Primary One registration Worries
Posted: June 27, 2008It is the time of the year that Singapore Ministry of Education officially announced next year Primary One registration period starts next week. It is the time when parents are making major decisions for their children’s early education. Some made wise decisions, some made wrong decisions. Some made decisions on what they expect their children to perform and not what the children’s capabilities and interests are. Maybe it is the type of education molding that Singapore government has implemented some 20 years back that cause parents to overlook what the children’s capabilities and put them way above their capabilities. To excel and do beyond to be Number 1 or top 5 % elite in academic is what our government thinks is the best for its citizen and next generation. Very naturally if the parents are brought up in such education system, they expect their children to do the same too. Am I one of them ? I think I am becoming an exceptional one. I was once part of the top 10 % elite ( not qualified for Gifted Class but for SAP schools ) Boy, I suffer so much pressure that even the thoughts of going through that period of my secondary school sent shivers down my spine. Rarely, I still have nightmares about completing my school works and projects and even remembered being reprimanded as of one of the bottom few who did not make it to the so called Elite Junior Colleague.
Now as a mom, it’s time to make decision for my daughter’s education. Was it easy ? I thought it was till I realised that decisions made have to be family consensus approved. In a very traditional Chinese family, the oldest and eldest of the family are most well- respected, my daughter being the only grand daughter of the line of family is the ” Attention of the family.” As like every proud grandparents and parents, we believe our child is smart and intelligent and wanted the so called best for her. In my heart, I know my daughter’s smartness and nature. The school that family wanted her to enroll is the top primary school in Singapore. In fact, her road-map for her easy enrollment into this school is mapped out by her wise paternal grandmum. (who passed away just 2 years ago). As for me, I just wanted her to be enrolled into a school that teaches the right moral values and share the same belief as our Christian faith, not one that is academically strong and socially and value wise will be in conflict with our belief.
Well, things not always worked out as it is planned. Why do I say so.
1/ We shifted our house so that we can be near to my husband’s family. It was within 2 km from the school. Initially, it was planned that we stay in government housing apartment which is smaller but is just 500 m away from the school. All for the priority phrase for admission. I would not willing to compromise on a spacious house for much smaller house just for the sake of within 1 km rule. Now, we really enjoyed our stay in this new house.
2/ Enrollment into a Association hoping to have a chance to get priority into the 2nd phrase of enrollment
3/Our planned holiday falls right in the middle of the enrollment. Fortunately, her aunty can help to be a proxy for the submission of her enrollment form
More worries to come : Stress did not stop here. Children who are not in phrase 1 will have to check if there are sufficient vacancies for the class. Worst scenario is balloting.
Most parents cried when they realised that their last chance of ballots did not get their child into the school. To top it up. some parents have to do 80- hours of voluntary work before they child can be qualified to enroll. Not guaranteed a seat. One of my ex-colleague did so. He became the school traffic warden for more than 80 hours in the afternoon sun but his efforts paid off. He gets his eldest to the top elite school in Singapore ( which one was it ? The one where most ministers sent their children and grandchildren too !)
As for me, I am doing what is necessary for her enrollment. Getting all her vaccine done with the certification proof (compulsory for all primary one), prepare her proxy letter to appoint her aunty to submit on our behalf. Go for our long awaited Japan holidays and just wait for the results. I believe that it is never that worst if she cannot get into the family choice of the so called elite school. ( Somewhere in my heart, I was hoping she will get to a school which she will enjoyed and will learn better; not one that pumping pressure into these little 7-12 years old heads and making them an academic genius but a social failure.)
