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This young lady ask for the PSLE to be removed totally and to just have 'O' Levels. What do you think? http://edumatters.sg/please-scrap-the-psle/

Catholic High guys just won a lottery man. IP with CHIJ and SCGS chicks! http://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/new-jc-named-eunoia-to-take-in-chij-st-nicholas-catholic-high-ip-students-in?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Facebook#xtor=CS1-10 SINGAPORE - The new junior college taking in the Integrated Programme (IP) students graduating from three secondary schools has been named Eunoia Junior College. The new JC will start taking in its first batch of students in 2017 from Catholic High School, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls' School and Singapore Chinese Girls' School (SCGS). Through the IP, these students can go on to JC without taking the O levels. Acting Minister for Education Ng Chee Meng revealed the name of the institution on Tuesday (Dec 29) at the yearly appointment and appreciation ceremony for principals at the Shangri-La Hotel. He said that the name "Eunoia" has Greek origins and that it means "beautiful thinking" and "goodwill towards others". "I'm confident that the college will work hard at nurturing students to have these qualities in addition to possessing innovative thinking and developing the Singapore heartbeat," he said. Related Story Students must be innovators for Singapore to succeed: Acting Education Minister Ng Chee Meng Madam Cheang Mei Heng is helming Eunoia Junior College which will be sited at an interim campus in the former Raffles Junior College campus in Mount Sinai. Its permanent campus, at the junction of Sin Ming Avenue and Marymount Road, will be ready only at the end of 2019. The new JC will also accept O-level students from other secondary schools. Its advisory committee has been appointed effective from Dec 22, 2015, to Dec 21, 2017. The six-member committee, led by Professor Su Guaning, president emeritus of the Nanyang Technological University, consists of parents and alumni, as well as professionals and grassroots leaders.

Very interesting article. https://jaxenter.com/learn-to-code-its-harder-than-you-think-122738.html I totally agree with it. I did join the computing club when i was in secondary 1. Found it too tough, i just couldn't do even simple programming. My brain isn't just wired correctly to do this. My wife did computer engine. By her own admission, she's at best an average programmer. But even then i think her logical processing at least in terms of computing is way beyond me. So good coders/programmers is still something in very short supply and a skill like learning surgery or being a pilot.

Some of us might had reservation about the extensive use of computers and digital media in today's classrooms. A recent OECD report confirms this: Computers 'do not improve' pupil results - latest OECD report warned. The OECD's education director Andreas Schleicher says school technology had raised "too many false hopes.. http://www.bbc.com/news/business-34174796 The report also mentioned: Students who use computers very frequently at school get worse resultsStudents who use computers moderately at school, such as once or twice a week, have "somewhat better learning outcomes" than students who use computers rarelyThe results show "no appreciable improvements" in reading, mathematics or science in the countries that had invested heavily in information technology.High achieving school systems such as South Korea and Shanghai in China have lower levels of computer use in school.Singapore, with only a moderate use of technology in school, is top for digital skills

In the past, parents will eagerly volunteer at schools to get priority placing for their children going into P1. Based on this year's stats, and because of the new ruling to keep 40 spaces for Phase 2B and 2C, there is one school so popular that there may not be any vacancies at all for Phase 2A(2)! Guess which school? http://edumatters.sg/p1-registration-phase-2a1-closed-stats-update/

no wonder the slightly better of families in KL send their kids to private colleges.

P1 registration: Child must live at declared address for at least 30 months from July 2, 2015 Children who have secured places in primary schools under the home-school distance priority will be required to stay at the address for at least 30 months from the start of the Primary 1 registration exercise on July 2, 2015. -- PHOTO: ST FILE By Amelia Teng SINGAPORE - Children who have secured places in primary schools under the home-school distance priority scheme will be required to live at the address for at least 30 months from the start of the Primary 1 registration exercise on July 2. This new rule applies to children entering primary school next year. Previously there was no specific length of time set by the Ministry of Education (MOE). The ministry said on its website: "A child who gains priority admission into a school through his/her distance category is required to reside at the address used for registration for at least 30 months from the commencement of the P1 registration exercise on 2 July 2015." The ministry said that there are a small number of cases where families are unable to remain at the registered address for the entire duration of their children's primary school studies. Even so, a child who gains priority admission into school by distance must still abide by the new rule, it said. "If this condition is not met, MOE reserves the right to transfer the child to another school with vacancies, as the priority admission to the first school was based on the declared address used for registration," the ministry said. "The home-school distance category priority is given with the expectation that the family will reside at the address for the duration of the child's primary school studies, as it is for the convenience and interest of the child," it added. Families which have bought a yet-to-be completed property and plan to move in after it is completed, are required to live at the new address for at least 30 months starting from the time the family moves into the property. "For example, if the child registers in 2015 and only moves into the new address in July 2017, the 30 months stay period starts from July 2017," MOE said on its website. In March this year, a father who lied about where he lived to get his daughter into a top primary school was sentenced to two weeks in jail. The 35-year-old self-employed man, who cannot be named to protect his daughter's identity, pleaded guilty in February to giving false information to the school's principal on July 30, 2013. A charge of lying to a police sergeant 10 days earlier to change the address on his identity card was taken into consideration. The man had indicated his address as being within 1km to 2km of the brand-name school, when he registered his daughter under Phase 2C of the Primary 1 registration exercise in 2013. This allowed his daughter to secure a place. His identity card showed the same address, but the man actually lived in Balestier Road, which fell outside the priority radius. The address he provided belonged to his uncle's sister, and had been rented out. His subterfuge came to light when MOE visited the place. [email protected] - See more at: http://www.straitstimes.com/news/singapore/education/story/p1-registration-child-must-stay-declared-address-least-30-months-july#sthash.AgdvwxeK.dpuf

