Topic: What is school for ?

[econav]

The fact is few teachers quit due to pay, but due to the non-teaching load that they have, as well as skewed KPIs. If we can truly retain teachers who are interested in teaching (ties to our warped recruitment based on grades and not interest), perhaps the students would have a better chance of a proper education too.

ya, the pay is not Bad after all , only those permanent head damage cant understand why still so many quit and with the ability of a damage head , all they can think of doing is to pay more and recruit more .than make the class smaller and hv more teacher to teach to reduce the workload ,so the teacher can spend more time with the student than every an hrs rush for another class/lesson. further than that teacher are demotivated when so much seggregate on student/sch and when they are put into a lower standard class they also get depress ( I know of a few quitted on this ground ) that also passes down to the student and .................................this is what we get ,when pay top dollars for all this TOP brain Now think about it , that is the New Lemom law , so we get a lemon , can we ask them to refunds

[Austrich]

Former NorthLight student scores place in polytechnic

Student who failed PSLE to take up aerospace engineering

NorthLight School, which takes in PSLE failures, has produced a winner.

Mr Paul Tan, a student in its pioneer batch who went on to the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) to study electrical engineering, has achieved a perfect grade point average of 4.  That has won the 22-year-old a place in Republic Polytechnic to study aerospace engineering.

BELIEVING IN HIMSELF

For the first time in my life, I began to feel that I was capable and I could achieve something worthwhile. - Ex-NorthLight student Paul Tan, on his experience at the school

There is more good news for him. On hearing that he needs financial help, the NorthLight School board has offered to pay for his polytechnic education. The fees alone are $2,250 a year.

Mr Tan, raised by his single mother Koh Lay Choo, 49, said he was initially happy when the polytechnic accepted him.

'But I soon started worrying about how I was going to pay the fees. There is no way my mum, a hawker-stall assistant, could afford it. I am very grateful to the school board.'

Board chairman Euleen Goh said he is a role model for other students who enrol in the Dunman Road school after failing their Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).  She added that the board has set up an alumni assistance fund that all former students can turn to for help.  She said the school now has a staff member who helps students transition into further education and work, as well as helps graduating students in their job search.

NorthLight, set up in 2007, offers a three- or four-year programme covering English, basic mathematics and computer skills, as well as vocational skills like retail operations and food preparation.  When they graduate, they can work or enrol in the ITE.  Eighty students from the pioneer batch of 200 made it to the ITE to take up certificate courses. Another 20 continued their education in private institutions such as Shatec, a hospitality and tourism training institute.  Sixty found jobs paying an average salary of between $700 and $800 a month.

Mr Tan attributed his good grades to his teachers and then-principal of NorthLight, Mrs Chua Yen Ching.  He had lost confidence after his poor performance in school and, at 13, dropped out to work in a factory. When he was 16, he was attacked and robbed. While recovering from injuries, he re-examined his life and decided to return to school.

His mentor at church told him about NorthLight, which was opening then to give dropouts like him a second chance.  He said its teachers recognised his strengths and gave him leadership roles, including making him president of the students' council.

'For the first time in my life, I began to feel that I was capable and I could achieve something worthwhile.'

Mr Tan, who began his poly course recently after completing his national service, has set his sights on going to the Singapore University of Technology and Design to pursue engineering.

NorthLight principal Martin Tan said another four who went to ITE had done well enough to be admitted into the Higher Nitec programmes.  He added that those who had gone on to work are also thriving and some are taking up part-time courses.

Said Mr Tan: 'Paul and the four who made it to Higher Nitec courses are all an inspiration for NorthLight students. They have shown that with hard work and determination, all students can reach higher.'

The success of NorthLight led the Education Ministry to set up Assumption Pathway School in Upper Bukit Timah in 2009.  The two schools together take in about 400 primary-school failures and dropouts a year.

[vex]

i heard a friend who is a doctor, he send his 3 yr old daughter to eaton house (a childcare centre in district ten), one month, $5k. I find it shocking.

[bolts]

Nothing shocking. Private education is expensive if not funded by govt policies.

In our public schools, the education system is majority-funded by governement. Hence, the low price you pay - almost nothing from Nursery to Sec schools. And heavily subsized if your child go into Singapore Unis/poly.

If you fly to the States to attend a uni there, tution fees will cost the parent around US$150,000 for the full 3 years.

Of course, if you compare with some European education system, it's almost entirely state-funded. But, income-tax in some of these countries is nearly half of your pay.

[watchdog]

Sure or not ? One term is 6-7k + GST, not 5k per month. At 5k per month, I would expect all the children to be fed bird nest porridge at every meal.

i heard a friend who is a doctor, he send his 3 yr old daughter to eaton house (a childcare centre in district ten), one month, $5k. I find it shocking.

[jimi]

Sure or not ? One term is 6-7k + GST, not 5k per month. At 5k per month, I would expect all the children to be fed bird nest porridge at every meal.

Ha ha! Even the most ex international school is less than that!

[domho8]

I would expect all the children to be fed bird nest porridge at every meal.

HA! HA! Should hv buddha jump the wall weekly.

[Austrich]

may be they issue LV , prada school bags, Geox shoes, new iPad for games, and gourmet lunch .. 

[domho8]

tok kong durians for deserts 

[Peter Seow]

Nothing shocking. Private education is expensive if not funded by govt policies.

