[Serangoon] Primary Schools

[toddles]

mantaray:

I think we need to review the P1 PV approach in some schools. Here is my email to the new consultative govt and PM regarding the experience at rosyth. Contrary to the expressed consultative approach, there was no reply at all.


The letter is as follows :

Dear Sir,

...
2.  Whilst the P2B exercise is not over, the volunteers have been made aware that those outside of 1km are not likely to get in with slim ballot chances.  Shouldn't MOE have planned for the right number of cohort intake and volunteer/eligible grassroot numbers.  These are all possible planning parameters that was seemingly uncatered for.  Or they could be made clear to parents that there was significant intake decreases and political boundary and thus grassroot leader numbers.

3.  High volunteer requirements.  My duties allocated were about two to three hours per week and we were told that we needed more than the MOE minimum of 40hrs.  We were told its about 80hrs.  Towards the P1 registration, we were told demand from grassroot leaders etc seems high and we may need to clock more hours.  Most of the parent volunteers have well over a hundred hours.  If we do a simple mathematics, we could see that many grown men have been doing various tasks (no matter how simple), taking leave from economically important jobs, time away fromm kids and family to fight for a chance into a school.  Now this is just going to be a bad gamble as the chances in spite of all these trial by ordeal does at best give a slim chance in a ballot.  Perhaps this gambling and economically taxing system should be scrapped (esp since the labour market is so tight).  Are the schools resourced sufficiently for most of these manual tasks or do they require 120hrs
x 25 PV to obtain 3125 free manhours?  On the positive end, I have grown attached to the school and its staff having \"worked\" there for the past two years.  But all these is useless if I do not get not get into the school (esp since I heard that those >2km wont even get to ballot in site of the high volunteer hours).

...

Hi mantaray

those things quoted above are the school's fault and not MOE's fault. Maybe that's why MOE is not replying...

the number of PV hours is determined by the school, they are the ones who requested that you do more right? and even if you do much more you still get an equal chance with the grassroots folks so I'm not sure why they asked parents to do more in the hope of securing a place.

the number of PVs they accept is also up to them... some schools are wise and try to accept a rational amount to make allowances for grassroots etc assocations, so that PVs have almost guaranteed chance of getting in. The number of spaces available in 2B and 2C follow a formula, after the 2A intake, so it's not like it can be predetermined for any school... or planned for by MOE.

I've heard that the PV applications for roysth are always far in excess of the places, sometimes 140 applications and only 20 PVs are chosen. Perhaps so as not to disappoint, Roysth should just accept 10 PVs instead. Agree that it's very demoralising to have volunteered 150 hours and still not get in...

In any case balloting within 1km for phase 2B for Roysth has been around for the past few years? So it's expected, esp in a year of higher number of births?

If it makes you feel a bit more comforted, the situation is the same if not worse for Nanyang pri... those who PVed but do not stay within 1km also don't even get a chance to ballot...

imho, parents who want to PV should only do so in schools where there has not been balloting for phase 2B within the distance that you stay from the sch, for the past few years just to be safe...

[Cartier]

Dreamygal:

Yes. I can confirm that Rosyth was and is now still in AMK GRC. I checked the school before and after the GE just to confirm which GRC is it under. But under AMK GRC, there are some changes to the boundaries.

That's right, I heard from my Grassroot friend staying in Hougang that the vicinity of Buangkok, Hougang Avenue 2,4,8 used to be under the Aljunied GRC is now under AMK GRC (MP, Mr Yeo Guat Kwang) and this enlarged boundary falls within 1km of Rosyth.

[Cartier]

My PV friend queried the logic of the school recruiting PVs staying beyond 1km and the response is the school wants to give a chance to others staying beyond but in this instance, it’s a double edged sword.


IMHO, when the school knew of its reduction of 30 vacancies at the beginning of the year or even much earlier, the school should inform those PVs staying beyond 1km the option to drop out or continue at one’s peril.

Mantaray, 150 hours are exceedingly over the top, I salute you for that.