Hi guys, EduMatters is running a lucky draw with a 3D2N Staycation at Sentosa as the grand prize! Taking part is really easy. Just leave a memorable school story (Can be teachers, school programs, school staff etc) to be eligible! Also you can have multiple entries for the different schools you have attended (as a student), or even the school that your child is attending (as a parent). Hope one of the Bros from MCF win the staycation at Festive Hotel! http://edumatters.sg/promotions/

Secondary schools now require long pants to be worn at upper secondary level. Do u think it makes sense in this weather and should this rule be changed, eg like Catholic High etc

http://edumatters.sg/cca-system-leaps-2-0-everything-you-need-to-know/ New CCA system has a lot of new terms and ways of measurement. If you kid is in Secondary school.....must check this out to see if they are doing ok!

Daekyo Eye Level Singapore Eye Level is an individualised, self-directed learning programme. Guidance and planning provided to the child is customised according to each student’s unique skills and abilities. As such, we believe that if we were to direct students based on their “eye level”, their learning will be more effective. In a traditional classroom setting, however, as the teacher has to cater his/her teaching to the majority of the class (i.e. the average students), students whose skills are below average will be left out. Conversely, students whose skills are above average will find lessons boring. In the Math programme, not only are students exposed to Basic Thinking Math, they are also challenged to Critical Thinking Math - logical and critical Math problems. Critical Thinking Math enhances problem solving and spatial sense right from the very beginning. PlayMath (for ages 3 to 5) encourages hands-on learning. Each book used in every lesson are specifically tailored to enhance the child’s psychomotor skills and learning mathematical concepts by playing, folding, listening to stories, using of stickers. PlayMath encompasses a child’s every needs in embarking into the realms of Mathematics. Developed with UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles), Eye Level’s English programme encompasses the four primary skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking. By enhancing high frequency vocabulary and grammar points; and repeated exposure as the level goes higher, the English programme ensures retention within the child. The Chinese Junior programme was developed with Beijing University specifically with dual immersion environment in mind. The programme uses games, chants and songs to stimulate learning in the lower levels, and morphs incrementally into conversational and writing. All programmes have a structured progression, and have compartmentalised topics, hence allowing micro-repetition (within the topic) should there be a need. Also, a diagnostic test is administered prior to the start of the programme, so Instructor can pinpoint the start the child’s level, right down to the booklet, within that level. Our programmes – Maths, English, Play Math and Chinese Jr - are recommended for students between 3 and 14 years old. However, 80% of our students are between 3 and 10 years old. Eye Level is the Key to Self-Directed Learning . We nurture : Problem Solvers Critical Thinkers Lifelong Learners Daekyo Eye Level Singapore 3501 Jalan Bukit Merah , #01-02 Rubikon , Singapore 159460 For further information, please visit www.myeyelevel.com or call us at +65 6397 6117.

