Give citizens priority in Primary 1 registration
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Some interesting letters from ST forum.
'Permanent residents - Why are these Phase 2C children given an equal chance in Primary 1 registration?'
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_417903.html
Give citizens priority in Primary 1 registration
I REFER to Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's speech at Tanjong Pagar's National Day celebration dinner ('Give new arrivals the time to adapt' last Friday), in which he pointed out that 'a clear distinction' has already been made between citizens and permanent residents (PRs) in terms of public housing, hospital charges, education fees and sharing government surpluses.
Mr Lee also assured long-time citizens that they would not be disadvantaged as the Government has enough places in top schools and tertiary institutions.
But why are Singaporeans and PRs in the same category when it comes to the Primary 1 registration process? When top schools are overwhelmed with applicants and places have to be decided by balloting, Singaporeans are not given priority.
The Education Ministry should reassess the criteria for admission to Primary 1.
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Online%2BStory/STIStory_417902.html
Require long-term PRs to take up citizenship
I REFER to the letters by Mr Eduard Tay ('Permanent residents - Why are these Phase 2C children given an equal chance in Primary 1 registration?', last Thursday), Mrs Sweta Agarwal ('Primary 1 places - We too have a right to give our children the best education', last Friday) and Mr Jimmy Loke ('The PR difference', last Saturday).
I agree with Mrs Agarwal for the most part, but she should understand that citizenship comes with its privileges. I am sure that in her own country, she would expect no less from the government.
She should also understand that good schools are but one of the many benefits offered by Singapore, and that her decision to live here should not be determined solely on the premise of getting places in good schools for her children.
Mr Loke indicates that Mr Tay's child does not have the option of going elsewhere to find a good school. Singaporeans today can emigrate to many countries around the world because of Singapore's good reputation. And many have.
To the question asked by Mr Loke on why Mrs Agarwal has not taken up citizenship, I have this suggestion: Require all permanent residents (PRs) who have lived here for 10 years or more to apply for citizenship, and remove some or all privileges accorded to them should they fail to do so. This forces PRs to think carefully about whether they feel they belong in Singapore.
Anecdotally, I have found that PRs who have lived here for five years or more tend to stay, as within that timeframe they would have sunk their roots here - perhaps they have married a Singaporean, their children are reluctant to leave, they have taken loans that are not easily settled, or they have simply grown to like the country.
The reasons that bring people from other countries to Singapore are the same reasons that make Singaporeans leave for other countries.
So perhaps in determining how Singapore treats its PRs, Singaporeans should consider how they would like to be treated if they were PRs in another country. And in seeking benefits, perhaps Singapore PRs should consider what sort of benefits they would accord to PRs in their own countries.
Such an approach may significantly narrow the gap in expectations between citizens and PRs. -
Actually over the weekend, both my hubby and I was discussing the same thing too, why should PR be registering under the Phrase 2C too? Citizens should be given priority.
In the case of perks eg: GST credits, PR are not entitled. I guess when it comes to $$, our govt seems to be more cautious. -
I agree too. My daughter is going to be P1 next year and I am trying to volunteer for the ‘best’ school in the east but was rejected (sign…). Perhaps Phase 2B should be reserved for Singaporeans and Phase 2C for the PRs and others.
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Ha.ha. maybe next time the P1 registration phase can propose like that, just a suggestion:
Phase 1 – Existing siblings in the Primary school except PR siblings.
Phase 2A(1) – No Change
Phase 2A (2) – No Change
Phase 2B – No change
Phase 2C – Singapore Citizenship Only.
Phase 2C Supplementary - Singapore Citizenship Only
Phase 3A – Permanent Residents
Phase 3A Supplementary - Permanent Residents
Phase 4 – Non Citizen. -
:rahrah: I like tht suggestion titank, else there is no differentiation between citizens and PR then.
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titank
A lot of PR volunteer at 2B. So 2B should change to excl PR.
Though it doesn’t benefit me anymore, such request should be chanelled to MOE but I doubt MOE would enforce it since PM Lee in his recent rally mentioned new immigrants should assimilate into our society and that we should not ostrasize them. -
caroline3sg:
Ha.ha maybe change like that sound better, anyonme have better way just cut & paste & modify.titank
A lot of PR volunteer at 2B. So 2B should change to excl PR.
Though it doesn't benefit me anymore, such request should be chanelled to MOE.
Phase 1 – Existing siblings in the Primary school (PR Siblings inclusive)
Phase 2A(1) – No Change
Phase 2A (2) – No Change
Phase 2B – PV, Church, Clans, GRL (Singaporeans)
Phase 2B Supplementary - PV, Church, Clans, GRL (Permanent Residents )
Phase 2C – Singapore Citizenship Only.
Phase 2C Supplementary - Singapore Citizenship Only
Phase 3A – Permanent Residents
Phase 3A Supplementary - Permanent Residents
Phase 4 – Non Citizen. -
titank:
If this is the case, then all PRs will rush to perform volunteer work.Phase 2B – PV, Church, Clans, GRL (Singaporeans)
Phase 2B Supplementary - PV, Church, Clans, GRL (Permanent Residents ) -
titank:
I second that, I fully agree with you ti tank. I have come across PR's who only wants the good things which singapore provide. When it comes to national service (their sons), they prefer to go back to their roots. They do not want to stay any longer, after the kids turn 18 yrs.
Ha.ha maybe change like that sound better, anyonme have better way just cut & paste & modify.caroline3sg:
titank
A lot of PR volunteer at 2B. So 2B should change to excl PR.
Though it doesn't benefit me anymore, such request should be chanelled to MOE.
Phase 1 – Existing siblings in the Primary school (PR Siblings inclusive)
Phase 2A(1) – No Change
Phase 2A (2) – No Change
Phase 2B – PV, Church, Clans, GRL (Singaporeans)
Phase 2B Supplementary - PV, Church, Clans, GRL (Permanent
Residents )
Phase 2C – Singapore Citizenship Only.
Phase 2C Supplementary - Singapore Citizenship Only
Phase 3A – Permanent Residents
Phase 3A Supplementary - Permanent Residents
Phase 4 – Non Citizen.
So where is the logic, they have somewhere to fall back, whereas us, there is no way of escaping, we have to share our pies. Its not fair. :x -
mum03:
I have come across PR's who only wants the good things which singapore provide.
One PR even wrote to The Straits Times Forum justifying why PRs should be given equal treatment as Singapore citizens - they pay taxes, too! :!: (big deal - to them!)
She said that her daughter managed to get into a good school. She would have left Singapore if her daughter didn't manage to get into the good school.
:x
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