Give citizens priority in Primary 1 registration
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One needs to understand the context of certain policies. The rule is that typically Singaporean parents ar not allowed to register their children in international schools. The stated aims are to promote nation building and shared values amongst Singaporeans, and also assure delivery of educational content. In exceptional cases, exemptions may be granted, for instance, to children of Singaporeans who have been overseas for long periods and may be unused to the the Singapore educational system.
Which of the above stated aims do you, as a parent, quibble with? Yes, the notion feels restrictive, but in reality, given a choice, how many locals can/will really choose to send their children to an international school as opposed to a state-funded one? 5%? And guess who those will be? Presumably the well heeled and well connected. Is that the type of system you wish to engender then, in preference to the one we already have? A two-tier system where the children of the elite attend the expensive private schools and the less well-endowed other schools? At least now you generally have some fighting chance for even the best schools.
Why the PRs as the bogeyman? Easy targets are they not? How about the real manipulators of the system, your fellow KS Singapore parent fibbing about rentals, paying over the odds for for ‘hot’ addresses? Where is the outrage?
As parents, one would hope one could provide for our children a ‘big picture’ view of things, resiliency and hopefully some spirit of generosity. Is the failure to get to a good school in P1 the end of the academic career for your child? Where is the ‘big picture’ view, the ability to work around circumstances? Shudder the thought that the child is now constantly bombarded with input that because of all the ‘dastardly’ PRs, they are now condemned to a life of academic underperformance and servitude. In one fell stroke, have demotivated the child, and sown the seeds of bigotry.
Pardon the sharp language, yah, it can be an emotive issue, but its far from being the end of the world. -
It’s not the end of the world, for me its over and I have move on.
However, the emotion is still there unless you are not directly affected by it.
The topic of treating both citizens and PRs as equal for P1 registration is still a debatable topic. My stand if for this to be balanced, so that we citizen are not at a disadvantage. Every parent will want the best for their kids and if this is a level playing field, fine with me. As for other parents who choose the less desirable method for a P1 advantage, they are taking a risk and I do wish there is a way to restrict this.
This is not PRs bashing, I have many friends and colleagues who are PRs too, and we get along fine. However, there are some PR minority who feel they deserved to be treated as equally as citizen just because our country needs them and they are paying taxes. Some even suggested that baby bonus to be extended to them so that the population can increase.
Lastly, I do provide the “big picture”. I told my sons that if they do not study hard, there may be no job for them in future. There are many foreign talents willing to work here for half the cost. This is a reality and is happening now. . -
buzybuzz:
Let me share a story of 2 gals - A and B - both at the same age.It’s not the end of the world, for me its over and I have move on.
However, the emotion is still there unless you are not directly affected by it.
.
\"A\" was successfully balloted into a highly sought after school. Parents were elated. \"B\" unfortunately was unsuccessful and ended up in an average neighbourhood sch (leftover one because its after 2C phase). We could see how \"upset\" B's parents were. Years passed. \"A\" being a small fish in a big pond , didn't get much opportunities in school & because it was an elite school, everytime her academic results fell, parents received phone calls to push her up (therefore must invest in tuition money). Comlained that teachers didn't really teach that much and must spend money to keep up with the competition. On the other hand, B ..was given a lot of opportunities & attention in the not popular neighbourhoold sch , teachers were working harder because the profile of students are not that \"rich\"so must do more for the students. At the end of PSLE, \"A\" went to a neighbourhood Secondary school while B got into RGS. When asked, B's parents said that they will not want to turn back the clock now. They are so happy with how the child has blossomed in the neighbourhd school. In summary, top schools may not necessarily provide the best for your child and it could be a blessing in disguise if you don't get balloted in! -
i agree.
However, each year there are many 'A’s in the popular school and few 'B’s in the less popular schools.
That is why year after year so many kiasu parents like us do what we can to get our children into the popular schools and load them with enrichment classes, so that they will not be another ‘A’. -
3Boys:
Hi
Why the PRs as the bogeyman? Easy targets are they not? How about the real manipulators of the system, your fellow KS Singapore parent fibbing about rentals, paying over the odds for for 'hot' addresses? Where is the outrage?
You seem to imply that only KS Singapore parents are doing such things, while non-Singaporeans are not guilty of resorting to the same tactics. Think this is a sweeping statement, just like the first where you feel that PRs are being made the bogeyman in this topic.
Here, the topic is whether Singapore citizen should have priority over non-citizen in P1 registration. Obviously people would have different views on this.
By far, I think Singaporeans generally are very open to foreigners who are working here. It is a reality that many have accepted. There are also many students from the region who have come here to study, and then stayed on to work here. It is just a natural progression for these students. There are also employers here who prefer to employ PR males, simply because they do not need to do reservist.
In another country, even an Asian one, it's probably much easier for a foreigner to feel like an \"outsider\" and less than welcomed. But in Singapore, so many of us have friends and colleagues who are PR. Do we treat them badly? Come on!
