REACH (Telegram) 63 - Why do you think tuition has become so prevalent in Singapore? How many families do you know whose children do not attend tuition?
(SK)
03 Mar 2025 (10am - 7pm)
REACH (Telegram)
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 10:20 AM]
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REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 10:24 AM]
📢 Topic 📢
MOE has observed some tuition centres using advertising tactics that appealed to parents’ anxieties and fear of missing out, and that it was studying how to discourage such practices. Education Minister Chan Chun Sing called out some “black sheep” within the industry for using fear-based tactics, and for pre-selecting better students and then claiming credit for their academic achievements.
💬 Why do you think tuition has become so prevalent in Singapore? How many families do you know whose children do not attend tuition?
📌 How tuition centres create demand
Amid criticism of unethical marketing tactics, ST reached out to 21 tuition centres to ask about their marketing practices, and whether they had plans to reassess their promotional methods.
Five responded, with all saying that their current advertising practices were within acceptable bounds, and that they would not be affected should guidelines be introduced.
Dr Wong Hwei Ming, assistant centre director at NIE’s Centre for Research in Pedagogy and Practice, said tuition centres employ a range of advertising and recruitment strategies, including highlighting success stories through student testimonials. Some also include photos of students from top schools in their school uniforms.
Many centres emphasise the credentials and experience of their tutors, especially if they are NIE-trained or former MOE teachers.
Still, tuition can be helpful in a number of ways, said Dr Wong, providing support to students who are struggling with specific subjects or concepts, reinforcing classroom learning and providing enrichment for high-achieving students.
Winners Education Centre’s Mr Sean Chua said some tuition centres claim their students get more distinctions compared with the national average.
“That’s misleading since nobody knows how they get that data in the first place. This is not shared by MOE or any school,” he said, adding that parents should always check, instead of relying solely on what they see in ads.
📌 Why parents are keen on tuition
Despite MOE’s efforts to reduce academic stress, and its policy changes – such as the revamp of the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scoring system, and dropping exams for Primary 1 and Primary 2 pupils and mid-year exams for primary and secondary schools – the demand for tuition has not waned.
Dr Wong said parents have a deep-seated belief that excellent academic achievement is necessary for their children to secure a better future.
Sociologist Paulin Straughan said parents in Singapore start turning to tuition largely because they believe that the PSLE plays a crucial role in securing a spot in a preferred secondary school for their child.
Stress over the PSLE and reliance on tuition will persist as long as the exam remains a key filter for secondary school placements.
And while exaggerated advertising is widespread, not all parents are easily swayed.
Prof Straughan said parents tend to trust word-of-mouth recommendations over advertisements, while location is an important factor since tuition often takes place on weekends or in the evening.
👉🏼 [ST] Tuition centres say they advertise ethically, welcome potential regulation [https://str.sg/kuUU]
👉🏼 [ST] We got tuition for our children to help them, not because we are swayed by ads, say parents [https://str.sg/D3Ea]
----
Khai Mun L., [3/3/2025 10:31 AM]
Attending tutition might be side effect of having too few children.
Parents want their single kid to be the best amongst everyone because their hopes are focused on single offspring
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 10:42 AM]
Because I keep failing my exams so I go to tuition
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 10:43 AM]
Hoping another teacher can teach better and let me absorb better
Adam, [3/3/2025 10:44 AM]
Tuitions are a scapegoat for the flawed education system. If MOE can prove that a tuition going child has the same opportunities as those that dont go. The results will speak for themselves
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 10:44 AM]
it is a must or necessary to have tuition for the children.?
1.) there are more things in life then pure objectives of achieving high score in tests or examination.
2.) does tuition helps the children understand the subject or just plain trick in memorizing without the essence of understanding the subject.?
3.) it is additional cost for the parents as suggested by khai mun. giving the false impression and attitude that raising children is costly.
4.) achieving good grades in school does not guarantee that the children will he successful in life. it is misleading connotation, and myth.
5.) of course if the parents can afford such costly tuitions, i do not see the need to put a stop to it. as it provides a form of business for the teaching and tuition professions.
6.) Just need to promote and advertise more on those children who didn't attend tuition and yet able to achieve good grades, and build good character, and critical thinking, and achievement in school. to counter the negative cycle of conventional myth that tuition is a must.
365, [3/3/2025 10:44 AM]
Tuition will be prevalent for as long as grades are taken into account for gaining perceived advantages, such as "better schools" across all levels.
It doesn't matter when the government say all schools are equal, if people don't perceive it that way. The only way to change that perception is to demolish the structure of "good/elite schools" and reconstruct them to be more aligned with neighborhood schools. This is however an extreme measure and careful consideration needs to be taken before deciding to implement it.
Another plausible method is reducing the weightage academic scores have on entry to schools, thus reducing the advantage good academic scores bring. If we were to do this in a meritocratic society like Singapore, we would have to replace it with other merit based components.
A good start will be soft skills like public speaking and leadership roles.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 10:44 AM]
On another side of scale I want to show off my knowledge so I go tuition to show off I am smart. So to get praises from more people
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 10:45 AM]
can be more specific if you think the education system is flawed. it is pointless to generically saying it is flawed without stating which part of it is flawed.
Adam, [3/3/2025 10:46 AM]
Lol who goes tuition to show off knowledge? When i grew up i had the perception that tuition is to help in weaker subjects. Maybe now changed
Adam, [3/3/2025 10:48 AM]
Well to be precise,
We have limited resources, and we allocate it to the students that perform well.
Meritocracy at its finest.
However, it seems those of a higher economic class have easier access to those resources.
Khai Mun L., [3/3/2025 10:49 AM]
Focus on non-academic might not solve the whole issue though. There are also tuition classes for 'out of box thinking' etc
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 10:49 AM]
still generic.
Adam, [3/3/2025 10:50 AM]
Sadly, focus on non academic kinda increase the disparity more. Only richer parents can afford to send kids to expensive activities to fluff their resume
365, [3/3/2025 10:51 AM]
Non-academics does not have to mean extra curricular activities.
It can be the qualities that have shown in class, to be assessed by the teacher.
How well they can lead others, how they can critically think to solve problems, initiatives that they take up.
365, [3/3/2025 10:52 AM]
There will never be an area where tuition will have 0 effect on, but there are areas where tuition has more effect on than others.
Adam, [3/3/2025 10:53 AM]
Non academic can also be having parent be an alumni
Hanny, [3/3/2025 10:55 AM]
Do we need to blame tuition center? Do we blame McD, kfc and its friends?
What are we trying to achieve? If it is to bring some control to tuition biz, I’m all for it. It’s similar to put sugar content marking on bottled drinks.
