IN the End, Is It Really Worth All This?
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Is it the system or is it simply the way people are in Singapore? But then again, does not frozen water take on the shape of its container?
This is one or MANY reasons, myself along with many others, are holding back on having children.
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PRI 1 REGISTRATION: SOME PARENTS TRY DESPERATE TACTICS
SON, PERFORM FOR PRINCIPAL
This month, parents of 6-year-olds are battling to get their little ones into a primary school of their choice next year. Principals of several primar schools describe to FAITH TEO some of the tactics some parents try to get their way
July 08, 2007
THE MY-CHILD- THE-GENIUS PARENT
Mensa memberships, result slips and recommendations from elite kindergartens, and certificates from expensive speech and drama classes are commonplace now.
Increasingly, principals find themselves sitting through a circus-act of 'talents' as parents make their children play the violin, perform complicated ballet moves or write Chinese calligraphy.
'Some even make their four-year-olds read to the principal, as a way to secure a place in the future,' revealed Madam Ng Siew Huang, vice-principal of Pei Chun Public School.
'However, it's very stressful for the child to perform in those few minutes. It's quite unhealthy for the kid. Sometimes you wonder why parents have to pressure them so hard.'
Madam Ng added that showcasing talents, however earnest, does not mean an automatic place.
THE SUPER-VOLUNTEER PARENT
Some parents offer their services to the school years in advance.
'They start applying for volunteer work as soon as the child turns 2.
Usually we will reject them as that's too early, and we don't know if criteria or policies for Primary One registration will change in the meantime,' said Mrs Seline Ng.
Some schools have even upped the minimum number of volunteer-hours from a basic 40 to 60, and St Hilda's Primary School's vice-principal Danny Poh said the school regularly conducts interviews with hundreds of parents vying for a few places.
THE SUPER-RESUME PARENT
Some parents even showcase their own talents as an indication of their child's future potential.
They write detailed resumes of their accomplishments, whether in work, sports or the arts.
Resumes are sent in 'to show us how much they can help the school in volunteer work', said MrsSeline Ng, principal of Rosyth School.
THE POOR-THING PARENTS
One principal had to deal with the same crying parent three or four times because she wanted her child to be in a school near to where her babysitter lived.
It was draining for both the principal and the parent, who got more agitated each time she was rejected. But Pei Chun's Madam Ng makes it clear that rules are rules.
'They hope we can give them a concession. But we're not in a position to do that because we have to follow rules.'
THE CLOSE-PROXIMITY PARENT
These are usually parents who have some cash to spare. They'll either uproot their families to within a kilometre of the school, or buy properties in that range so that the addresses can be used for registration.
Said Rosyth's Mrs Ng: 'They express it during parent volunteer interviews. Or they write to us to tell us that they're buying houses or condos within the area, or that they have already put down deposits for a property.'
THE THROW-MONEY PARENTS
These parents offer to 'donate' large sums if this can secure their kids a place.
'I once had an offer of $38,000 in cash donations from one parent. Some want to replace all the computers in the school's computer labs,' said a principal of an elite primary school
'The offers are rejected if the intention is not altruistic, because these donations don't give their child any priority over the rest.' -
this is called "Parent's Love" ...
and I suppose it's pretty much the same everywhere in the world ... I read with interest an article in the New York Times only recently about how parents in New York City were going to extra-ordinary length to secure a place at prestigious elementary schools there too ....
they all want the best for their children ... I think if one is not quite prepared for sacrifices for the children's sake, then perhaps one's not quite ready to become a parent ... -
Re-read the thread title...Originally posted by Fatum:this is called "Parent's Love" ...
and I suppose it's pretty much the same everywhere in the world ... I read with interest an article in the New York Times only recently about how parents in New York City were going to extra-ordinary length to secure a place at prestigious elementary schools there too ....
they all want the best for their children ... I think if one is not quite prepared for sacrifices for the children's sake, then perhaps one's not quite ready to become a parent ...
