Networking Group - JCs General
-
My daughter will be in the arts stream. The GP is compulsory H1, unless her H1 math is better. Biz faculty still needs H1 math in their criteria. This means she just have to focus on her 3H2 and GP and have a pass in math, Chinese and PW?
-
GP (General Paper) is a COMPULSORY H1 subject, under our Singapore (SEAB) A-level marking scheme ( system ).
But,
if you are taking A-level in Kuala Lumpur instead of in Singapore, not sure whether … GP is compulsory.
If u scrutinize some Institution(s) of Higher learning preparing their students for A-level in KL, some of these Institutions don’t offer any GP. -
axcel\" post_id=\"2127316\" time=\"1705490487\" user_id=\"92240:
GP, is compulsory H1 subject.
My daughter will be in the arts stream. The GP is compulsory H1, unless her H1 math is better. Biz faculty still needs H1 math in their criteria. This means she just have to focus on her 3H2 and GP and have a pass in math, Chinese and PW?
Chinese : minimum, D7
PW : pass or fail
H1 Maths, for \"Arts\" stream students : if u do well, it will enhance your overall RP.
But, if don't do well, no impact to the overall RP.
RP : Rank points -
I suppose if student gets B for all three H2 and A for H1 + GP and pass PW, the H1 grade will improve the RP.
4th subj can still help the overall. -
I am speaking as a parent whose kids did not have bad results and CCAs so it's normal for others to expect me to \"accept what the system offers\".
I dread to see the day that kids must get AAA or AAB to gain U admissions. To me, nothing to be ashamed of if the kid gets a certification from ITE, BBB for A levels, being unable to enter U after poly diploma, or switching from one course to another. If the kid is genuine about his/ her interests (interests = strong motivator), and yet the doors are closed unless one has AAA/ AAB combinations above for all areas of interests, it's time to find out what went wrong.
MOE recently said kids have to be given space to grow and be independent but I see many scholarships explicitly fixated on excellent results and CCAs. Teaching qualities aren't uniform and CCA trials are not always created fair these days. Alignments are badly needed. We can argue that many other attributes are subjective, but there are others that are at least partially not and yet, not included. We can also argue that \"unfortunately there must be some benchmarks for scholarships\". Unlikely affecting the well heeled (and I assume that we here are from the \"middle class\"). However, scholarships are increasingly becoming high stakes avenues when the spectre of tertiary education costs (among the total costs of living) and underemployments stack up. Competitions are ok and I believe we should encourage kids to put their best foot forward but in Porter's world, it's also about bringing down the intensity of competitions that reach unhealthy levels.
Kids these days have to contend with issues on class and unlevel playing fields too. Scholarship criteria largely ignore these elements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pDdd16XtIY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8frwa5JdaQ
Then areas that no one broaches, e.g. not that all female undergrads are ok but there are those after sugar daddies to fund their studies. -
Option\" post_id=\"2127358\" time=\"1705549583\" user_id=\"185249:
I am speaking as a parent whose kids did not have bad results and CCAs so it's normal for others to expect me to \"accept what the system offers\".
I dread to see the day that kids must get AAA or AAB to gain U admissions. To me, nothing to be ashamed of if the kid gets a certification from ITE, BBB for A levels, being unable to enter U after poly diploma, or switching from one course to another. If the kid is genuine about his/ her interests (interests = strong motivator), and yet the doors are closed unless one has AAA/ AAB combinations above for all areas of interests, it's time to find out what went wrong.
MOE recently said kids have to be given space to grow and be independent but I see many scholarships explicitly fixated on excellent results and CCAs. Teaching qualities aren't uniform and CCA trials are not always created fair these days. Alignments are badly needed. We can argue that many other attributes are subjective, but there are others that are at least partially not and yet, not included. We can also argue that \"unfortunately there must be some benchmarks for scholarships\". Unlikely affecting the well heeled (and I assume that we here are from the \"middle class\"). However, scholarships are increasingly becoming high stakes avenues when the spectre of tertiary education costs (among the total costs of living) and underemployments stack up. Competitions are ok and I believe we should encourage kids to put their best foot forward but in Porter's world, it's also about bringing down the intensity of competitions that reach unhealthy levels.
Kids these days have to contend with issues on class and unlevel playing fields too. Scholarship criteria largely ignore these elements.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_pDdd16XtIY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P8frwa5JdaQ
Then areas that no one broaches, e.g. not that all female undergrads are ok but there are those after sugar daddies to fund their studies.
I have this perspective: there are other places around the world where graduates cannot find jobs. And they have to their own set of social ill to deal with daily. If ABB can’t get my kids into the popular Uni course they want, then they can settle for the 2nd choice. If no scholarships, then settle for more affordable alternatives. Our children can still make decent living in Singapore even they are not the top. And there are always opportunities to upgrade later in life. My boss was a lawyer. Now he has to start learning again on new domains in AI/data analytics.