http://www.tremeritus.com/2014/03/04/puthucheary-scoffs-at-nmp-liens-free-education-idea/ Puthucheary scoffs at NMP Lien’s free education idea March 4th, 2014 | Author: Editorial Dr Puthucheary Nominated Member of Parliament Laurence Lien, CEO of the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (NVPC), proposed in Parliament yesterday (3 Mar) that the government guarantee free basic education for all Singaporeans between 3 to 18 years. Mr Lien said in his speech (‘NMP Lien: Every generation is a pioneer generation‘): Primary and secondary education is essentially free in Singapore. Pre-school education is receiving substantially more subsidies. Can we not simply guarantee free basic education for all between 3 to 18 years? For pre-school, a universal voucher can be provided to all children, set at the median fees charged by all operators. Tertiary education fees can be chargeable in the form of a loan whose repayment is a proportion of what the graduate actually earns in the workforce. Those going into lower paid professions, like in the nonprofit sector, can receive loan forgiveness if they are unable to make full payment at the end of their loan tenure. However, Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC MP Janil Puthucheary poured scorn on Mr Lien’s proposal to offer free basic education to Singaporean children from 3 to 18 years old. The Malaysia-born Dr Puthucheary, who famously equated saving childrens’ lives in KK Hospital as a pediatrician to serving National Service, said: I listened in interest to Mr Lien’s suggestions. He called for free education while acknowledging that much of the education is currently at very low cost. Free education is not free. It’s very, very expensive to the society as a whole, to those societies that deliver free education, there is a very high taxation burden and it drives behaviour for individuals to seek private education. And so the access to opportunity differentiates across the income spectrum. What is the outcome? The outcome we need is equality of opportunity for all. And free education, will it improve the equality of opportunity by giving similar access to everybody, I am doubtful of that. Dr Puthucheary did not explain how a high tax burden in some first world countries is driving citizens of those countries to seek private education. Dr Puthucheary sought further to rebut Mr Lien: He (Mr Lien) also called for the envisioning of possibilities and talked about the reality on the ground. I have to say I take umbrage at this. In 1995, 99% of the time the reality on the ground is that Singaporeans work hard, they’re rewarded for their hard work and they do envision the possibilities. They do have pride in the work that they do and they have self confidence that they can build a better future for themselves and for their families. I’ve one family I know very well through my MPS and my work on the ground. The gentleman is quite unwell and requires regular help at one of the hospitals. He’s unable to work at this point in time. His wife works to support the entire family. But they envision the possibility when their daughter receives the educational merit bursary award. They know that their daughter has possibility, has opportunity, has equality of access to that opportunity and they can see the future. The lady in question has pride and self confidence in her ability to maintain and provide for her family. Mr Laurence Lien is a grandson of the late Lien Ying Chow, founder of Overseas Union Bank (OUB) which later merged with United Overseas Bank (UOB) after the government-linked Development Bank of Singapore (DBS) tried to make a hostile takeover bid for OUB in 2001. At the time, the elder Mr Lien did not want DBS to acquire OUB so he decided to merge with UOB. On 1 August 2001, DBS was forced to apologise and pay compensation for a document condemning the merger of UOB and OUB. The DBS document said that there was likely to be “decision paralysis and infighting” if the merger went ahead. The act of UOB buying OUB was “designed to keep family control intact without regard for shareholder value,” and OUB shareholders “should chastise its board and management”. The document also referred to a “board and management team composed of family and friends”. Later, DBS chairman S Dhanabalan said he was “angry and upset” the statements had been made and accepted responsibility although the document had not been prepared by his bank. DBS apologised to UOB and OUB and paid $1 million to both banks. Both UOB and OUB accepted Mr Dhanabalan’s apology and the retraction of statements, and donated the $1 million dollars compensation to charity.

read this article. quite an interesting one. http://tinyurl.com/kfd896r the context is in America, but IMO it is really relevant to our local scene as well. the paragraph that struck me are as follows: "How many poor inner-city kids could be brilliant computer programmers if given the chance? Probably a lot. Uneducated people can do amazing things when given the chance. Two years ago, a foundation left a crate of tablets for kids in an Ethiopian village. As The Registerreports, "within five months, they had hacked Android." " "You don't get to pick your parents, but your parents' income has a huge impact on your educational attainment, and hence your future income. I don't know why that is – it's likely a mix of cost and culture -- but it's true. And as long as it's true, a large portion of an average person's income is tied to something they have no control over." "how many people are in positions of power – CEOs, managers, bankers, regulators, and politicians –not because they're gifted, but because their parents were able to provide a great education?" wow... question is, how do we get out of that rut if we have parents that are in the lower spectrum of the salary scale?

Funding cuts for top independent schools in Singapore MOE also tells schools to moderate fund-raising for campus upgrading Six top independent schools in Singapore, including Hwa Chong Institution, have had their funding cut and, along with other mission schools, have been told to moderate fund-raising activities for campus upgrading. -- ST FILE PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN By Sandra Davie Senior Education Correspondent Six top independent schools in Singapore have had their funding cut and, along with other mission schools, have been told to moderate fund-raising activities for campus upgrading. In addition, they will have to comply with a new directive urging all schools with air-conditioned classrooms to install fans and use air-conditioning only when necessary. The six schools rank among the top in the Singapore education scene, comprising the Raffles secondary schools and its junior college, Hwa Chong Institution, Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) and NUS High School of Mathematics and Science. They all run both the Integrated Programme (IP) and Gifted Education Programme (GEP). The IP provides a seamless secondary and junior college education with students bypassing the O levels. The GEP caters to students in the top 1 to 2 per cent of their cohort.

what? no air-con school bus?

first my thought is is he local? 2nd, the ranking come from the result but i dun think the learning experience in local university is encouraging or enjoying.

