ry_mummy\" post_id=\"2109857\" time=\"1685338931\" user_id=\"33677:

Hi All, I would like to understand whether with the new changes to the Secondary School Chinese syllabus from Year 2021 (I know the textbooks were changed), will the 'O' level Chinese paper format be changed too?
I tried to google but can't find anything. Looking forward to anyone who knows more. Thank you!

Specimen papers for Chinese new syllabus for year 2024.

https://www.seab.gov.sg/home/examinations/gce-o-level/o-level-syllabuses-examined-for-school-candidates-2024

lee_yl\" post_id=\"2122542\" time=\"1699755759\" user_id=\"17023:

Exactly my thoughts. If I were to turn back the clock, I would still have picked IP (should my kids still be eligible) and skip the O level.

Yes, the O level kids in IPJCs are smart and hardworking. But in the first place, if they are not smart and hardworking, they wouldn’t have fought their way in to R and H schools via the O-level route.

Me too. If I were to turn back the clock, I will still choose IP for both my kiddos. If their attitude to learning is self-driven, motivated and their result speak for itself, I will still choose IP over O level. I rather skip another National Exam so as not to over-burn for another National Exam in less than 2 years. Besides the IP is already accelerated learning and that is a plus point for me and my children. Some topics are not necessarily needed to learn and might as well put the time to other uses. In addition, the IP years that my kids are exposed to have been very fruitful. Cultural exchanges, overseas trips for symposium and Science competition internationally are all what they have experienced in IP could not be seen in O level route.

To me the runway of Y5 and Y6 leading to A level Exam is extremely short plus to accustom to another new environment and studies and PW is in Y5. Yes, skipping another National Exam is to reduce stress and don't waste time study unnecessary subjects/topics. Just keeping the core subjects and move on.

Reducing the stress of having to take another National Exam is a plus point. But not saying IP route is no stress at all. By itself on IP curriculum, is already accelerated. So naturally there are stress in the academic as well on top of other extra curriculum that stretched them intellectually and creativity. The students are being stretched and enriched.

Accelerated learning is overexaggerating to some. I am very sure all kids went through that since kindy time. Parents teaching them to speak, to read, to learn mathematic timetable way early. To some kids, they will feel bore not learning in advance. To some kids learning in advance makes them feel somewhat comfortable and prepared for classroom learning.

At the end of the day, even if one couldn't go into IP for whatever the reason or do not wish to go IP, all is still not lost if the ultimate goal is to go into A level. Just study hard and study smart.

But those who can go IP, I encouraged the child to go provided as a parent you know what your child aptitude in learning. Motivated? Can take the stress? Wants to be challenged? Feeling bore with the mundane curriculum? Prefer non-structured curriculum?

bbbay\" post_id=\"2122517\" time=\"1699706505\" user_id=\"175278:

1 of the many examples, language in this case, how exposures to diverse knowledge in school can change how the learners look at things. And how it can help them in their personal and professional life if they apply these additional knowledge well.

https://youtu.be/RKK7wGAYP6k?si=JS_ZK1me6riUirSZ

We have that in Singapore - Language Arts in IP route. Or exploring Literature as an option at O Level. There is already a choice for some students who love languages.

bbbay, I understand your point. Your perspective of students acquiring skills outside of academic - professional skill and also diverse knowledge - which is unfortunately not happening in Singapore as a full academic. But will happen in CCA for some clubs. Some schools have CCA club in video editing, drone flying with video editing, video capturing in sports, Singing Dancing choreography etc.


Diverse knowledge maybe somewhat covered in IB where international studies is part of Y3 and Y4 curriculum. Not too sure is your type of skills you are looking.

To me acquiring that said skills, perhaps parents can do their part rather than directing that responsibility to the MOE/Schools. I always encourage the kids to explore other skills other than studies. Simple thing like acquiring maintenance of the bicycle to concocting shampoo to making 3D molding to photography.

In this generation, it is very unfortunate to see almost every students going through some form of tuition - across all levels - Primary, Secondary, A Level, IB. Not doing well in school to doing okay in school to doing fantastic in school - also need to go tuition. Doesn't mean going tuition are students who are struggling. Now the whole education in Singapore is going bongus. Paper too easy, Teachers set it even higher. Not that the students are failing. The question is whether the papers are pitched to the correct level. Making students fail is to make them wake up

bbbay\" post_id=\"2122499\" time=\"1699672155\" user_id=\"175278:

On the subject of study ahead, Then I still don’t see the wisdom for IP school to do it and then these students spend Y5 doing revisions. To me it’s redundancy especially for these high capacity kids. They could have been academically stretched in other directions with the extra time from skipping O level preparation.

Most IP schools are somewhat following quite closely to Secondary track. But some IP schools are not (especially the top tier and some mid-tier). Advanced learning is not entirely redundant because these kids coming into IP are high-performing students. As mentioned by the MOE, IP curriculum must be tailored differently from the mainstream at a glance.

Because these IP students are already high performing, hence immerse themselves in a more broad based education which ultimately leads them to A level or IB level, also means advanced learning or fast pace learning should be nothing to them. On top of that, the programme itself also have enrichment activities - like I mentioned - presentation, projects, STEM, etc

Some projects and STEMs really requires a certain degree of advanced learning basic. So most can't really do away with advanced learning.