For all the education that money can buy, are there (enough) jobs MEANT for the young locals in Singapore? -
With a declining local birth rate, and an "ever-wise" government trying to pump up the population to 6.5 million with Foreigners (this means a top up of about 2 more million foreigners), do you think the job market is for locals??? -
Originally posted by ShutterBug:
you're talking about jobs ? ....
Re-read the thread title...
For all the education that money can buy, are there (enough) jobs [b]MEANT for the young locals in Singapore?
[/b]
I'd never have guessed ...
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If not about jobs, how else do you expect the child or children to survive?Originally posted by Fatum:you're talking about jobs ? ....
I'd never have guessed ... -
no, I'm just wondering cos there's nothing in your first post nor the title that it's really about jobs ...Originally posted by ShutterBug:If not about jobs, how else do you expect the child or children to survive? -
Tell me, what's giving one's child a GOOD EDUCATION for?Originally posted by Fatum:no, I'm just wondering cos there's nothing in your first post nor the title that it's really about jobs ... -
no, you tell me ! what do you think giving your children a good education is for ? ... just so that he or she can get a good job next time or what ? ... cos it seems like that's what you're implying now ...Originally posted by ShutterBug:Tell me, what's giving one's child a GOOD EDUCATION for?
I still fail to see how your original post and title gets transformed into something about children not being able to get jobs in the future in Singapore ... but no matter ....
cos if that's the way you think about children and having children, then I really feel sorry for you ... -
Actually, I wanted to say; "Is it Really Worth, All This Sh|T?" -
No, don't feel sorry for me.. I'm leaving soon...Originally posted by Fatum:no, you tell me ! what do you think giving your children a good education is for ? ... just so that he or she can get a good job next time or what ? ... cos it seems like that's what you're implying now ...
I still fail to see how your original post and title gets transformed into something about children not being able to get jobs in the future in Singapore ... but no matter ....
cos if that's the way you think about children and having children, then I really feel sorry for you ...
Feel sorry for those who were made to believe their kids will find employment (if gainful at all) in future.... -
I can kind of understand your thinking ... but then again ... I guess we're not quite qualified to really answer this yet ... we're both not parents yet (though I'm looking forward and trying to become one) ...Originally posted by ShutterBug:Actually, I wanted to say; "Is it Really Worth, All This Sh|T?"
but I guess that's something only parents can answer ... it's the same everywhere in the world, with any society ... parents would try to do the best for their children ...
I'm quite quite sure though, that they won't be measuring their sacrifices in economic terms ... -
Personally, there's no need for any qualifications to see what MANY undergrads and young emerging locals have in their minds - and their plans and career dreams are largely ABROAD...Originally posted by Fatum:I can kind of understand your thinking ... but then again ... I guess we're not quite qualified to really answer this yet ... we're both not parents yet (though I'm looking forward and trying to become one) ...
but I guess that's something only parents can answer ... it's the same everywhere in the world, with any society ... parents would try to do the best for their children ...
I'm quite quite sure though, that they won't be measuring their sacrifices in economic terms ...
Ask around, and hear what the youngs have to say about their future career plans... unless of course those who plan to become Civil Servants...
And our SM GCT is wondering and worrying about the Local Talent Leakage...?
The problem and its cause is staring at him in the face and he fails to see it!!! -
Wow. Just wow.
If the parents are willing to jump through all those hoops to secure a place for their child in a supposedly "elite" primary school, can you imagine the pressure the parents will be putting on the child to excel academically in that school?
I wonder if these children will ever be able to enjoy their childhood years... -
There are signs that the stereotype is changing.
That 'frog in the well' mentality over 'good schools produce good students' will always linger in some diehard parents. Yet it seems people forget that it is the students who make the school, not the other way around.
For those who literally climb over each other for a spot in some so-called prestigeous primary school, just remember that education starts at home.