In our public schools, the education system is majority-funded by governement. Hence, the low price you pay - almost nothing from Nursery to Sec schools. And heavily subsized if your child go into Singapore Unis/poly.

If you fly to the States to attend a uni there, tution fees will cost the parent around US$150,000 for the full 3 years.

Of course, if you compare with some European education system, it's almost entirely state-funded. But, income-tax in some of these countries is nearly half of your pay.

True but the student pay for their own education, parents dont pay for it over there.
People here shoould learn to be independent and pay for things themselves

[alf]

Or can we just get the kids on tuition no need go school.
Then when u think time is right just go take exam.
Maybe no need till 16 to take o level.
If well tuitioned then maybe 14 go take Liao haha

Yes , there is nothing to stop any one to go private all the way as it will be for the best . Looking at educating system they a screening to obtain the best of the best and recruit under their wing of scholar programme . As for the rest to their eyes it is collateral damage .

If you ask MOE on segregation of class between the very smart or the "call gifted" and the normal student they will deny , yet if you ask any student of any school they can tell you which class they are at .

Well if the kids are grown up and looking for a government job , the local grads will have higher chance for the post .

Bottom line is if you are not in the programme on what is their intrest be prepare for the challenge .

[ysl]

The irony of schooling is that the school expect the student to be learning most of the basic stuff from tuition centre , the school are not doing any coverange on basic fundamental . What if those kid cannot afford ?

Best part PSB or Spring are going to fund millions of dollars to tution centre ( whats up with that )

My son in a neighbour hood school already the school are just keep giving them home work but never mark or go thru the work given .

So we have to take matters to our own hands , just forget on the extra class that school are providing rather spent time on doing those paper from other school and go thru and correct the method to attack the question .

Some parent resolve to home study as the current system are impossible for the averange student, on top of the school are not so committed to teach and revision ( rather facilitating ) . It seems like they are running like cooperate company .

I don't blame those people are migrating , if i have the money i will do the same .

Look at the American or Aussie their is simple  effective studying and the children turn up to be more confident and articulate than our locals kids .

It is a joke we are paying them top dollars for they to lead the future children and turn up our future will be bunch of "yes" man.

How can they cultivate the entrepreneur that the government are emphasising all the time .

Very disappointed .

I agree, teachers in schools give out tonnes of home work becasue this is one of the ways they are being assessed . Funny how and why they are not assessed on how well they correct the students, what a stupid system. Teachers are always very keen on collecting completed homework, but not as keen to mark them or go thru the mistakes . And this is done with the knowledge that there will be tutors to teach them how to do it.

Stop for a momemtn and think, if this goes on, those who can afford, will be piled on more and more just to keep the good name that Singapore is a world class education place, credit goes to the moe , ironical isn't it ? I mean will anyone step up and give thanks to the private tutors, and tution centres ?

Those who cannot afford the increasing private tuition fees, which will be the vast majority, will be left way behind within several years .

I have not heard that Spring and PSB will be funding in millions to tuition centres, if this is true, ... i really do not know what to think .

Top people in large corporations are not run by Singaporeans... what does this tell you . Some top Singaporean corporations are not run by Singaporeans . I honestly have no problem with non-born and breed in Singapore Singaporean running the show, because I believe that the most suitable should, but what does this tells you about our system ?

And we pay top dollars for foriegn talents to work here, why arent we producing top talents ?

[Austrich]

Asian parents 'spend billions on tuition'

MANILA - Asian parents are spending billions of dollars on private tutors for their children, and the practice is growing despite doubts over its effectiveness, said a study.

'Shadow education' is an expanding business not only in wealthy countries but also in some of the region's poorer nations as parents try to give their children the best start in life, the Asian Development Bank said in the study published yesterday.  Nearly nine out of 10 South Korean elementary pupils have private tutoring, while the figure for primary school children in India's West Bengal state is six out of 10.

'Proportions are lower in other countries, but throughout the region the shadow is spreading and intensifying,' the study said, calling for a review to make such extra teaching less attractive.

Extra academic work is aimed at helping slow learners and supporting high achievers, and is seen by many parents as a constructive way for adolescents to spend their spare time.  However, it can reduce time for sports and other activities important for well-rounded development, as well as cause social tensions since richer families can afford better-quality tutoring, the study said.  It estimated that the costs of private tutoring in South Korea were equivalent to 80 per cent of government spending on public education.

Japan spent US$12 billion (S$15 billion) on extra teaching in 2010, while Singapore spent US$680 million in 2008.

In Hong Kong, where 85 per cent of senior secondary students receive tutoring, companies advertise the services of 'star' tutors on television, newspapers and the back of buses, the study said.

But despite its popularity, tutoring has had mixed results, said the study, conducted with the University of Hong Kong's Comparative Education Research Centre.

'Much depends not only on the motivations and abilities of the students but also on the motivations and abilities of the tutors,' it said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

[ysl]

tuition used to be for those who are not coping, it is now, shall I say , necessary because something has failed ....

or is this something more than meets the eye ?

[qrm]

Save the money and go on an eye opening holiday with the family. Base camp at mount Everett, swim in the Amazon river, snorkel with the whale sharks, can guarantee it would have a greater beneficial effect than some tutor in a fluorescent lit Aircon box. Plus the kid will have lot more to talk about at dinners, and if you are employing someone, one bloke is a straight A nerd, The other has this list of amazing experiences to recall who would you take on?