tuition crazy singapore

[the lynx]

doesn't that show the quality of the education and whats wrong with the system? if you need to spend more on educating your child outside because the school is not enough and yet there's this image that Singapore has a high quality of education.

What is does show is how important it is that you get your children into a "good school" because the top schools (from what I've heard) do give a good quality education. Its the others that are lacking. This was one of the issues raised in the run up to the last GE.

Very true. However, this would take a few years for things to change, if it ever change. There is only so much I can do, so for now as a parent myself of 2 bubbly children studying in a local school, I just have to engage the service of tuition agency to cope with their peers.

Just an interesting thought.

If you are sending them to tuition for them to 'cope with their peers', then the purpose wouldn't be purely for learning, would it?

Another interesting thought, as a parent, would one be content that the child is able to perform sufficiently at his age (and leave plenty of room and time for him to grow and develop outside of classroom, especially through playing and exploring), or be content that the child is among the top in the class, relative to other children in the same class or school?

Would that be the case of keeping up with the Joneses eh?

Disclaimer: I'm just trying to steer discussion from your perspective. Please try not to misconstrue me as attacking your option for your child.

[JR8]

PinkUmber just got nailed for spamming in her 2nd post. So don't be surprised if she shows less interest in the forum in the future...

[v4jr4]

Asia is a very competitive region, in terms of education, whether it be Sing, Mal., Japan, Korea, China or Vietnam and being 'average' simply isn't good enough

That's why we get Tiger Mom Eagle Dad. I don't want to say that this is the way the Asians do, but seeing my nephews struggled for O level is just . . . scary

[Alisonfh]

I think there's also an element of "academic elitism" (can't think of a better term for it)

Heard from some colleagues that kids are streamed every other year all throughout their 12 years in school, and there's a "rush" to get their kids into the top schools because anywhere else and it lowers their chances of getting into university or something.

[ScoobyDoes]

Regardless of perceived problems, I know my son will be better off in a local school here than back home......and that's just the way it is.

When you hear employers in the UK complaining about not being able to hire anyone because the standard of written English and reading is so bad they can't start to work, we have to put issues here into perspective.

[sundaymorningstaple]

Regardless of perceived problems, I know my son will be better off in a local school here than back home......and that's just the way it is.

When you hear employers in the UK complaining about not being able to hire anyone because the standard of written English and reading is so bad they can't start to work, we have to put issues here into perspective.

Exactly why I put my kids (sic!) through the local system 25 years ago. The US public school system has been shot to hell and will take 40 years to get it back to where it was 45 years ago when I graduated.