Afterall these high performing kids will be bored if they go into the mainstream. Might as well push them to a certain limit if they can.

So generally IP Y4 proceed to Y5 or JC1, the works in JC1 are somewhat a revision. In Y3 and Y4, the papers have some questions pitched to a A level standard type of questions. So those coming in from O level route to Y5 or JC1, you can already observe there is a gap but this gap is manageable since these kids also have some certain standard to continue into A level route. I remember a Physic Teacher once complained to me that MOE must set the secondary Standard and curriculum right, because most coming into JC1 lack certain foundation, and being a teacher, he needs to put in extra extra effort to these kids at JC1 which is not really enough time and that frustrates him.

And sharing another incident, O level students are somewhat unprepared for the Project Work and common complaints will be that the teachers are not helping at all. Actually you don't hear this from IP students because they are already so used to projects since day 1 at IP1. They know that one can't expect teacher to come to them. As a student, they have to approach the teacher first and throw some questions and direction before the teacher can guide them.

These are the subtle difference between IP and Mainstream curriculum which are manageable and mindset must shift, of which must be quickly resolve because Project Work submission must be done by Oct on top of their academic work. Should an O level kids wants to continue with A level route.

I always joke with my son who said Y5 actually not that hard for IP students. That is because school thinks they are a real slacker and so gave them advanced learning, so that they don't fall behind so much from the hardworking ones that came through A level after the O level exam.

I don't think that is a wise decision to think that if IP A don't fit, then consider IP IB. Is not really comparing apple to apple. That is entirely my opinion, coming from a mum with 2 boys - one in A and one going to start IB in 2 years down the road. Parents should do a thorough research. Hear from the school teachers/educators in the tuition center. Hear from parents who have kids in both the system. My advice is choose the school that fit your child and not the other way round. Again is my opinion.


Some kids can take either IP A or IP B and they strive. But most I feel cannot switch. There is no data to show that those who did IP A can do well in IP B or vice versa because there is no such situation.

My oldest in IP A saw my younger IP IB scope of works, he doesn't like it. Likewise for my younger one, who doesn't like the IP A scope of work. To me, both are equally challenging but I personally think IB students has a stronger critical-thinking skills. My oldest son echoes it too when he saw a group IP IB students on a specific task. If I were to reborn to this generation and with a mind of 13 years old, I will stick to IP A coz I am lacking such skill. I rather stick to the traditional regime and be let on. No need to think too hard. Just stick to the academic contents.

MKS, it all really depends. Some are group work and some are individual work.


I may not be able to answer fully on why some IP students can find time to slack even though the curriculum is rigorous.

Imp75\" post_id=\"2122400\" time=\"1699588007\" user_id=\"2358:

One observation I was told is that the IP ones are less hardworking while the O level kids are very hardworking. Probs due to drilling for O levels and the really hardworking ones do very well in IPJCs as well while the IP ones are still slackers. Maybe true test will come at A level where everyone starts getting more serious and after stepping down from cca which are very time consuming (it is also noted that most leadership pos may likely hv been taken by the IP ones).

I totally agreed with you. The IP students are slacker. Maybe not all but mostly. Also concur by teachers as well. Is largely because no heavy drilling for CA and the academic syllabus is somewhat not very structured and set. Generally at Year 5, most start to wake up but the engine is slow to start. But they will pick up.

Year in Year out every year, parents will share about whether to do IP or just into O level.


At the end of the day, whatever the debates it all boils down to the parent's assessment on your own child. Don't compare. No need to compare whether who and who have more tuition in primary school. No need to debate who are bored in primary school will ultimately survive in IP environment.

IP program isn't for every kid. The rigour in IP is not the same as O level route - projects, presentation, writings and the academic contents are heavy. Some kids love it. Some kids don't really fancy it. Some kids strive in systematic study environment which is O level route. Some kids automatically rather independent and will navigate seamlessly. Some kids can balance between studies and outside curriculum. Some kids just cannot balance at all. Some kids strive in that environment. Some kids barely float and get demoralized. Some kids just sink.

Just last year, I need to help my son's ex-classmates out of his depressing mode and school is not helping to address this. He was a high achiever and had Edusave Merit Award in P1-P4 and Edusave Scholarship in P5-P6 and a holder of ESIS. His PSLE score almost the same as my son. Smart boy I must say. Everyone thought he can strive in IP (one of the top school) but everything just went downhill at the end of Y1 IP and then the struggles. Both my son and myself suspect his study method is all wrong. Decided to pull the plug, went on to register Poly using his Y4 result. Thank goodness he got into his choice course. At Poly, he strives. Not only strives but came in top in Semester 1 and now a happy boy.

So as parents, nothing is lost. Choose wisely with your kids. Don't compare. You know your kids, you put in your best analysis for your own kids.

Also choose a school that can address/help demoralized students. Some school know of such problem but simply not doing much.

Oh my! 2023 is coming close. Year end is always a drag for me. Time to start to declutter and then total housecleaning