[Serangoon] Primary Schools
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buzybuzz:
... I hope one day, all these phases (2A/2B) should be abolished and give each child an equal chance to admit to the school of their choice, base on proximity of their home.
Dear buzybuzz, every year, at this time, hundreds of parents will undergo an immense amount of stress. And every year, at this time, some of us will feel that the system is not fair.
It is never about what is fair. As long as demand is greater than supply, the supply must be allocated on some discriminatory basis, and when that happens, the 'haves' will think the system is fair, and 'have nots' will believe it is not and discriminates against them. And both sides are correct in their views!
It is about what is practical, and what is right.
1. In one extreme, some people feel that it is only fair that there be exactly 1 phase, and so everyone is subjected to the ballot should demand exceed supply. No distance prioritization. Based entirely on pure luck. Is that fair? Well, even luck is a commodity. Some people have more of it... others don't. Is it fair that some people have more luck than others?
2. In the other extreme, some people feel that allocation should be based on meritocracy. So simply subject the children to a test and only the best ones get selected to go to the school. Is that fair? So some kids are born smarter than others, and others have doting and dedicated parents who pull all stops to prepare their children for such a test. Is it fair to children with less resourceful parents?
3. In between these 2 extremes are various logical considerations that each institution have to make.
a. Schools want their students to carry on their traditions and teachings for continuity reasons. The bond between schools and their students is eternal - and if their ex-students send their kids to their old schools, it is the ultimate mark of success for the schools. They must have done something right if their graduates are proud enough to want their children to go through the same teachings as themselves. Logically, it makes sense to prefer children from ex-students for the schools.
b. Schools need a critical mass of a certain type of students to drive their fundamental teachings. Religious schools fall into this category. Logically, it makes sense to prefer children of the same religion for the schools.
c. Schools need assistance from affiliated groups that have founded them and financed them in various ways throughout the years. It has been a while and so it is easy for us to forget that some of the oldest schools in Singapore were built by groups of immigrants who pooled together their money so that their offsprings can be educated in a manner suitable for their own cultures. Logically, it makes sense for these schools to prefer children of members of their benefactor organisations.
d. As most schools receive funds from the Government these days, it is logical that people who provide voluntary public community service for a specific community should be granted priority to schools within their community.
4. And finally, there's the question of practicability. It wouldn't make sense for a child who stay at one end of the country spend hours travelling to a school on the other end of the country. Singapore may be small, but not that small.
In the face of all the above considerations, how does one design a system that is 'fair' to everyone involved? In my humble opinion, it can only be achieved by making the schools all as equal as possible so that there is no question about which school is better than the other. Yet, as impractical as this is, is this really the type of system that we want? That all schools have the same culture, spirit and centrally controlled? The communists tried that experiment, and we all know the results.
No. The system is not fair. And it will never be. And it can be subject to various kinds of abuse. But it is the best that we have. -
ChiefKiasu:
:idea: HDB already adopting a pure balloting for purchase of their new flats.In one extreme, some people feel that it is only fair that there be exactly 1 phase, and so everyone is subjected to the ballot should demand exceed supply. No distance prioritization. Based entirely on pure luck. Is that fair? Well, even luck is a commodity. Some people have more of it... others don't. Is it fair that some people have more luck than others?
It's a method that no amount of money or connections can get you a place at your desire location save for your own luck!
For P1 registration adapting the same method, it may not sound fair to those who originally is eligible for the earlier phases, but will surely sound fair for those who are stuck at phase 2C. :politebleah: -
Thanks Chief for your comment.
The system has been used and abused, most of us know about it. This has been openly discussed. Some has more than 1 choice, other is waiting to be given the choice, unfair but real. Doing PV or joining GR are all with the goal of gaining priority, this is not healthy and extreme case, subject to manipulation.
We need a fairer and transparent system, a system that can add more value to the school and students. -
star:
I think ZhongHua is better. but how about YangZheng? these 3 schools are all nearby.[Moderator's Note: Threads split and merged.]
Hi Chief
Can u advise which school is better? St Gabriel's or Zhonghua? From its website it seems that Zhonghua's top PSLE students every year but why is it not so popular? :? -
ChiefKiasu:
Yeah I am waiting for some letters to appear in the ST forum pages regarding this issue. Never fail to turn up this time every year....buzybuzz:
... I hope one day, all these phases (2A/2B) should be abolished and give each child an equal chance to admit to the school of their choice, base on proximity of their home.
Dear buzybuzz, every year, at this time, hundreds of parents will undergo an immense amount of stress. And every year, at this time, some of us will feel that the system is not fair....... -
Luanee:
1-2 weeks back, some letters already surfaced; one writer calls for min. 7yrs residence at the address before being qualified to use the address for registration purpose. Have yet to see MOE's replies though - maybe i'd missed it.
Yeah I am waiting for some letters to appear in the ST forum pages regarding this issue. Never fail to turn up this time every year.... -
jedamum:
Have yet to see MOE's replies though - maybe i'd missed it.
No, jedamum, you didn't miss it because MOE hasn't replied!
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Majella:
Thanks the link proved useful[/quote]Himama Ping:
[quote]Now I get it. How is OLN...is it good. I can consider both OLN & OLGC. I too stay at Serangoon Central. thanks
Hi, Majela,
I oso dun know how is OLN? As my husband insisted our girl go to girls school and make it fair same school with all his 3 daughters only ( my girl got 2 step-sister), for your reference only
http://www.kiasuparents.com/kiasu/forum/viewtopic.php?t=438&postdays=0&postorder=asc&start=105
Registered for OLN. So far 65 registered for 81 seats. How abt u
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Yippie! No balloting for 2B in Rosyth!!!
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ksmummy:
Yippie! No balloting for 2B in Rosyth!!!
:congrats:
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