Discussion Forum

9 Mar 2012, 3.29PM

7 comments & replies |by REACH Administrator (Master) | Learn and Earn

Speaking at the Parliament on 8 Mar, Education Minister Heng Swee Kiat said that there is a need to change perceptions and mindsets of neighbourhood schools. Minister Heng was responding to MP Teo Ser Luck who said that the label 'neighbourhood school' had created a less than desirable impression compared to 'branded schools'. Minister Heng pointed out that as schools are geographically sited in neighbourhoods, they naturally draw students who live nearby. He added that every school should be a good school, and that many improvements are being made across all schools.

Minister Heng also listed six key attributes of a good school:

• Cares for students, knows their needs, interests and strengths, and motivates them to learn and grow;
• Ensures students acquire strong fundamentals of literacy and numeracy and develops them holistically, in character, knowledge and critical competencies;
• Creates a positive school experience for each student, making him a confident and life-long learner;
• Has caring and competent teachers who are steadfast in their mission to impact lives;
• Has the support of parents and the community, working with them to bring out the best in children; and
• Gives opportunities to all students regardless of family circumstances.

Minister Heng also shared that the Ministry of Education is adopting a four-pronged approach to help schools to level up to become “good schools”. This includes giving schools resources to offer customised programmes that best fit their students' needs; raising teachers' professional standards; encouraging learning and innovation across schools; and promoting partnerships between the schools and community.

Read Minister Heng’s speech and The Straits Times article for more details.

What are your views on this?

1793 views | 7 comments & replies |

Sort By :

(Guru)

KM-W

9 Mar 2012, 4.40PM

By the way, who started all these independence schools (elite), neighbourhood school (rest of the nation) stuff???

Guest

10 Mar 2012, 12.22PM

Every school is a good school. But not all school has good teachers.

Every political party is good. But not all Ministers are good ministers.

Guest

9 Mar 2012, 3.43PM

keep telling yourself that. fact is perceptions will still remain.
success begets success and parents know that. motivated students and supportive families will drive students to achieve more. association with other like minded will only further encourage that behaviour.

I have taught at neighbourhood schools before and it is demoralising as the students were not motivated much and even a good driven child in that kind of environment would be less motivated

True Blue Singaporean

9 Mar 2012, 11.27PM

Food for thought:

After a few rounds of movement in the MOE, MOE finally has a minister who is really talking about education. In my opinion, the attributes of a good school mentioned by the minister should be the primary core attributes every school must focus on in order to provide a more whole rounded education.

However, these attributes can only be seen as ideal as long as our examination and assessment remains upchange, the mindsets of parents remain unchanged. Despite the implementation of programmes like the IB programmes(through-train), these ideal changes remain beneficial only for the minority group of pupils who top their academic results in their respective streams. The majority of the pupils will still have to do well in the traditional examination system in order to advance to the next level.

This brings about these questions:
If a student finishes his/her national examinations, what aspect of his/her achievements will the school in the next level look as as priority to accept the enrolment of the student? Will they still based solely on academic results and practice a strict cut-off system? Or an average student wilth an excellent holistic report will stand a better chance under this new perspective/approach of MOE towards education? Next, how do we 'size' up the students based on their holistic attributes in order to ensure fairness in the system?

In my opinion, the minister's ideal approach to education may need years and massive efforts before we can see any results. We do have a firmly rooted traditional education system which has already shaped the mindsets of various stakeholders within and beyond the education system of Singapore. Lastly, while there are many calls and acknowlegements that the educators are overworked, how is MOE going the roll out this initative with the current resources available in MOE? How is this idea of 'good' school going to be sustainable in the long run? Will it be "silenced" upon the appointment of the next office holder in MOE?

In my opinion, the minister needs to give a better idea on how can MOE ensure every school is a good school so that the minister can account what he has promised and proposed. In addition, how is this change going to shape our education landscape and employment market in the future? Can this "good schools" approach ensure better employment and future for our children?

Guest

9 Mar 2012, 4.47PM

Is he talking in communist language? Is he answering to the question posed? His non-answer script is good fodder for O level composition or GP writing.

(Master)

Citizen SinKaPo

11 Mar 2012, 9.39PM

It is rather small-minded to seek practical justification.

Guest

11 Mar 2012, 10.35PM

Intention is good but there is more issues involved. ie. expectations of students and teachers, direction of education in the future, whether the current system is capable of supporting the initiative proposed, the kind of changes required to ensure this intention is a successful one. So , how can it be small-minded to seek practical justification?
Any suggestion on how we can be more 'big-minded'?