Agree we should constantly strive for improvement of system. We are already seeing many good changes in our education systems in past years. but at the same time I always remind myself whatever we have achieved around us are not a given, not an entitlement. -
bbbay\" post_id=\"2127412\" time=\"1705623566\" user_id=\"175278:
Yes, I fully agree with the perspective on vying for popular courses. I get the impression that we are heading towards having AAA or AAB for 2nd or even 3rd choice courses even under the new system. By the time we move to a 3rd choice course, how far in terms of interest and motivation are we away from a 1st or 2nd choice course ?
I have this perspective: there are other places around the world where graduates cannot find jobs. And they have to their own set of social ill to deal with daily. If ABB can’t get my kids into the popular Uni course they want, then they can settle for the 2nd choice. If no scholarships, then settle for more affordable alternatives. Our children can still make decent living in Singapore even they are not the top. And there are always opportunities to upgrade later in life. My boss was a lawyer. Now he has to start learning again on new domains in AI/data analytics.
Agree we should constantly strive for improvement of system. We are already seeing many good changes in our education systems in past years. but at the same time I always remind myself whatever we have achieved around us are not a given, not an entitlement.
Next, I address the issue of 90 points vs 70 points. That's a drastic change. So if we assume we have been/ are supportive of the rationales the ministry has given for a 90 point system, what stronger reasons do we have for a drastic change ? I am not a champion of a 90 point system. It is like saying we run \"one last year\" with 90 points, then we make a drastic change the following year to 70 points (within a year and literally from the 31 Dec of 1 year to the 1 Jan of another). Why ? Is the substantial rise of mental health issues among the young one of the factors with the current system ? or other compelling and detailed issues not foreseen ? If not foreseen, why ? Without going back to see what we missed, how do we know if we won't miss other critical signposts down the line ?
Yes, if no scholarship look for cheaper alternatives, and that is from a non-ministerial perspective. The ministry has to adopt a view that the role of education is not just about content/ programs. Though not all local contents/ programs locally are great and we don't have to always chase after what others think are. The example of upgrades later in life is not discounted too but that too is from a non-ministerial perspective. Education from a ministerial perspective should include ingraining values that will last a lifetime including integrity by actions, not words . In addition and not of lesser priority, it's about fulfilling the role to be a social leveller.
Contrary to the popular belief that scholarships get one to the top, not all are in this bracket anymore. Even MOE has begun using the term \"scholarships\" loosely since years ago. For example, we have hordes of students who met certain academic/ achievement standards to get a couple of hundreds of dollars scholarship awards per year. I do not see our education has improved in the past years, but as a lists of pluses and minuses at each stage. The observations in the videos I highlighted earlier are meant to point out that not all is well and without having honest, non- defensive, and deep mindsets on what education means, real improvements are hard to come.
Yes, what we have is not a given, and not an entitlement but this criteria applies to everyone, not only students and parents. -
May be it got to do with lower birth rates and fewer P1 and sec 1 enrolment in Singapore.
Extracted from Today (end 2017):
Primary 1 enrollment nationwide has been on the decline since 2000, when it peaked at over 50,000. This year (end 2017), it fell to a record low of 37,500, statistics from the Ministry of Education (MOE) showed.
Similarly, the number of students entering Secondary 1 is on the slide. This year (end 2017), about 35,000 pupils embarked on their secondary school education — the lowest since 1960, when enrollment was 20,842.
~~~~~~~~
We used to have close to 50k P1 enrolment. Now we have only 38k.
Reducing admission criteria is aligned with the annoucement of more places in local uni open for singapore residents.
Extracted OP:
Next, I address the issue of 90 points vs 70 points. That’s a drastic change. So if we assume we have been/ are supportive of the rationales the ministry has given for a 90 point system, what stronger reasons do we have for a drastic change ? I am not a champion of a 90 point system. It is like saying we run "one last year" with 90 points, then we make a drastic change the following year to 70 points (within a year and literally from the 31 Dec of 1 year to the 1 Jan of another). Why ? Is the substantial rise of mental health issues among the young one of the factors with the current system ? or other compelling and detailed issues not foreseen ? If not foreseen, why ? Without going back to see what we missed, how do we know if we won’t miss other critical signposts down the line ? -
.
-
The change allows the criteria to become less stringent. The students can focus on only 3 subjects and no need to go after A in pw. Students can breathe. Why not. The focus shld be for wellbeing of our students.
With 70rp, how it affect the cut off is unknown. But retaining uni std is impt too. With less to do, does not equate to lower std, but high student quality can still be expected.
one got ABBB if studying for 4 subjects does not mean same person will get ABB if studying for only 3 subjects. With more joy in learning, more breathing space, this person could get AAB.
Why it was 90rp? Who knows. There was a need back then. More competition for fewer places, students are only book smart but no project experience. Needed to push them to do more. But now, most students are used to doing projects and presentations. No need to slice so finely.
Low birth rate is one big factor. With fewer children, we needed more high quality outcomes. Change of types of children now in new gen also contributed to change in approach. Most are savvy in many ways now.
Edited
Hello! It looks like you're interested in this conversation, but you don't have an account yet.
Getting fed up of having to scroll through the same posts each visit? When you register for an account, you'll always come back to exactly where you were before, and choose to be notified of new replies (either via email, or push notification). You'll also be able to save bookmarks and upvote posts to show your appreciation to other community members.
With your input, this post could be even better 💗
Register Login