MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:23:34 GMT

isetan — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:23:34 GMT

floppy:
ChiefKiasu:
Actually, this might be indicative of a positive trend. It could mean that more of the cohort had been able to make it to IP or better secondary schools. And as JCs only take in a fraction of these students subsequently, I don't think they will be affected much by any reduction in the secondary cohort sizes, anyway.

Personally, I find it interesting that MOE has taken the option of merging these schools instead of moving them to newer estates (e.g. Punggol), where presumably, there will be some demand. Apart from some of the mismatched school name in a new estate, I suspect that these schools haven't achieved the necessary brand recognition that will make they an acceptable option even in places where sec schools could be in demand.

I think there are sufficient secondary schools in newer estate as of now.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:23:16 GMT

floppy — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:23:16 GMT

sushi88:
Methinks the bigger issue is shrinking cohort size because even in some existing sec schools, classes have been reduced too.

While I agree that shrinking cohort size is the main reason for the merger, I lament the decision that cause us to lose some schools with history (good/bad aside) and to start a brand new one with no history.

P/S: for those interested in how much the cohort size has fallen, you can refer to https://www.moe.gov.sg/docs/default-source/document/publications/education-statistics-digest/esd-2015.pdf, especially in the section on the level of enrollment for the various primary school levels. It will also tell you the level of competition that your child will be facing come PSLE/O level.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:10:53 GMT

sharonkhoo — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:10:53 GMT

It’s hard to "move" a school too far as it will inconvenience current students.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:10:50 GMT

sushi88 — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:10:50 GMT

Methinks the bigger issue is shrinking cohort size because even in some existing sec schools, classes have been reduced too.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:02:48 GMT

floppy — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 08:02:48 GMT

ChiefKiasu:
Actually, this might be indicative of a positive trend. It could mean that more of the cohort had been able to make it to IP or better secondary schools. And as JCs only take in a fraction of these students subsequently, I don't think they will be affected much by any reduction in the secondary cohort sizes, anyway.

Personally, I find it interesting that MOE has taken the option of merging these schools instead of moving them to newer estates (e.g. Punggol), where presumably, there will be some demand. Apart from some of the mismatched school name in a new estate, I suspect that these schools haven't achieved the necessary brand recognition that will make they an acceptable option even in places where sec schools could be in demand.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 07:02:48 GMT

ChiefKiasu — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 07:02:48 GMT

jetsetter:
... I wonder whose sch uniform, motto, song, badge and campus the merged schools will adopt...

It should naturally be the campus that remained. It's a hostile take-over of poorer performing one.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:44:29 GMT

jetsetter — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:44:29 GMT

ChiefKiasu:
Actually, this might be indicative of a positive trend. It could mean that more of the cohort had been able to make it to IP or better secondary schools. And as JCs only take in a fraction of these students subsequently, I don't think they will be affected much by any reduction in the secondary cohort sizes, anyway.

Or declining TFR? :evil: What was the birth rate in the mid-2000s?

I wonder whose sch uniform, motto, song, badge and campus the merged schools will adopt...

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:39:19 GMT

coast — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:39:19 GMT

http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/some-merged-schools-still-suffer-falling-enrolments

But Prof Straughan urged schools slated for merger to use this chance to pilot small-group teaching programmes that can also level up the masses of students in the middle who have slipped behind their peers during the PSLE.

\"This can be an educational experiment for schools to showcase small-group teaching pedagogies.\"

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:37:49 GMT

jetsetter — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 05:37:49 GMT

isetan:
I have 2 questions in my mind--

1) will teachers be retrenched given the large number of 11 Sec schools being closed;

2) what are they going to do with this empty schools? Demolish and make way for housing?

1) No retrenchments I suppose...Just redeploy them elsewhere perhaps?

2) Why would they demolish? The infrastructure could be used for other purposes. Like holding campus for those schools under PRIME reno, lease out to pte schools/academies, training ground, etc. For instance, the former St Anthony's Convent campus at Middle Road is now leased out to budding design agencies. Those classrooms have become tenanted units:)

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 04:38:38 GMT

Ikid — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 04:38:38 GMT

More IP students, more students applying for local Uni? And more competitive for popular courses?