365, [3/3/2025 10:56 AM]
One flaw I find which may lead to tuition having a disproportionate effect on academics, is how the exams are being made.
In my memory, I hated how rote memorization is a way to get good grades. It speaks nothing in terms of understanding.
I think tuition disproportionately affects the grades you can achieve with this type of exam rather than those that require thinking.
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 10:58 AM]
Best academic examination to test the children understanding.
and design a final year projects, for the children to accomplish, in order to see and assess how well they understand their subjects and application in real life.
it can be ranged from simple and easy project, and gradually increases in its complexity as they progress up from primary schools, to secondary schools, to polytechnics and universities.
.....
such project based final year assessment is good to start from young, as it also helps to prepare them for polytechnics and universities.
.....
grading system
1.) examination scores
2.) projects result.
finally grade is the balance of both.
Hanny, [3/3/2025 10:59 AM]
If it is to bring down the stress, parent’s mindset needs to change.
We cannot blame moe and tuition center.
Do we want to remove exam like Malaysia?
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 11:00 AM]
[ Poll : Do you agree that excessive tuition can be detrimental to a student and should be regulated? ]
- Strongly Agree
- Agree
- Neutral
- Disagree
- Strongly Disagree
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 11:00 AM]
no. cannot be removing examination like Malaysia. Our students' standard is higher than Malaysia. why go bring down the standard when our education system has its good point and strength.
Hanny, [3/3/2025 11:02 AM]
Then we should not talk about exam being a culprit.
365, [3/3/2025 11:03 AM]
We have to look at other countries where tuition is not as huge of an industry relative to their population. Why it works for them and what qualities can we extract from them with our current limitations.
A lot of it comes down to cultural beliefs and thinking. With a Chinese majority population in Singapore, many believe that grades and studies are of upmost importance. We can see this trait being shared alongside other east Asian countries such as China and South Korea, while western countries tend to hold education on a lower priority.
What are the reasons? Maybe partly because they believe they can succeed even with a lower education, and there are many living proof amongst them.
Are we able to change such a deep rooted cultural belief? Perhaps, but it'll take time.
You regulate tuition in Singapore, is there a possibility of foreign tuition through online communications? How will you regulate that then?
Many things downstream has to change, including how many companies look at grades when hiring fresh grads.
It's not going to be an easy or quick change.
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 11:03 AM]
assess which part of our education is doing well and which part is lacking then think of a solution to solve the issue. instead of removing examination... without a certain level of examination there is no way to measure the level of the students' understanding, assess their strength and weaknesses.
Hanny, [3/3/2025 11:03 AM]
Moderation is needed in everything
Hanny, [3/3/2025 11:05 AM]
Tuition is biz that is rampant in Indonesia. We cannot just pin it on Chinese.
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:08 AM]
Anything excessive is detrimental. Suggest admin rephrase the poll using more objective language
365, [3/3/2025 11:08 AM]
Not pinning any blame, just an observation. Knowing a bit of Chinese history, will know that Chinese tend to put a huge emphasis on education.
I do not know the situation in Indonesia, but is it possible that many of its students are indo-Chinese as well? Anyway this is off-topic, so I'll stop here.
365, [3/3/2025 11:10 AM]
I personally think admin should split the poll into 2 separate polls, I have 2 different opinions on whether it's detrimental and whether it should be regulated.
Adam, [3/3/2025 11:11 AM]
The problem is that we are framing that student health is worsened by tuition
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:11 AM]
Let me be the devil's advocate and say this: this is the advantage of having money. The rich (or as long as you are willing to spend) have excess to far more resources.
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:11 AM]
Agree
Adam, [3/3/2025 11:11 AM]
We should not make a topic hyperfocused on the tuition boogeyman
Adam, [3/3/2025 11:11 AM]
Reach should bring an article on students health. Tuition is one factor
365, [3/3/2025 11:12 AM]
This will be the case for any reasonable measures we can implement.
Only a very extreme (and probably undesirable) measure can we equalize every person's opportunities
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:13 AM]
Yes 💯
Hanny, [3/3/2025 11:14 AM]
We should moderate tuition center. This is similar to the way we moderate cigarettes and sugary drinks.
Hanny, [3/3/2025 11:15 AM]
As for the stress level of students, it is mostly self inflicted wounds by parents.
Pick a school that commensurate with your kids brain.
Adam, [3/3/2025 11:16 AM]
Moderating these things is because they are almost certainly bad.
Tuition is different, it shouldnt be discouraged, but the parents strong mentality on perfect grades makes the children suffer. Tuition helps if a child is weak
Adam, [3/3/2025 11:16 AM]
Maybe gov can step in, clamping down on excel type tuition and supporting bringing from f grade to b
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:17 AM]
Instead of worrying about people going for tuition, MOE should consistently improve quality of teaching and learning. Teachers are not being paid enough for the good work they do, not many Singaporeans would want to be teachers.
1. Long hours, have to handle misbehaving children and demanding parents.
2. I'm speculating, but I'm sure majority of teachers go into the field because they have limited job options available. You get teachers who don't have passion for teaching, how can students excel with teachers like these?
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:18 AM]
I personally have had crappy teachers before, so I went for tuition and did pretty well after that.
Adam, [3/3/2025 11:18 AM]
But still, i feel it is not tuition. Think about why parents care so much about making an A student better than the other A students. Will stopping tuition help?
Hanny, [3/3/2025 11:19 AM]
I have seen many highly qualified teachers. I don’t believe teaching is the last resort for these people.
I also see very qualified teachers in neighborhood schools.
My son is currently in university.
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:22 AM]
Oh definitely. I do believe that too, but MOE can definitely do more to attract such teachers like you mentioned.
Andy, [3/3/2025 11:26 AM]
And going back to the point of discussion, having a large number of such teachers will serve to improve grades, and reduce demand for tuition.
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 12:42 PM]
*Fall for psychological marketing bait or tuition out of necessity to assist in understanding weaker subjects*
1. It all depends on some parents' mental strength - ie. Are they of the "kiasu personality type" that will easily fall for psychological bait or are they the rationally sound type.
2. Those who want their children to be straight As students will not only be exerting unnecessary pressure on themselves and on their children - but will also fall for such marketing bait.
The children may not necessarily require such tuition because they could be already doing well.
3. But for those students who maybe weaker in one or 2 subjects, then tuition maybe necessary to help them to understand the subject better.
4. In my school days, my math is a bit weak, hence I require tuition.
Tuition help me to understand the subject better and do better in exams.
My son also told me that he requires tuition before his O level in math. The tuition helps, and he score well in o level.
5. But tuition must not be the pressure coming from the parents wanting their children to excel to score straight As for all subjects.