Really? please share what is your TOP concern.. --- Education is residents' top concern Bukit Panjang residents say Singapore should not be a country of tuition teachers, in dialogue with Balakrishnan by Tan Weizhen 04:45 AM Nov 19, 2012 SINGAPORE - More education options for slow learners or needy students, relook some schools' system of assigning the best teachers to the best classes, review teachers' workload. These were just a few of the myriad of suggestions 108 residents raised at a National Conversation dialogue held at Bukit Panjang yesterday. The residents had responded to an invitation by their Member of Parliament, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, and it was evident education was among the issues that most concerned them. They also discussed issues on housing, transport and declining birth rates. Most residents wanted many parts of the education system to be overhauled, from a nationalisation of pre-school education to a renewed focus on cultivating the love of learning in children. One group of residents did not want Singapore to be "a country of tuition teachers", and felt there were too many remedial or supplementary classes when it should be more targeted. Another group "pitied" teachers and said parents need to be educated against the pitfalls of placing too much emphasis on examinations. does this mean the definition of meritocracy need to be adjusted? Dr Balakrishnan, who is Minister for Environment and Water Resources, agreed with the residents, saying that developing values and education are areas to think about, as children are being prepared to meet future challenges. He said: "(The) PSLE is important

Hello all, Anyone heard or attended Landmark Forum education? They do conduct sessions here in Singapore. Just wanted to find out from attendees on what they have gained. Rgds

CNA reported: Low marks for local pre-schools By Ng Jing Yng, TODAY | Posted: 27 June 2012 0556 hrs SINGAPORE: The Republic has been placed in the bottom half of an international ranking on early childhood education, coming in 29th out of 45 countries. Conducted by the Economist Intelligence Unit and commissioned by the Lien Foundation, the study looks at various aspects of the pre-school environment in each country, such as affordability and quality, to compute an overall Starting Well index. European countries dominated the top 20 spots with Finland and Sweden leading the pack, while India was ranked last. Among the Asian countries, South Korea had the highest ranking at 10th place, followed by Hong Kong at 19th place. Singapore was the highest ranked among the South-east Asian countries. When it comes to the specific indicators, Singapore ranked 30th in the quality of pre-school education due to factors such as a high student-teacher ratio and lower academic requirements for its pre-school teachers. Singapore has a one to 20 teacher-student ratio and its teachers require a minimum of five O-level credits and a diploma in pre-school education. The top ranking country Finland, in comparison, has an average ratio of 11 pupils per teacher and a bachelor's degree is needed to qualify as an early childhood educator. In terms of affordability, which looks at features like government subsidies and the cost of a private pre-school, Singapore ranked 21st. The intention of the study is "not to be fixated with the rankings but to look at the best practices" in early childhood education around the world, said Lien Foundation chief executive Lee Poh Wah. The findings, presented yesterday, come at a time when the Government is implementing changes to the pre-school sector. Ongoing efforts include a review of pre-school curriculum guidelines and raising pre-school educators' qualifications. If what the report stated are true, what our kids learn during 3 years in pre-schooling (nursery & 2 yrs kindergarden).... Our Gov spend so much on education every year and we still ranked at 29th of the 45 countries been studied.... One consolation, ranked highest in South East Asia.

From CNA: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/sin...1184974/1/.html Don't be anxious about securing P1 spots, education minister tells parents By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 24 February 2012 1322 hrs

Now we know why we can never have a Steve Jobs or Bill Gates in Spore? Coz we are taught to be KIASU! http://sg.news.yahoo.com/blogs/the-flipsid...BHRlc3QD;_ylv=3

https://www.facebook.com/notes/janelle-nico...150248404359401 She has good critical thinking, high moral values and dare to speak up. [thumbsup] Singapore need more of this type of people. [rolleyes]

I am curious what is the education level of MCFs here since I noticed many of us are affected by TT's policy over giving more admission at NUS/NTU to foreign student and awarding them with free scholarships while many of us locals are burden with education loans or denied admission due to highly competitive entry standards.

I am thinking 1k a month....by the time she turns 19 and ready for university, the money will come in handy. How about the rest? Does it make sense to invest the money for it to roll? I am a complete investment idiot....anyone can guide me?

I have a 21 month old girl, by now she could recognize some shapes like stars, say 1 to 6, some animals name, a few alphabets. Bros here who are parents, want to ask is my kid's progress ok or not? What could your kid say or read at this age?