New L1R4 system for JC entry

[sharonkhoo]

@zac-s-mum said in New L1R4 system for JC entry:

With 1-2 subjects less, the school day can end earlier (or the students have a few more free periods per week), and also fewer papers to study for every term. My son has more free time than the triple science students. He uses his free time at home to learn German & Bahasa Indonesia online, draw anime on his PLD with stylus, and play around with BandLab compositions. Plus watch History documentaries during hols.

That’s great for kids who have the means, support and initiative to explore beyond school. But on a nation-wide perspective, it would probably be better for the population as a whole for at least some to be provided in school for those who would otherwise not be able to access these extras.

[floppy]

@Imp75 @zac-s-mum

Realistically, anyone who is taking only E math and 1 science subject is not suitable for the JC science stream, unless the student is prepared to put in double hard work. 6 subjects combo is possible only if the student is ok to take Econs as one of the 4 subjects in JC (science, math, economics, humanities). Not sure if that’s a “normal” subject offering in JC.

[SG_KP1]

@slmkhoo said in New L1R4 system for JC entry:

That’s great for kids who have the means, support and initiative to explore beyond school. But on a nation-wide perspective, it would probably be better for the population as a whole for at least some to be provided in school for those who would otherwise not be able to access these extras.

Bingo. The resourceful are never lacking opportunities. School based programmes do a better job of making opportunities available to all (although that isn’t always the case based on selection/merit/etc).

[zac's mum]

@slmkhoo They do have. Eg the ALP Applied Learning Program (https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/schools-offering-full-sbb/school-specific-opportunities/applied-learning-programme) - my son’s school has:
Secondary 1: Story-telling Workshops
Secondary 2: Drama and Theatre Exposure linked to Literature text
Secondary 3: Debates and Drama Workshops, Theatre Exposure

And LLP Learning for Life program (https://www.moe.gov.sg/secondary/schools-offering-full-sbb/school-specific-opportunities/learning-for-life-programme) - my son’s school has (under Building Character through Sports and Outdoor Education):
Sec 1: 3D2N school camp including 10km hike.
Sec 2: Learning Festival where the kids choose from a range of subjects they are interested in. My son’s school chose the History-related one, which was a small-scale Learning Journey to Kent Ridge Park to learn about the Battle of Bukit Panjang.
Sec 3: OBS Camp, with PE lessons prior to the actual camp consisting of tent-pitching and outdoor cooking of instant noodles/porridge in mess tins.

On top of that, every term they have (during HBL week), a Student-Initiated Learning program, where they choose from a large variety of topics they want to research/learn in-depth, and they find the resources themselves, do the small project, and submit a short report on SLS after it.

[sharonkhoo]

@zac-s-mum Wow! Certainly very different from my day! I haven’t had contact with sec schools since my own time - things have certainly changed.

[zac's mum]

@slmkhoo Yes, these are opportunities that are given (compulsory participation, with leeway to choose your interest) to all students in the school. This is great because the “talent development programs” are only for a tiny handful.

[bbbay]

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[bbbay]

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[Imp75]

@floppy
Seems like JC either needs to dumb down the current syllabus or qualifying criteria or do away with science or arts stream to cater to the masses with this new L1R4 requirements. Perhaps also bring back commerce stream and make MI a regular JC again with 2-year track?

[doodbug]

@floppy said in New L1R4 system for JC entry:

@Imp75 @zac-s-mum

Realistically, anyone who is taking only E math and 1 science subject is not suitable for the JC science stream, unless the student is prepared to put in double hard work. 6 subjects combo is possible only if the student is ok to take Econs as one of the 4 subjects in JC (science, math, economics, humanities). Not sure if that’s a “normal” subject offering in JC.

I agree. Perhaps it is a remnant of my own trauma with A levels - I find the SG A levels intense, voluminous and difficult. Nothing is insurmountable for the determined, but without the corresponding O level full science foundation and building a capacity to mug, I’m not sure if the student will enjoy the A level science stream.

One of my kids took Phy, Maths Econs, History. So yes it is still classed as a Science stream offering - once you take a H2 Science, you are classed as a Science student in JC.