6. It must be a discussion with their children whether is it necessary to help the children to understand some subjects that they are weaker in.
The children must be the one to agree and willingly accept - not force down the throat by the parents.
7. Hence tuition will be helpful in such scenarios.
365, [3/3/2025 1:10 PM]
Asking children to be the one to decide is not ideal. How many of us need that help but don't like to study? I'm sure there's a good number of those students.
Why do parents want tuition? For good grades for their child.
Why want good grades? Perceived to be helpful for their child's future.
We need to break this dependency on grades, or at the very least extremely high score of grades.
Logically, grades should be used as a measure for whether you are suitable to pick up the next course to learn or to prove you are capable for a job, so could be widen the gap for the top grade?
How far in learning capabilities is there between one who scored 70 and one who scored 90? If we can hide the actual score with a large range, without compromising on assessment, it might be worth a shot.
Basically parents just see it's the highest grade is enough to assure them, since there's no score to compare. And with a larger range, it eases the student's burden to hyper perform well.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:21 PM]
Tuition is important because there's work life balance in Moe school. So there will be alternative when student couldn't reach her own teacher they can contact tuition teacher for help.
And often tuition teacher manages a smaller group of students so they can spend more effort and resources on each of the individuals of them
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 1:22 PM]
1. One of my worry is not whether my child score straight As in schools or not, but whether he develop an elitist mentality or not - because his nature is some sort of perfectionist (wanting to do well in everything he dabble his hands on).
2. The child's interest in learning is more important than forcing him to score straight As - because undue pressure on him will make him lose interest in learning.
3. For example, as my child feel inadequate in his math come o level, he discuss with me the needs for tuition.
4. I readily agree and put him up for tuition in one of the PA run tuition center.
Then quietly, he bought a very thick o level practice book using his own pocket money and he told me he practice every single question - and he indeed score A1 in his o level.
His interest inspire him to dive deep into math - not I force him to score A1.
5. In fact to prevent him from becoming elitist, I deliberately put him up in neighborhood schools - in primary and secondary schools.
6. Then I told him, just do your best in o level to go to JC (need not score straight As).
7. And he did well in his o level - many As, I didn't count them.
8. Then I register him in a neighborhood JC.
And I told him, as long as you can do well in your A level to go local university and enrol in a course you want, which JC you go no issue.
9. Then he do well enough As to go to a local University and enrol in the course he wants.
10. In University, he told me no guarantee he can score straight As because university very competitive and got bell curve pitch against top students from all JCs.
11. I told him, don't worry about the score, just ensure you graduate with a degree and get a good job.
12. Then he go on to secure a scholarship with a government agency to do research.
13. After graduation and work for the government agency for a few years, got promoted and secure another scholarship to do his master.
14. Ironically, his job requires very advanced maths because he is doing applied/basic research.
14. Everyday he is dabbling with Ivy League maths and technologies and work with many overseas scholars in ivy league.
15. So is scoring As so important? Not necessary.
16. Is tuition important, yes it does to help us in better understanding in weaker subjects.
But it must come from the children, not force upon by parents with the vanity of scoring straight As or to enrol in elite school.
17. The children interest in learning should be the key.
18. As parents, we have little stress.
19. As for my kid, exams not consider stressful for him, because he say he like the challenge of solving problems and answering exam questions.
So indeed, learning is meant to be fun, not scoring straight As or the vanity of entering elite schools - that come with unnecessary self-induced stress.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:23 PM]
And sometimes the teacher allocate to the student does not teach well (or teaching style not suitable for the child)and student don't know any other teacher and do not dare to ask other teacher within the school as they don't know the teacher
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:25 PM]
If the grades are truly well I don't see why parent will need to send their child to tuition
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 1:25 PM]
i can understand the need to regulate tuition industry.
as always market is out to make money.
the ethic of the market is never moral.
market is speculative and parents are mostly competitively "kiasu", an unhealthy attitude and mindset, and the businesses seek to exploit the unhealthy attitude and mindset of such parents to earn the parents money.
it creates an unhealthy social norms that is negative and detrimental for the parents and more importantly the children and society as a whole.
(an unhealthy perception that tuition is a must do expenses, child bearing and raising is costly because of it, an added financial and psychological stress which is unnecessary.)
............
we cannot always assumed businesses are morally ethically and will do what is best for the society, which is NOT.
......
government has the moral responsibility to identify potential social problem causes or created by unhealthy business behaviour and put a deterrent to regulate it.
......
365, [3/3/2025 1:27 PM]
It works for your child, but must also recognize not every child has the same mature mindset. I know I wasn't, I was just spending my time wastefully.
I needed help with chem, without the score, I wouldn't have been able to get into the poly course I had gotten into.
But if it was up to myself at that time, I wouldn't have picked up the additional tuition.
It's this importance of grades affecting your life downstream that causes parents to be worried about grades.
Your child has already demonstrated good grades to help him subsequently, him doing it out of his own will does not dispute the fact that grades to have an effect on his availability of choices.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:28 PM]
If the grades are always above 80 I don't see why parents bring their child to tuition. Waste money. But do tuition actually helps is another story
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:28 PM]
So the topic here is to ensure tuition actually helps and not to give misleading facts
365, [3/3/2025 1:29 PM]
Minimally misleading facts must be removed, such as the claim of having more distinction than average.
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 1:29 PM]
18. In fact my child told me he got handicap in coding during his 1st year in University because some top JC make their students do a lot of coding.
And some top polytechnic students who enrol in University also very proficient in coding.
19. Then I help him to overcome the fear in coding, ask him to choose a project he is interested in, and break his fear in coding during his holiday break after 1st year.
20. The moment he overcome the barrier, he is like fish swimming in water, as he can code in many programming languages and contribute to the GitHub.
21. He also help many of his fellow undergraduates from other faculties in coding.
22. On hindsight, I should have enrol him in tuition for coding after his o level and a level.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:30 PM]
So there is a need for Moe to standardise curriculum?
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:31 PM]
Cause unfair for elite school to have such advantage
365, [3/3/2025 1:31 PM]
You cannot stop people from learning more
365, [3/3/2025 1:31 PM]
Education should only have a minimum standard, not maximum
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:32 PM]
Yup
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:32 PM]
Agree
365, [3/3/2025 1:32 PM]
It is the intent behind that is currently harmful
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 1:32 PM]
Child and parents join discussion and join agreement is important.
Because I look at his results every year and discuss with my son.
Which subjects he like, which one don't like, which subjects he needs help and need tuition.
We mutually agree that he feels he needs tuition in maths.
So that's how we settle to tuition in maths.