By the way, my DH is also a PR. -
westmom:
i also know about a similar case like this on my relativesLet me share a story of 2 gals - A and B - both at the same age.
\"A\" was successfully balloted into a highly sought after school. Parents were elated. \"B\" unfortunately was unsuccessful and ended up in an average neighbourhood sch (leftover one because its after 2C phase). We could see how \"upset\" B's parents were. Years passed. \"A\" being a small fish in a big pond , didn't get much opportunities in school & because it was an elite school, everytime her academic results fell, parents received phone calls to push her up (therefore must invest in tuition money). Comlained that teachers didn't really teach that much and must spend money to keep up with the competition. On the other hand, B ..was given a lot of opportunities & attention in the not popular neighbourhoold sch , teachers were working harder because the profile of students are not that \"rich\"so must do more for the students. At the end of PSLE, \"A\" went to a neighbourhood Secondary school while B got into RGS. When asked, B's parents said that they will not want to turn back the clock now. They are so happy with how the child has blossomed in the neighbourhd school. In summary, top schools may not necessarily provide the best for your child and it could be a blessing in disguise if you don't get balloted in! -
westmom:
Agreed on the point that the most influential factor is still the child. Going to a top school may do more harm than good due to peer pressure. Unlike some parents who will send their kids 10km away to a top school, I just want a school next door, after living here for so many years. . .Let me share a story of 2 gals - A and B - both at the same age.
\"A\" was successfully balloted into a highly sought after school. Parents were elated. \"B\" unfortunately was unsuccessful and ended up in an average neighbourhood sch (leftover one because its after 2C phase). We could see how \"upset\" B's parents were. Years passed. \"A\" being a small fish in a big pond , didn't get much opportunities in school & because it was an elite school, everytime her academic results fell, parents received phone calls to push her up (therefore must invest in tuition money). Comlained that teachers didn't really teach that much and must spend money to keep up with the competition. On the other hand, B ..was given a lot of opportunities & attention in the not popular neighbourhoold sch , teachers were working harder because the profile of students are not that \"rich\"so must do more for the students. At the end of PSLE, \"A\" went to a neighbourhood Secondary school while B got into RGS. When asked, B's parents said that they will not want to turn back the clock now. They are so happy with how the child has blossomed in the neighbourhd school. In summary, top schools may not necessarily provide the best for your child and it could be a blessing in disguise if you don't get balloted in! -
buzybuzz:
Agree with what you say..as a father, i would also wan my son to study in a school near home and not subject him to the journey to and fro from a school 10KM away.... courtesy of MOE.
Agreed on the point that the most influential factor is still the child. Going to a top school may do more harm than good due to peer pressure. Unlike some parents who will send their kids 10km away to a top school, I just want a school next door, after living here for so many years. . .
Their existing policy of Primary School Registration is a total disgrace. Why give equal rights to non-citizens?? Those within the PAP party and working senior management level MOE staff can easily get school under Phase 2B, do we citizens have such luxury?
My son lost both ballots in Phase 2C and Phase 2C Supp. MOE posted him to a school more than 5KM away instead of the 3 neighbourhood school around my home. This is the type of assurance MOE gives to all Singaporean, there is always place for your child....however far it is from your residence is never MOE concern, good luck. -
You had ample times to become volunteer in school of your choice.
I noticed that you manage to do posting here which means you have internet access, why can't you check moe website for the school's vacancies :? :?
Why did you gamble with your own kid's application :?
Why do you want to blame the system, you are the one who broke itfallen:
My son lost both ballots in Phase 2C and Phase 2C Supp. MOE posted him to a school more than 5KM away instead of the 3 neighbourhood school around my home. This is the type of assurance MOE gives to all Singaporean, there is always place for your child....however far it is from your residence is never MOE concern, good luck. -
tan_dave:
To be fair, not many people can afford the time (adhoc) to do volunteer work, and not many people know that the schools around them are 'popular' and needs balloting for certain distance; some knew too late to do anything. so at this point, does having internet access and checking moe's website for school's vacancies help? surely those staying nearby have to take the risk to go for the nearest school of choice. some who 'preempt' balloting and went for 2nd nearest school are also taking the risk cos who knows other applicants may think along the same line too.You had ample times to become volunteer in school of your choice.
I noticed that you manage to do posting here which means you have internet access, why can't you check moe website for the school's vacancies :? :?
Why did you gamble with your own kid's application :?
Why do you want to blame the system, you are the one who broke it
so does that mean that those who done so is gambling with their kid's application if he/she did not pv at that school next door?
congrats to you if you have prepared well for your kid's application or had the easier way of going through the alumni route. but do feel for those who found it too late to do anything.
personally, i feel it have no bearing to me as to whether pr have the same 'registration priority' as citizens cos my kids' applications are already over. want to thrash it out? wait for those highly educated far-sighted parents whose kids are due for registration in 5-8 yrs time to push for such a change.
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