! :snooze:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147860https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147860Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:52:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:47:42 GMT]]>Yah, before stroke of midnight only the warning comes..

Upon the striking hour, no one will be spared.. :rubhands:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147859https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147859Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:47:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:44:52 GMT]]>Thank you monitor for bringing out the cane at the right time! :love:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147855https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147855Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:44:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:42:56 GMT]]>

ChiefKiasu:
Blobbi:

... Oh uh, changing the subject to my favourtie topic, STICKY CHEWY CHOCOLATE!! :drool: The bad news is, I haven't had it yet, so you can imagine how I'm gonna be like afterwards!! *shudder*


I don't care what you have been (or will be) eating, Blobbi, but what you wrote is so sensible that it helped me detox my brain. :goodpost:

Detox? :!:

That's brutal honesty packed with lotsa sticky chewy chocs sweetness, my friends.

VERY VERY VERY GOOD POST! :celebrate:

For all that spit we kena... some kena me oso leh. Niwae, piang powderful ay!

Let's all play nice now.. :grphug: Agree to disagree, remember? 😉

Now, stop going off topic. :offtopic: Or i gotta go round caning :spank: some more of you out there... :evil:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147854https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147854Fri, 26 Mar 2010 15:42:56 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:08:33 GMT]]>

Busymom:
Sorry, 25hourmaid, :offtopic: , I :clubmyself: first.

Ya lor, this thread is becoming like a rojak thread, from SAP school to pink/blue IC, FT/PR, to even food at one stage. :lol:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147799https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147799Fri, 26 Mar 2010 14:08:33 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:38:27 GMT]]>

Blobbi:
outsider:

Hi Bobbi,

Can I copy this and paste in the \"The Expats will Rule S'pore\" Thread too 🙂

:lol: :lol:

Can. My basic message is : Mai(4) Hiam(2). It's Hokkien, but HYPY works just as well :).

Thanks, outsider, for copying Blobbi's excellent post and pasting it in the other thread... had been feeling lonely there at one point with just some others.. 😞

Really, if one has so much to \"hiam\", then don't make yourself miserable by continuing to live here. By the way, I am not directing this at the PRs/foreigners, but to any citizen who feels that way too.

Sorry, 25hourmaid, :offtopic: , I :clubmyself: first.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147778https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147778Fri, 26 Mar 2010 13:38:27 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:26:02 GMT]]>Time has changed already lah. During my time, I know nothing when I went to primary 1 and didn't do well (very blur at that time). I was fortunate that my father engaged a tutor for me and I learn to read from there. Then from P2 onwards, I became 'smart' and know how to study on my own. 😉 I also have the view of letting my sons enjoy their childhood and not pressurising them. In the end, the 2 elder boys were average in school. 😢 😢 Sometimes I do feel a bit guilty towards them. However, they are actually smart boys so even though they are not in U, who knows, they will be in the future. :dancing: I always tell them that as long as I'm able I'm here to support whatever they want to do and don't expect them to earn big money and buy big house for me. They have to be able to earn a decent living and support themselves. :love: :celebrate:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147547https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147547Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:26:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:04:07 GMT]]>I think whatever my P2 dd learn now is much more than what I had in my P4-5. :stupid:

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147500https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147500Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:04:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to A Letter from ST Forum on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:04:03 GMT]]>

lovekidsverymuch:
I agree with you but then also imagine sometimes the fear of exams are so much on kids or rather on parents that there can be some nervousness and with such a small kids its not fair for them to go thru all this.. though I know the system is such that there will be exams moving ahead but maybe by that time they r matured enuf to understand wat exams mean :?

As a mother, I was never really stressed up over exams and exam results and neither were my boys and yet, they have performed above average all these years.

]]>https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147499https://forum.kiasuparents.com/post/147499Fri, 26 Mar 2010 08:04:03 GMT