I didn't press him, he ask for it.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:33 PM]
I mean the minimum standard must increase to the elite standard
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 1:33 PM]
the objectives is not to stop people for learning more.
the objective is to deter unhealthy business behaviour by regulating the industry.
(when it comes to money, businesses cannot be fully trusted to be morally ethical.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:34 PM]
Maybe abolished the psle point system and choose the school based on the style of teaching and students character and niche
Kai Bin, [3/3/2025 1:34 PM]
I suggest that MOE should do away with tuition as what some other countries do. I hope that MOE could be look into my suggestion carefully. Thank you.
365, [3/3/2025 1:36 PM]
Yes, it is fortunate for you to have a child who is self-aware and realizes the importance of education.
Many will just wave it off and say I'll try harder myself next time, and then do nothing about it.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:37 PM]
Or maybe Moe take over the tuition industry. Letting Moe teachers to teach and parents to choose for their child enrichment.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:37 PM]
Cause I understand teacher cannot teach tuition without approval right
365, [3/3/2025 1:38 PM]
How do you stop private tuition? And also the possibility of foreign-provisioned tuition through online communications.
365, [3/3/2025 1:39 PM]
Personally I believe trying to regulate tuition is just treating the symptom and not the root cause, thus I don't really want much regulation outside of not allowing them to advertise false or unsubstantiated "facts"
365, [3/3/2025 1:41 PM]
If you over regulate, people will find alternatives.
There's so many alternative communication channels to get tuition, it's never ending.
You have to treat the root cause on why is there such a high demand and obsession with excessive tuitioning.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:42 PM]
Giving additional choice. Would you choose Moe teachers over private tutor?
365, [3/3/2025 1:43 PM]
I would choose whichever is more convenient and so take cost into account.
I'm however not a parent so I cannot exactly understand a parent's mindset
365, [3/3/2025 1:43 PM]
I'm guessing most parents are willing to overlook cost
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 1:43 PM]
the roots of the probelm is the parents themselves, ourselves. what the government can do is to regulate the industry, to deter unhealthy business behaviour.
IT IS UP TO THE PARENTS TO SELF AWARE ENOUGH TO STOP SUCH UNHEALTHY ATTITUDE AND MINDSET ON TUITIONS.
It may be a bit too much for government to ban tuition or take up the responsibility and let the teachers doing the tutoring.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:45 PM]
Current Moe teacher who knows the curriculum will better guide the students. And this gave parents a choice to choose their teacher and give teacher a way to earn extra income
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:45 PM]
It's a win win situation
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 1:46 PM]
the teachers has more than enough workload.
and would it be conflict of interest?
365, [3/3/2025 1:46 PM]
I 2nd this concern
365, [3/3/2025 1:46 PM]
Not only is it important to ensure no conflict of interest, it is also important to keep up the appearance of having no conflict of interest
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:50 PM]
Or maybe the most simple one Moe audit the statistics of current tuition centres and give approval
but again this may cause parents to be in more favour of tuition.
I think the only way is to strengthen the quality of teachers and school. Give a good KPI for them to achieve. Minimise the gap between neighbourhood school and elite school. Give bonus to teachers to the number of As in class
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:51 PM]
And hire more teachers
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:51 PM]
So can have smaller class
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:52 PM]
If our schools is extremely good there's no need for tuition
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:53 PM]
And change our grading system
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:54 PM]
Class participation can be part of the grading
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:54 PM]
Just like how poly grades students
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:54 PM]
You seldom heard of polytechnic tuition
365, [3/3/2025 1:55 PM]
It is not fair to grade teachers on the number of As. We have to recognize that in reality each student's capabilities are different.
I agree and believe class participation and other measures of achievement in the class is a good way to move away from the heavy importance of grading.
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 1:55 PM]
the government has more than enough, and more importantly issue to focu on...the least they can do is to dirty themselves by taking up the responsibility to get more teachers to do the tuition. it is not logical nor efficient.
what government can do is to monitor and regulate the industry before unhealthy business and social behaviour gets out of hand.
it is up to the parents to realise the problem and stop been obsess about overloading themselves and their children on tuition.
remember.
academic success is only a show of IQ.
to be successful in life, EQ matters, beside IQ.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:57 PM]
I think training on student capability on self study is very important too
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 1:59 PM]
Maybe it's not fair in terms of A's but maybe school should look at overall performance across levels on the subject and do analysis for the teachers.
RY, [3/3/2025 1:59 PM]
Parents nowsaday are too concern their kids are losing at starting point, and many are still very academic-focus
However every kid is unique and different, and their talents maybe non-academic eg sports/music/arts and etc
Maybe SG may also learn from China, to stop kids from attending any tuition class during school holidays, as it is a time for them to enjoy/relax/de-stress
And learning maybe through other venues eg playing/teamwork/travelling/outdoor actitivity and etc
As every kids should enjoy their childhood and not drown with academic homework
Nowsaday, bec kids are too stressed, hence "strawberry generation" ..... more suicide cases in recent decades ....
Parents should change their mindset also, and learn that academics is not the main factor to determine the kids career path ultimately
Most importantly is to nurture the kids morally, and and also towards their interests
The kids mental and physical health are most essential in their growing up, and they are happy also
Khai Mun L., [3/3/2025 1:59 PM]
How do you 'regulate' tutition industry anyway?
Do a quota system for fixed number of tutition centres? How to stop private/foreign tutors?
Do certification for tutition centres? Then we need to update the cert criteria frequently. Some might compain too strict, too lax etc.
Gov take over? Have to ensure quality of the tutors. Then what's difference between regular teachers?
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 2:02 PM]
I think to understand the problem you should understand why parents send their kids to tuition. Then you can solve the problem
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 2:04 PM]
From a kid perspective:
1.) I don't understand what the teacher is talking about
2.) I keep failing my exams
3.) I want to let my parents happy
4.) I need to score high marks to get into the course
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 2:06 PM]
Ban tuition in China, cause tuition to go underground.
Also it trigger unemployment in the education sector
It backfire.
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 2:07 PM]
📢 Topic 📢
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 2:07 PM]
This is the only reason for kids to request tuition
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 2:08 PM]
it is the "kiasu" attitude and the negative mindset and perception that life is a sprinting competition.
Life is a marathon. a head start in life doesn't mean a winning place in the marathon of life.
(in china, some children died of over exhaustion. Some children committed suicide because they facing too much stress from their parents, too much tuitions, too high of an expectation for them to perform in school.)
How many of you doing first in PSLE and becoming mediocre in life?
How many of you doing average in PSLE and yet now earning medium to high income in life?