BTW, there have not been much commented regarding Zhonghua Primary School. Anyone has any feedback? My neighbour’ son who is studying there, seems to be very happy with the teachers and the mother told me that the principal is very kind and nice.

[mummyo]

toddles:

Hi mantaray

those things quoted above are the school's fault and not MOE's fault. Maybe that's why MOE is not replying...

the number of PV hours is determined by the school, they are the ones who requested that you do more right? and even if you do much more you still get an equal chance with the grassroots folks so I'm not sure why they asked parents to do more in the hope of securing a place.

the number of PVs they accept is also up to them... some schools are wise and try to accept a rational amount to make allowances for grassroots etc assocations, so that PVs have almost guaranteed chance of getting in. The number of spaces available in 2B and 2C follow a formula, after the 2A intake, so it's not like it can be predetermined for any school... or planned for by MOE.

I've heard that the PV applications for roysth are always far in excess of the places, sometimes 140 applications and only 20 PVs are chosen. Perhaps so as not to disappoint, Roysth should just accept 10 PVs instead. Agree that it's very demoralising to have volunteered 150 hours and still not get in...

In any case balloting within 1km for phase 2B for Roysth has been around for the past few years? So it's expected, esp in a year of higher number of births?

If it makes you feel a bit more comforted, the situation is the same if not worse for Nanyang pri... those who PVed but do not stay within 1km also don't even get a chance to ballot...

imho, parents who want to PV should only do so in schools where there has not been balloting for phase 2B within the distance that you stay from the sch, for the past few years just to be safe...

Hi mantaray

My heart goes out to you. I too PVed for over 100 hours in my school of choice so i understand the attachment to the school and how after you get to know the staff and teachers that it is hard to imagine your child studying in another school.

The intake for my school also reduced this year. Honestly, I don't know how early the schools are informed of the reduction in intake. I met my school's principal in late June and he didn't think the intake will be reduced but when the official announcement from MOE was made, they cut intake by 1 class size!

I narrowly missed out on balloting as I was 1-2km and managed to JUST get in.

Much as we gripe about the current system, I'm in a way grateful as my child will have ZERO chance of getting into this popular school if I didn't PV. They have balloting for Phase 2c <1km every year.

Going into it, we were told that we are not guaranteed a place and had to sign an acknowledge form. It's unfortunate in your case that it came true, that you didn't even get to ballot?

My advice is, leverage on your relationship with the school, get your child on the waitlist. As far as I know, most schools will give priority to PVs on their waitlist compared to GRL as you have personally served the school.

I wish you all the best. Good luck with securing a place for your child. :xedfingers:

[Busymom]

Dreamygal:

Yes. I can confirm that Rosyth was and is now still in AMK GRC. I checked the school before and after the GE just to confirm which GRC is it under. But under AMK GRC, there are some changes to the boundaries.

But even if there is a change to the boundaries for AMK GRC, shouldn't the letter for GRL be based on the respective GRL's address as per pre-GE boundaries? :?

I agree that PV selection and the number selected is determined solely by each school. Nothing to do with MOE.

[Dreamygal]

I also thought so. I read before somewhere that it should be based on the pre-GE boundaries. Changes will only affect next year registration.

[Dreamygal]

Anyone have feedback on Yang Zheng?

[mantaray]

Dreamygal:

I also thought so. I read before somewhere that it should be based on the pre-GE boundaries. Changes will only affect next year registration.

I thought that should be the right way as well. But this issue was highlighted to us as a cause for a large number increase.

[Dreamygal]

Mantary,


I really feel quite bad for you. I think the decrease in intake plays a big part. What do you plan to do now?

Are they going to further decrease in the coming years?

[Cartier]

mantaray:

Dreamygal:

I also thought so. I read before somewhere that it should be based on the pre-GE boundaries. Changes will only affect next year registration.

I thought that should be the right way as well. But this issue was highlighted to us as a cause for a large number increase.

Mantaray
So I assumed wrongly it's not so much as the PVs moving houses. Which school have you decided for your child?

Kudos :rahrah: to all those who PV and contribute through the grassroots, I cannot endure the heart palpitating journey and then face disappointment.