AN AMBITIOUS overhaul is being planned for primary education, to nurture pupils who love learning, are exposed to a wide variety of experiences and equipped with the skills to tackle life's challenges.
Yes, it's heartening indeed. I hope the implementation goes off smoothly. I would really love my children to have a completely different education from the rigid system that I myself had as a kid here. Most importantly, I want them to be able to say "I love going to school".
doing away with exams comes as a big relief for parents with pri 1 and pri 2 children who simply couldn't guage the presure and stress they put on their children.
I am a product of the Singapore education system, and so is my wife and our three children.
Two things I'd like those who make the decisions to note:
1) Why is it necessary to make young children who are 7 or 8 years old learn something they can learn when they are 9 or 10? I just cannot see the point. It just takes the fun out of learning. Education is not all about scoring A's but about enjoying the journey and desiring to know more. I want to...not have to.
2) Please emphasise more on articulation and communication skills. Our kids, by and large, know a lot but have a difficult time verbalising what they do know. Just listen to the average 10-12 year old and compare them with those in Australia or the US.
It's good that MOE is now focussing on character building. To take it a step forward, MOE should discourage schools ranking based on examination results.
January 28, 2009 Wednesday, 05:07 AM