LIFE is a marathon. Not a 100m Sprint.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 2:09 PM]
Just passing national exams don't guarantee on tertiary education
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 2:09 PM]
China's ban on tuition, also known as the "double reduction" policy, has led to a significant problem of a thriving underground tutoring market where parents are forced to pay significantly higher prices for private lessons, often with lower quality, due to the lack of regulation and fear of detection by authorities; this has exacerbated existing anxieties about education and access to quality learning, particularly impacting families with limited means.
Key issues arising from the tuition ban:
Increased costs:
Private tutoring sessions in the underground market are often much more expensive than before the ban, putting further financial pressure on families.
Quality concerns:
With less oversight, the quality of underground tutoring can be inconsistent and unreliable.
Unequal access:
Wealthier families may still find ways to access high-quality tutoring through hidden networks, further widening the educational gap.
Job losses:
The ban has led to massive job losses in the private tutoring industry, impacting many educators.
Parental anxiety:
The pressure to find alternative ways to ensure their children's academic success can lead to increased stress and anxiety among parents.
Potential for exploitation:
Underground tutors may exploit the situation by charging exorbitant fees or engaging in unethical practices.
To reduce academic stress, China banned private tuition.
Has ... - CNA
6 May 2023 — Group classes have all but ceased, while the cost of one-to-one tutoring has increased. In first-tier cities like Beijing and Shanghai, some one-to-on...
Source:- Google
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 2:10 PM]
China’s underground tuition industry raises concerns of high costs, quality among parents | The Straits Times
https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/china-s-underground-tuition-industry-raises-concerns-of-high-costs-quality-among-parents
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 2:11 PM]
Banning tuition in China - backfire and make it worst.
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 2:11 PM]
it is China's style. they cannot solve it so they ban it.
then again if it solve the problem. why not?
is it practical for Singapore to follow suit?
Adam, [3/3/2025 2:12 PM]
This kiasu mindset is rooted in the reality of singapore education. Parents know how important having good peers are in school and will fight to be in 'good schools'
Having a boost while young will accumulate in future and same for setbacks.
There are exceptions but if you want to tell a private uni grad they have as good a shot as a public uni grad in this marathon, we will need to change more than just how singaporeans views childhood education
TreasureHunter, [3/3/2025 2:13 PM]
Tutoring exists due to societal culture, which is shaped by government policies. As long as there are barriers to higher education and distinctions between top-tier and lesser institutions, people will strive to outdo each other.
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 2:14 PM]
it is not an excuse.
we are human.
we can learn to overcome negative behaviour.
so long when people understand that LIFE is a MARATHON. NOT a sprinting competition.
RY, [3/3/2025 2:16 PM]
Parents mindset has to change also
Tuition does not mean the kids will be better academic
No matter what govt do to change/ban, there is still parents who choose go alternatives eg "underground or private home tuition"
Adam, [3/3/2025 2:17 PM]
Life is a marathon.
Then if we have 100 people running, every refreshment station in got ten bottles of 100plus and plain water for the rest. Now this is just an analogy but people will rush to get the special drink instead of water if it give them a greater boost and is limited.
RY, [3/3/2025 2:21 PM]
During our era, our parents have many kids and cannot afford tuition during our childhood
As I never attended any tuition before during my childhood
But does it mean we are unsuccessful and cant make a living as we are now matured adults ?
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 2:28 PM]
https://remembersingapore.org/2012/04/09/the-emporium-legend-lim-tow-yong/
The Emporium Legend Lim Tow Yong (1925-2012) (https://remembersingapore.org/2012/04/09/the-emporium-legend-lim-tow-yong/)
Others would have given up but not Lim Tow Yong. With pure determination, he planned his comeback in the nineties with another departmental chain in Sabah, and later Brunei and Labuan. In 1999, Lim Tow Yong was finally discharged from bankruptcy. He sold his business in mid-2000s and became a millionaire once again at 79.
......
an example of marathon of life.
he went bankrupt.
and term his life around.
does he has a good education?
no.
it is the fight in a person, the resilience and determine to think of a way out in life.
a person who didn't go through university education can do it.
and our children who are much better off than him cannot?
life is a blank paper. it is up to the children, us, to make use of what we have and pave through a path of success.
education system in Singapore is providing our children that head start and more importantly....
the abilities and capabilities to think independently and critically, so that they can decide what they really want im life and start running for it in the marathon.
.........
there is a hokkien saying.
tat che tat sai
(focus too much on grades until their brain is filled with human wastes... cannot think and apply what they learn into their life)
RY, [3/3/2025 2:30 PM]
Not only Singaporeans have "kiasu" mindset
Many developed and affluent countries, the parents also has "kiasu" mindset
Bec nowsaday, the fertility rate is low and lesser child per family
China is more worst due to their one-child policy
Hence china now is encountering ageing and societal problems
Similarly as SG, as our "2 is enough" govt policy is too successful and rooted into SG mindset
The more developed is the country, the lower the fertility rate
Hence many developed countries are facing ageing problems eg europe/japan/SG and etc
RY, [3/3/2025 2:32 PM]
Bec lesser kids, hence the parents are focusing their resources on their 1-2 children
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 2:34 PM]
thus micro focus until they lose sight of overall pictures, macro view of life.
RY, [3/3/2025 2:36 PM]
One of my relatives, her daughter only toddler 3-4 year old
And her child nursery, the parents are paying more than $1000 per month .... I cant believe .....
Nursery is not even the basic education in SG context
As SG education starts fm kindergarten, ya
RY, [3/3/2025 2:45 PM]
I think Govt shd also regulate the pre-school education sametime
Infant childcare I may understand why their fees are high, as much focus/care on babies
But pre-school at childchare, some private nursery, their fees are as high as 1000+, shouldnt the govt also look into their exorbitant fee ?
Daniel, [3/3/2025 2:56 PM]
That one can always go Sparkletots or one of the other operators. Those charge 700 or less a month and then still got subsidies.
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 2:57 PM]
can get back to the main topic?
regulations of tuition industry.
for it or against it?
Daniel, [3/3/2025 2:59 PM]
I think some sort of regulation on advertising at the very least would be a good start. I feel a lot of the ads are still made to scare parents and imply that without tuition the kids cannot make it.
RY, [3/3/2025 2:59 PM]
When milk powder cost is increasing, the govt came in and control the prices of the vendors
As MSF is hoping the fertility rate may increase n lower the cost of bringing up children
But for private pre-school operators exorbitant fees, hope govt may look into it also
365, [3/3/2025 3:00 PM]
You cannot cite a single example and use it to convince everyone. These specific examples are generally the exception and not the rule.
It's no news that uni grads usually have higher pay than poly and ite grads. Data shared by the government.
