During my DD’s time, Onsponge was introduced in P4. It was a ‘white elephant’ as her Maths teacher ( that same form teacher) hardly touched on any topic. It was more for the parents to learn from the examples and teach their kids, I guess.


During P5, my DD got an experienced Maths teacher and she did teach the Onsponge Maths for about half a year along with the MPAH textbook, if I wasn’t mistaken. Then when the LRT (Learn-Revise-Test) Maths, practice papers created by RV maths dept, was introduced, this book became redundant.

Supportive Mum:

MdmGiveup, I am glad that the school finally take action against your child teacher. I guess it really needs a lot of writing to get the school listen to the real concern of the parents.

Yes indeed. It took an 'army' of parents and a long year before we succeeded. Enquiries were made to the Ministry too.
If our feedback had been taken seriously last year, the teacher's performance wouldn't have worsened over the months and the kids and their parents wouldn't have to suffer in silence. The teacher wouldn't have to face the harsh punishment too.
While I am grateful that the school had finally relented, I hope we have set a precedent for more fruitful resolutions in future.

If it is compulsory for school to organize overseas trips required by MOE as part of a holistic education, then the school can still arrange simple trips to nearby Malaysia. Do the pupils help to defray teachers’ expenses for such trips? Anyway, much of our money is already used to pay tutors liao, only some can afford to go Australia or Japan trips. If only we can depend on the school teachers and do not need private tutors…

‘I would think the overseas immersion is part of the holistic concept in developing the kids to be more well-rounded’.


Yes, I agree. What I mean is the ultimate needs of the pupils should be met first (having good teachers) before the school embarks on issues that are of less importance.
As an analogy, what’s the point of declaring a bonus if you can’t even afford to pay the basic salary.

I guess I know which MT teacher you are referring to, Supportive Mum.

He taught my DS1 HMT when he was in P5 5 years ago. Their descriptions matched exactly except that he wasn’t violent then.
This teacher is not very proficient in Chinese, be it on pronunciation or Chi character strokes and made frequent mistakes in marking. I wasn’t aware until my DS1 was in P6 and his HMT teacher corrected many of his 习字. Also, I had a hard time correcting his pronunciation on ‘si’ and ‘shi’, ‘zi’ and ‘zhi’, etc. I kept the P5 活动本 for my DD’s reference and realized that this teacher had made many mistakes in his markings.
Supportive Mum, I can empathize with your situation, especially when your child is already in P6. Hope the teacher can be replaced, as everyday in school is crucial for the P6 now.
Otherwise, I hope the school can get feedback from parents at least twice a year in future and conduct appraisals to access the capabilities of their teachers before promoting them. Even teachers can feedback about their fellow colleagues ( though sensitive).
School leaders, please channel your energy to give us more competent teachers rather than spending your time organizing those impressive overseas immersion trips. The kids have plenty of opportunities to do overseas CIP in sec sch in future, which are more meaningful.

Indeed. In my opinion, the school should


(1) Re-train their Maths teachers the new or updated methods of problem solving rather than using the ‘guess and check’ method’. They are more efficient and effective.

(2) For English, the teachers should brush up their composition skill as I feel that many of them are not trained to teach creative writing. Also, they should implement a systematic way of teaching grammar and vocabulary on top of the stellar method.

(3) For Science, the pupils should be taught how to answer the structured questions in the manner that is in line with PSLE requirement. Most of the time, the pupils know the answer but are unable to present it completely to obtain the full marks.

I am glad that the school has taken a rather drastic action against the form teacher whom I mentioned earlier. Just hope that our kids can gain more knowledge henceforth, even if it’s for less than 3 months before the PSLE.

Thanks concern 2, I read. There are cases around that are even worse. So I will just hope for the better…

You are right! As an observer, you will tend to see things more objectively. :salute:


Hmm...WHAT is so important about projects that a competent teacher can be so distracted and neglects his/her role as a teacher, unless he/she is eyeing for a promotion?? :yikes:

Generally within a system, a chinese proverb comes to mind: If upper pillars are tilted, the lower ones will be crooked.

Thank you so much :snuggles: , concern2, for your blessings and the constructive idea. I am hesitant as I may have to end up clarifying homework with him perpetually as I doubt he will get the hints that marking is an essential part of teaching. Then I will be the 'prime suspect' for any complaints later (kiasee). :nailbite:


Last year he told the class his work schedule was very tight. Some parents highlighted to the school (I got to read the emails) but nothing was done. I just learned that recently they have requested the school to re-assess the situation as it has worsened ( even took > 4 weeks to mark compositions without much constructive comments, if any). Hopefully the school can help him to help us and our kids.

This process of teaching should never be repeated for the next batch of pupils.

I will try not to give up but in another independent case a few years back, a parent sent an email to the school to complain about a P6 teacher's irresponsible actions, with pupils as witnesses to support her statements, the school agreed to investigate. To her horror, that teacher was promoted to a HOD the following year and teaching the same level (P5 & P6) but a class of slightly different rank. :siao:

I shall be patient and wait upon the school's reply. Hopefully, we won't be disappointed again so that I can post some positive remarks about Rivervale!