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Mon, 07 Mar 2016 03:41:32 GMT

KSP — Mon, 07 Mar 2016 03:41:32 GMT

i still see new schs being built in new town… those affected teachers will just be relocated to other new schs… looking at current economy, teachers are more secured…

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sun, 06 Mar 2016 00:47:50 GMT

sharonkhoo — Sun, 06 Mar 2016 00:47:50 GMT

isetan:
I have 2 questions in my mind--

1) will teachers be retrenched given the large number of 11 Sec schools being closed;

I doubt teachers will be retrenched as I don't think there is an over-suply of teachers, as far as I know. And there is normal attrition every year from retirement and resignations. If they want to adjust the no. of teachers, they will do it by adjusting the NIE intake, I believe.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 23:57:30 GMT

ChiefKiasu — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 23:57:30 GMT

Actually, this might be indicative of a positive trend. It could mean that more of the cohort had been able to make it to IP or better secondary schools. And as JCs only take in a fraction of these students subsequently, I don’t think they will be affected much by any reduction in the secondary cohort sizes, anyway.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 12:29:14 GMT

janet88 — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 12:29:14 GMT

kitty2:

It may not happen as some teachers will be transferred out and principal will change too.Most of the schools mergered because their COP are low and not so popular.This is what I heard from my MOE friend

i was thinking if there is a merger, then teachers can be transferred to the school which is merged with. seriously, class size should be reduced.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 12:17:12 GMT

Jennifer — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 12:17:12 GMT

isetan:
I have 2 questions in my mind--

1) will teachers be retrenched given the large number of 11 Sec schools being closed;

2) what are they going to do with this empty schools? Demolish and make way for housing?

I suppose there are not many teachers left in these schools, given the fact that some do not have sec 1 cohort or some have only a few classes running?

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:58:13 GMT

isetan — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:58:13 GMT

starlight1968sg:
Merge bec lesser students? But we just opened a new jc

So all JCs will reduce their intakes eventually. But I don't see the closure given only handful of JCs around.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:55:29 GMT

isetan — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:55:29 GMT

I have 2 questions in my mind–

1) will teachers be retrenched given the large number of 11 Sec schools being closed;

2) what are they going to do with this empty schools? Demolish and make way for housing?

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:31:23 GMT

sharonkhoo — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 10:31:23 GMT

starlight1968sg:
Merge bec lesser students? But we just opened a new jc

Cohorts are getting smaller. The age gap between students at the new JC and the new sec 1s is 4 yrs.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 09:25:39 GMT

starlight1968sg — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 09:25:39 GMT

Merge bec lesser students? But we just opened a new jc

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 08:59:18 GMT

kitty2 — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 08:59:18 GMT

janet88:
if merge the secondary schools, then it would be great if class size is reduced to 30...with 7-8 tough subjects, longer school hours and CCA, students have no time and/or money for tuition. if class size is reduced, this would allow teacher to reach out to more students. guess this is wishful thinking.

It may not happen as some teachers will be transferred out and principal will change too.Most of the schools mergered because their COP are low and not so popular.This is what I heard from my MOE friend

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 05:22:53 GMT

sharonkhoo — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 05:22:53 GMT

janet88:
if merge the secondary schools, then it would be great if class size is reduced to 30...with 7-8 tough subjects, longer school hours and CCA, students have no time and/or money for tuition. if class size is reduced, this would allow teacher to reach out to more students. guess this is wishful thinking.

Probably not enough teachers to go round.

Reply to MOE to merge 22 secondary schools into 11 on Sat, 05 Mar 2016 04:58:11 GMT

janet88 — Sat, 05 Mar 2016 04:58:11 GMT

if merge the secondary schools, then it would be great if class size is reduced to 30…with 7-8 tough subjects, longer school hours and CCA, students have no time and/or money for tuition. if class size is reduced, this would allow teacher to reach out to more students. guess this is wishful thinking.