There has to be many many cases for it to form a certain pattern then we can say it matters less
RY, [3/3/2025 3:07 PM]
Govt shd regulate tuition Ctr advertising and claimt - how many distinction kids they produce after tuition
As Advertising claimt shd be based on factual data, otherwise their Ad is against the Ad law since not factual
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 3:07 PM]
Dear Contributors,
Please take a moment to participate in our polls and share your opinion. The poll questions are pinned for easy reference, and your vote is anonymous.
We look forward to hearing your thoughts on today’s topic!
Thank you.
Megan 😊
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 3:09 PM]
there are many example in lives...he is only one of the many.
the point is people too narrowly focus that they lost sight of the macro view of life.
......
a person can has as much tuition and the best tuition money can provide...it doesn't mean the child will be successful in life, rich and wealthy in life.
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:11 PM]
Well not tuition but i know some who got crazy because of education pressure. It is not the tuition causing it. They probably shouldnt have tried to enter the rat race so hard.
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:11 PM]
Parent supportive in their endevour but they cannot cope
365, [3/3/2025 3:11 PM]
But the reality is that the data given to us shows the average salary for degrees to be higher than that of diploma, which is higher than that of nitec.
You cannot pick a few exception to the majority of the populace to build a case.
There's no way to convince people using a few examples while the majority statistics paint a different picture.
RY, [3/3/2025 3:12 PM]
Students should have a balance life between study and play during their childhood
Just like, working adults must learn to balance work and family
Excessive tuition may not be gd for the kids
Hence many kids may have mental issues nowsaday, as too stressed in study/life
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:13 PM]
My work life balance is when they call me at 10pm from india 🤣
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:16 PM]
We are competing internationally. Maybe we need to make our A levels and O levels at the same standard as overseas schools
RY, [3/3/2025 3:17 PM]
I read the latest topics is whether govt may also regulate employers....whether biz shd be contacting/msg staffs after ofc hours ?
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:17 PM]
I wonder if unis or employers differentiate between the rigour of the singapore education compared to overseas
365, [3/3/2025 3:17 PM]
O and A levels are already international standards set by Cambridge international education
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:22 PM]
https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/moe-change-level-score-2026-2116231
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:22 PM]
Oh gov already changing it a bit.
Andy, [3/3/2025 3:27 PM]
Don't think so..
Andy, [3/3/2025 3:28 PM]
But of course if I'm an employer looking for fresh grad hire, and I see this cv from a random unknown uni... probably reject.
Andy, [3/3/2025 3:29 PM]
I think in the end it's about the prestige of the educational institution.
Andy, [3/3/2025 3:30 PM]
Which is brought about indirectly by 'rigor' amongst many other things?
Adam, [3/3/2025 3:34 PM]
I cant speak for uni admissions, but we are stressing out competing among each other. Wonder if the results of studies is reflected in quality of workforce
G, [3/3/2025 3:46 PM]
Perhaps govt should lead the way?
@reachsg2 For govt jobs and govt linked company jobs, how much differentiation in terms of career ladder and compensation package are there between typical SG unis (NUS, NTU SMU) vs SG private unis vs overseas unis (non scholars)?
Khai Mun L., [3/3/2025 3:53 PM]
Going back to today's topic, for selection of tutors, do you look for credentials of the tutors or tutition centre? E.g teacher must have 1st class uni degree etc
Should tutition centres regularly submit updated credentials of the tutors? Can tutors job-hop between centres?
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 3:54 PM]
I think people look for Moe experience. Lol ex Moe teachers the most popular
365, [3/3/2025 3:58 PM]
We should be wary of how certain implementations can backfire, similar to how china's ban on tuition backfired.
If we mandate a minimum requirement on their credentials, this reduces the availability of tutors. It allows them to charge higher prices and now even getting a tuition spot is a competition.
It also doesn't make sense since most of them are already using their credentials to advertise their service.
If this is implemented, I forsee underground tuition providers in this case, or even looking for foreign tutors where the government is unable to regulate.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 3:59 PM]
If have long teaching experience= to parents favourite
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 4:03 PM]
📢 Topic 📢
J See, [3/3/2025 4:17 PM]
just two cents from me ... having had so much experience in unending projects in all my years of studying ... it will inadvertently be done by leader and others and so far my experience is group project is not always equally shared ... in my experience I must qualify (in all these years past!) whether first degree or 2nd degree or any local diplomas !!
J See, [3/3/2025 4:18 PM]
Even individual project — really ? who is (are) involved?
J See, [3/3/2025 4:22 PM]
I have interviewed countless in my past - yes grades matter but ... can the applicant really present, talk and etc .... so I am supporter of "3 mins show and tell" where the students get to talk and share knowledge about something ... not just able to answer maths questions on paper
365, [3/3/2025 4:23 PM]
Do you filter out candidates who achieved lower grades before giving an interview opportunity?
J See, [3/3/2025 4:25 PM]
Not an answer people like but ... if you focus on what subjects are key ... yes and no and its not all ... not all about grades - life doesn't treat everyone equally — the student could have a real real issues in life at that particular time ... so ... for example there are 12 subjects ... wish is to be perfect but i have seen and known and lived and know life isn't
J See, [3/3/2025 4:26 PM]
just say that if you are going to teach Mathematics and .. objectively the candidate needs to have a certain grade la ... to be honest. Not just Singapore .. I have worked in China and India .. if you talk about competitives ... we haven't seen the rest of the world
365, [3/3/2025 4:26 PM]
So this answers why there is a hyper-fixation on grades. How they talk and present themselves is secondary, they must at least be able to get an interview opportunity first.
Maybe your cut off is reasonable, but the same can't be said across the entire working industry.
365, [3/3/2025 4:27 PM]
Basically, while higher grades don't secure a job, they provide more chances
J See, [3/3/2025 4:27 PM]
yes .... and i have seen in my years ... even top grades but cannot talk ... how??
J See, [3/3/2025 4:28 PM]
hyper fixation is multi-faceted ...
365, [3/3/2025 4:28 PM]
They need to be able to do both, but since grades is the first filter, people will focus on that first. Maybe some companies just want grades, then there's their chance.
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:29 PM]
1. Personally I feel that government put some regulations to curb tuition misrepresentation advertising and guilt tripping should be ok.
2. Light touch for other aspects of tuition industry sector recommended.
3. Finally it is up to the parents - how "kiasu" they are.
Else no matter what government do, kiasu parents will still overdo things for their kids - despite restrictions put on tuition or enrichment learning.
May even drive them underground.
