My son is slowly failing in the Singaproe school system...

[offshoreoildude]

What are my options?

He's 11, Australian born Aussie citizen but also a SC. Currently in a local school and really not doing well. He's inattentive and bored to put it bluntly. We've tried after school tuition and more recently in the last two terms a private tutor (gave up on the tuition centre). He's not stupid but no longer engaged in learning.

He hates Malay (his M/T) and I'm divorced from his mother which adds difficulty. I'm considering enrolling him the Australian school. Any other ideas?

[teletraan1]

if he is a SC, then you will not be allowed to enrol him into the AIS on the basis of his Australian citizenship. You will need to seek the permission of MOE and you'll have to make a pretty compelling case before they'll give the nod. Do you have custody or does his mother? have you explored home schooling?

[Saint]

if he is a SC, then you will not be allowed to enrol him into the AIS on the basis of his Australian citizenship. You will need to seek the permission of MOE and you'll have to make a pretty compelling case before they'll give the nod. Do you have custody or does his mother? have you explored home schooling?

Of course SC can enrol at AIS. No idea where you got that from?!

[x9200]

i could not find the link from MOE web page but this is from CIS

In accordance with Singapore law, the Canadian International School (CIS) may only admit students who are not Singapore Citizens (by either birth or registration). Students who are Singapore Citizens require approval from the Ministry of Education (MOE) before acceptance to CIS can be considered.

http://www.cis.edu.sg/page.cfm?p=515

[sundaymorningstaple]

Saint, I didn't realize the MOE had changed their stance. When did this happen? It used to be the only way a Singapore citizen could enroll in a private school was if the child was a "special needs" child or the parents could proved that the child would be emigrating to another country. (in the case of a male child, I would imagine having filed the letter of intent to renounce would be sufficient).

http://www.moe.gov.sg/initiatives/compu ... #footnote1

Statute

The Compulsory Education Act (Cap 51) was passed by Parliament on 9th October 2000 and assented to by the President on 16th October 2000. It provides for compulsory primary education in Singapore and related matters.

Compulsory School Age

According to the Compulsory Education Act, a child of ‘compulsory school age’ is one who is above the age of 6 years and who has not yet attained the age of 15 years.

A child of compulsory school age born after 1st January 1996, and who is citizen of Singapore residing in Singapore, has to attend a national primary school1 as a pupil regularly, unless he/she has been exempted from compulsory education, e.g. a child with special needs, a child attending a designated school, a child receiving home-schooling, (information on exemptions).

Penalty

According to the Compulsory Education Act (Cap 51), where a child fails to attend regularly as a pupil at a national primary school or a designated school/be home-schooled (where exemption is granted), the parent/guardian of the child may be guilty of an offence. The penalties provided in the Act for a person convicted for the offence are a fine not exceeding $5,000, or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months, or to both.

edited to add government link

[Strong Eagle]

It is way off the wall... and... I have a friend whose son was having a great deal of difficulty in school here, including International Schools. He is now going to a jungle school in Bali... literally... and thriving.

PM me if you want more details and I will hook you up.

Cheers.

[Saint]

Saint, I didn't realize the MOE had changed their stance. When did this happen? It used to be the only way a Singapore citizen could enroll in a private school was if the child was a "special needs" child or the parents could proved that the child would be emigrating to another country. (in the case of a male child, I would imagine having filed the letter of intent to renounce would be sufficient).

I know of at least a dozen SC who are at private schools of which some are still dual nationality. According to the AIS website, 3% of their pupils are Singaporean

http://www.ais.com.sg/Enrolments/FAQs.aspx#q11

"What nationalities are represented by the students?
Our school community comprises students from 44 different nationalities. As of Term 1, 2012, the proportion from the main nationalities were: 66% Australian, 7% New Zealanders, 5% British, 4% Korean, 3% Singaporean, 2% South African, 1.5% Malaysian, 1.5% Indonesian, 1.5% American, 1% Japanese."

[x9200]

3% may well be these with the permission from MOE. I guess the easiet way to check this out is to give them a call.

[nutnut]

I've heard of that school SE, that's the Green School in Bali right? they learn about Jungle type skills and traditional subjects all at the same time right? Sounds like fun to be honest.

[Strong Eagle]

I've heard of that school SE, that's the Green School in Bali right? they learn about Jungle type skills and traditional subjects all at the same time right? Sounds like fun to be honest.

That's the one.

[nakatago]

I've heard of that school SE, that's the Green School in Bali right? they learn about Jungle type skills and traditional subjects all at the same time right? Sounds like fun to be honest.

+1

[sensei_]

He's 11, Australian born Aussie citizen but also a SC. Currently in a local school and really not doing well. He's inattentive and bored to put it bluntly. We've tried after school tuition and more recently in the last two terms a private tutor (gave up on the tuition centre). He's not stupid but no longer engaged in learning.

He hates Malay (his M/T) and I'm divorced from his mother which adds difficulty. I'm considering enrolling him the Australian school. Any other ideas?

looks like your son should go and study elsewhere. maybe australia is better for your son. he wont have to deal with a second language. even if you enrol him in an australian school in singapore you are just going to throw good money away.

maybe your kid has ADHD and needs to be doped up on Ritalin to concentrate (as is the common here in australia)

[v4jr4]

What are my options?

He's 11, Australian born Aussie citizen but also a SC. Currently in a local school and really not doing well. He's inattentive and bored to put it bluntly. We've tried after school tuition and more recently in the last two terms a private tutor (gave up on the tuition centre). He's not stupid but no longer engaged in learning.

He hates Malay (his M/T) and I'm divorced from his mother which adds difficulty. I'm considering enrolling him the Australian school. Any other ideas?

Inattentive and bored? How so? The teachers are too "stiff" or what? Or is it because of strict competition?

Not sure if it's related, but some of my relatives said that it's easier to study in Aussie rather than in Singapore. Is that true?

[scarbowl]

Send him to Marlborough or Raffles in Iskandar. Doesn't require MOE approval for that. Leave him a few years and then obtain MOE approval for an International School as he has been educated outside of Singapore for a few years. OR....let him remain there.

[nutnut]

Send him to Marlborough or Raffles in Iskandar. Doesn't require MOE approval for that. Leave him a few years and then obtain MOE approval for an International School as he has been educated outside of Singapore for a few years. OR....let him remain there.

Not a bad idea! Marlborough is supposed to be excellent too!