Children 'start school too young' say experts ZhiGang

Children 'start school too young' say experts 

Summary:

Research has shown that toddlers should not attend schools yet because it deprived them of the time to play, to have fun. The extra years provide a crucial opportunity for toddlers to be toddlers. Most parents think that starting their child early in school means having better results later on in schools. Even though there is nothing wrong with seeking high educational standards, but it is surely wrong when it comes at the cost of the natural development of child.

Opinions:

In my opinion, I disagree to sending toddlers to classes. Every child is different. Different child can withstand different stress levels. Therefore, I think parents should not send their children for classes to early. Evidence has also shown that children who have a longer period of play-based early childhood education, at the age of six to seven, finish up with a whole range of clear advantages in the long term. For example, they do better in academics and they experience more emotional well-being.

More Tools To Boost Bilingual Learning by Ki Eunyu

More Tools To Boost Bilingual Learning

Summary:
Singapore encourages bilingual learning. The Ministry of Education has set up funds to support the bilingualism in Singapore such as the mother tongue language of the students. Ten entries to improve this was suggested and selected based on how relevant it was and how much it will bring benefits to the community. Despite having lack of resources, Singapore will still support bilingual learning.

My Opinion: I personally think that bilingual learning in Singapore is important as Singapore uses mainly English and students may forget their own language. I feel that knowing your own language is very important and something that one must know. Thus, Singapore should keep on supporting this system.

MOE policies: holistic education by Ki Eunyu

Education in Singapore

Summary:

MOE believes in education system that will educate one not only academically but as a whole. MOE believes that this system will provide suitable education for students who are strong in different areas and develop a good opportunity for the students to reach their potentials. MOE wishes that through the different education they are providing, students will be able to progress with the values they have learnt in their life.

Opinion:

In my opinion, holistic education is very helpful. It will help to identify and develop the potentials of a child. This means that one may succeed with a certain talent even if he is not good academically. Thus, I feel that MOE policy of holistic education will enable joy in some students as they do what they enjoy such as arts.

Singapore educaton system by Ryan

Summary:
The Ministry of Education aims to help our students to discover their own talents, to make the best of these talents and realise their full potential, and to develop a passion for learning that lasts through life. It's to build the next generation of Singaporean for the future but it will also bring changes that cannot be foreseen. It have been moving in recent years towards an education system is more flexible and diverse to provide students with greater choice to meet their different interests and ways of learning.

Opinion: In my opinion, the education system has a good approach as it will encourage them to have better ownership in learning. It also help every child to find their own talent as the system is more diverse. Their talent in sports or the arts could be promoted so they would work hard to achieve their dreams of their talent.

Bridging the education gap by JunTian

Summary: Like most parents, dad Vincent Chia wants to help his son Josiah, 11, when he struggles with his mathematics homework. The problem is, however, education have changed a lot since nearly 40 years ago. Pupils in primary schools solve maths problems these days by the models method. Still, as the well-meaning Mr Chia, 46, says: “I can’t help but use the method I learnt”. His boy is in Yew Tee Primary School. While parents want to help, for teachers it is a hindrance. “It just confuses the pupils,” says Ms Elaine Tan, 42, a teacher at Xinmin Primary School, who has had to ask parents not to step in and teach their kids algebra., Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, call this a 40-year conceptual and communication gap. Parents such as Mr Chia are in the dark, disconnected from their own children’s learning, as Singapore’s education system switches from training exam-smart children to preparing today’s youth for an uncertain world in which critical thinking and problem-solving are prized.

Opinion: I feel that it is a good thing that the education system in Singapore is changing from being exam-based to training students to be prepared for their future as an adult and for their careers. I feel that this is what education should really be instead of just learning some things that you might hardly use in the future. However, this have caused an "education gap" between parents, teachers and students. While teachers try to bring in new teaching methods, parents might still prefer their own traditional methods. Parents may also be too obsessive with the grades of children, and feel that lessons like moral education is a waste of time. However, these are the lessons that are really important for students.

Should Parents Pay For Their Children's College Education by ZhiGang

Should Parents Pay For Their Children's College Education?

 Summary: Parents wants to give the best to their children and it has been a topic that parents usually discuss whether their children should shoulder the responsibility of footing college fees. Not all children are born with a silver spoon, college expenses can be a burden to some parents who are not able to afford it. However, parents give what they have to their children because they love them. Some even feel that it is an investment worth make on their children.

Opinion: In my opinion, I feel that parents should pay for the college fees. And it is our responsibility to do well for our education so that when we graduate, it will be our turn to take care of our parents. For now, studying will be our utmost priority as we will get a better job the next time when we enter the workforce. If we work and study now, it may affect our studies which is why parents should foot the bill now.