Adam, [3/3/2025 4:30 PM]
If the ads are misleading then can POFMA them
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 4:32 PM]
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/advanced-chips-ai-nvidia-shanmugam-us-malaysia-export-restrictions-4972321
365, [3/3/2025 4:32 PM]
Generally agree with this. But kiasu parents can be formed by societal norms, which can be slowly molded with government measures.
I believe no one is kiasu for no good reason, kaisu is scared of losing, and now what are they scared of losing? Perhaps it's their child's future access to opportunities.
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:33 PM]
Hahaha...
Whatever approaches that is effective.
AMK hub use to have a tuition centre that advertise A1 this A1 that with photos of student's showing their A1 results.
Just now when I walk past, I couldn't see the pictures.
Probably the tuition centre could have hide all such advertising gimmicks.
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:34 PM]
Such kiasu or fear to lose mentality fortunately don't seep into my family fortunately.
We are cool, calm and see things more holistically rather than joining the rat race.
And ironically, all turn out well minus the mental pressure.
Adam, [3/3/2025 4:35 PM]
Well, looking at things now, parents must feel super worried. Children hard to get house. Job maybe replaced with ai. Climate getting worse.
No wonder parents hesitate bringing a new life into the world.
And if they do, they must be sure their spawn wont die
365, [3/3/2025 4:36 PM]
I'm glad it works out for you and your family, but these are factors that affect majority of the population and I believe we should not dismiss them.
Adam, [3/3/2025 4:37 PM]
My mom with sec school education is paid more than me when i was fresh grad as she can advance in her work.
Parents are super worried as they know children will have worse opportunities
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:39 PM]
So Singapore didn't breach the US export restrictions on the Nividia chips to DeepSeek.
RY, [3/3/2025 4:42 PM]
With AI now, job opportunities even lesser than our era in near future
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:44 PM]
Hence Singaporeans workforce need to cultivate themselves to be either of the following 3:-
1. AI users
2. AI developers
3. AI creators
To complement their jobs.
RY, [3/3/2025 4:46 PM]
Our era, our parents do not have kiasu mentality, why now parents have kiasu mental ?
And we dont even go for tuition, as money not enough to feed the family, not to mention tuition
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:47 PM]
I take tuition in maths.
Else I won't be able to do well in maths.
Adam, [3/3/2025 4:47 PM]
4. AI owner that coast off the income
ChewyRuza, [3/3/2025 4:47 PM]
I suppose the hierarchy of needs come to play.. if you’re poor, then the focus is really on getting money and survival. Studies and beyond is above survived
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:47 PM]
Hahaha...
Adam, [3/3/2025 4:47 PM]
Instead of gst voucher gonna have investment return voucher
365, [3/3/2025 4:48 PM]
In the past you can easily get by with a lower education, companies will hire you. Because there isn't a pool of uni grads for them to choose from, competition for labour was stiff, it's an employee's market.
Now it's an employer's market, companies are spoilt for candidates to choose from.
RY, [3/3/2025 4:48 PM]
I am pro to the idea that Govt shd regulate the tuition ctr n set up a framework
As many misleading Ad fm tuition centres nowsaday
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:53 PM]
MHA considering various proposals for compensating scam victims.
Member of Parliament Gerald Giam suggested establishing a scam victim restitution fund financed by the confiscated proceeds from recent money laundering cases. https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/scam-victim-compensation-police-anti-scam-centre-restitution-fund-4966671
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:53 PM]
REACH
*Victim restitution fund financed by the confiscated proceeds from money laundering cases*
02 Mar 2025
Part 1/2 - Pitfalls to consider
1.Victims lose life savings very pitiful.
2.But confiscated proceeds not enough to compensate all victims even though assets surrendered to the state as part of the S$3 billion (US$2.2 billion) money laundering case are progressively being liquidated and returned to government coffers. (Source:- CNA news 28 Feb 2025 12:42PM)
Because in 2024 alone, at least S$1.1 billion (US$822 million) was lost to scams (not taking into accounts other years)
3. CNA news article also say people may try to abuse the proceeds by collaborating with scammers to cheat the Government for compensation by declaring scam loss.
4. And also people may get complacent and fall for more scams.
Not a good move if scam victims are responsible.
Individuals let down their guards, more scams - as at the back of their mind, if they got scam, Government will refund us from consficated proceeds.(My close friend input)
5. In addition, not all the confiscated proceeds are from online scam including illegal moneylending and other form of crimes whereby other victims who may also similarly feel that they have a claim to those proceeds.
6.. This round of money laundering got money to compensate. What happen if all the confiscated proceeds used up, how to compensate for future scams? (My close friend input)
That is why I feel that it will be very tricky to compensate the scams victims without causing all the above problems.
Hence I will like to suggest looking into another approach in employing consficated proceeds from money laudering in Part 2 to mitigate the considerations highlighted above.
----
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:54 PM]
REACH
*Victim restitution fund financed by the confiscated proceeds from money laundering cases*
2 Mar 2025
Part 2/2 - Setting up Anti-Scam Trust Fund from confiscated proceeds.
1. The idea is to treat all the confiscated proceeds cash plus liquidated assets of S$3 billion (US$2.2 billion) as Capital to be put into a newly erected Anti-Scam Trust Fund to fight scam - without drawing down the Capital to directly compensate victims of scams.
2. Instead the Capital of S$3 billion should be invested to earn income, interest, dividends or other means through Fund Management - and then use the income earned to fund the following :-
a. Government spent the money (income from Capital, not drawing down the Capital) to up measures to fight scams. Never ending war. (my close friend input)
Eg. Financing the setting up of Anti-Scam Unit.
R&D to tighten online authentication (that are scam-proof) eg. anti-malware, multi-FA authentication, biometric authentication etc.
b. Categorise victims according to:-
i. Identify scam victims directly lost from this money launderers and compensate them through the income earned (not capital). (Karma must be directly attributed to the cause-and-effect).
ii. Identify victims lost from other forms of crimes
Apportion of compensation should be based on some objective criteria - to ensure it is fair to all victims.
(The justification is, victims losing their life savings are very pitiful, but they must bear some responsibilities for their gullibility or greed or anxiety or other factors such as self-insecurity.
Hence full compensation may not be possible, but at least they get back something to live on and not totally lost hope).
3. By setting up a Trust Fund to earn income and finance the above activities, will ensure that :-
a. Confiscated proceeds will not be used up in one go as compensation.
b. Confiscated proceeds can be converted to earn income by setting up a Trust Fund -- and use income to finance the above anti-scam fight - a never ending war.
If we use the entire confiscated proceeds to compensate - then we will never be able to finance the fight for a never-ending war - and will need to draw on taxpayer money to do so.
c. Also assume a return of 4% yearly from invested fund of S$3 billion, it means $S120 million will be made available every year to fight the scam and give some compensation to victims - quite a sizable sum.
Hence we can exploit the confiscated proceeds creatively - by setting up a Trust Fund to fight scam - and convert a threat (Money Laundering) into a continuous firepower (Finances).
====
RY, [3/3/2025 4:54 PM]
Beside tuition ctr, hope govt may also regulate the private nursery ctr
It is not even tertiary education, but parents have to spend 1000+/mth just on pre-school ?
How to bring up children at such expensive education costs
I know sap schools eg RI, their tuition fees are $1000+ for secondary/pre-U
But nursery also operate like Sec Sap Schools ?
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 4:56 PM]
This is the reason why I don't put up my son to be in RI.
Because I and my siblings either in RI or RGS.
And can see elitism seeping in.
We put all our children in neighbourhood schools and JCs.
RY, [3/3/2025 4:58 PM]
Great, support neighbourhood schools 👍
365, [3/3/2025 4:58 PM]
While I agree with you points to this, I don't think this is in line with today's topic put out by admin? Or did I miss it?
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:01 PM]
Eventually all my siblings children mostly ended up in local universities.
Some are scholars.
So elite schools are not the only routes.
So don't understand why the obsession in scoring straight As and elite schools.
Parents give themselves and their children unnecessary mental pressure.
RY, [3/3/2025 5:01 PM]
Maybe Govt shd also educate parents more, and hope they are less academic-conscious, or kiasu mindset
365, [3/3/2025 5:05 PM]
It's not just elite schools, even competition for local uni is stiff, and you would need grades to back up your application to local uni.
From what you have shared, I would assume your children have a backup to fall back on should things not work out for them.
For many families, education is a turning point and chance for their social mobility.
This is especially those with a lower income level and is hoping to leverage on good grades to bring the family up.
RY, [3/3/2025 5:05 PM]
Maybe MSF may orgn more parenting seminar/sharing sessions
Just like b4 ROM, the couple have to attend the "counselling" session 1st as part of the requirement
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:08 PM]
Hmm...
One of my sibling child in JC, A level grade not good enough to enter local universities.
So he go to Polytechnic.
Get good grades, and then succeeded in enrolment to a local University.
Graduating end of this year.
So I believe there are many routes.
365, [3/3/2025 5:09 PM]
Visible changes on ground has to be observed, if not any sessions will be dismissed as nonsense. Example if people are still experiencing being turned down for interviews or having to compromise for a lower salary due to having poor grades, then how to justify to parents not to emphasize so much on grades?
RY, [3/3/2025 5:09 PM]
Mindset take time to form/mould
And parenting is lifetime role and lesson to learn as we grow older
If parents do not have kiasu mindset, then the demand of tuition ctr will not be great - marketing principle (demand vs supply)
RY, [3/3/2025 5:11 PM]
I am not in HR, I wont know why the interview fail/rejected
However when we are unsuccessful in any job interview, it may not nec bec of grades as the main factor
RY, [3/3/2025 5:13 PM]
Basic Education is required for any country, as literacy play a impt any country growth/economy
365, [3/3/2025 5:13 PM]
But he did get good enough grades in poly to push forward to local uni right?
Take myself for example, I had bad grades in sec because I was lazy, so my choices in poly were limited.
I didn't study well in poly again and got poor grades so my choices for uni is limited, I had to attend private.
I did study hard during uni, get good grades, and managed to land a decent job.
Yes I still got there, but we can see how my access is different everytime. And despite having good grades in my uni, my salary offer is still lower than that of local uni.
You see how there's this chain reaction from just grades. Yes there's many paths, but is it comparatively tougher afterwards?
Think of this like a game, each mission rewards you a weapon commensurate to how well you've done.
Having the best weapon doesn't mean you always win, but it sure makes it a lot easier.
365, [3/3/2025 5:14 PM]
As long as the ground still observe this kind of pattern for the majority of the population, it is no surprise that grades are what is being focused on, and thus the obsession with tuition to get the best grades.
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:16 PM]
To be honest, previously my staff is a mix of various grades and institutions.
In my earlier career, all my staff are polytechnic graduates.
Because my role quite junior, as senior engineer hence can only handle technicians.
As I promoted to middle role:-
I got different type of graduates:-
1. Scholar graduate
2. Local universities graduates.
3. Private universities graduates.
My appraisal on them is based on performance.
I don't look at their universities grades.
Now a few of them take up quite senior positions in the government and government link organizations.
365, [3/3/2025 5:16 PM]
Parents get kiasu mindset because they see how their kids may eventually lose out.
Similar to price of goods, there is an inflation of high education labour
365, [3/3/2025 5:17 PM]
I don't doubt it, and I applaud the effort to assess based on performance as it's also something I believe in. But those who have poor grades won't even have a foot in the door to try.
RY, [3/3/2025 5:18 PM]
I see many illiterate elderly suffering nowsaday, as SG is advancing very fast
SG is the top 3 in term of AI rating
My parent is a gd example, as many are using singpass to do any appln nowsaday via govt, and children have to help them
J See, [3/3/2025 5:19 PM]
So true
RY, [3/3/2025 5:21 PM]
Education is important and govt shd invest heavily on people
But grades maybe secondary
As the moral education of the kids is more essential and not grades
Joomua Tng, [3/3/2025 5:22 PM]
the other main message to the tuition industry, is that they should advertise responsibility, refrain from false or exaggerated or underhand advertising.
the desire to attract business is alright...just do it ethically, or responsibly....
that is why government want to regulate the tuition industry.
.......
cannot have the society believing that businesses can anyhow advertise or recruiting businesses without a sense of social responsibility.
(behaving like george soros is not good for the society.)
365, [3/3/2025 5:23 PM]
We all want to believe grades is secondary in an ideal world. But reality always hits us back when we are asked for our credentials.
Until grades hold a lower importance for real life implications, this obsession with it won't change.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 5:27 PM]
Scammer who got caught shall work to return the funds in prison until they return the full amount. This can give deterrent to scammers in Singapore.
RY, [3/3/2025 5:28 PM]
My friend sibling, his bro n wife, both earning 5figures/mth and staying in condo with 2 kids and own car n etc
But they told my friend that they are poor, and cant afford to pay for own father subsidised knee surgery in govt hospital, and push the burden to my friend
What kind of son - high education with gd income, but doesnt want to take care/pay for own parent medical ....
Their father (carpentar) work hard to provide education for his 2 kids
Luckily he still have my friend (1 son) willing to take care/pay for father medical expenses
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:29 PM]
Scammers return $3 billion confiscated by the government.
Now is how best to use this fund.
Parliament currently debating this.
But REACH didn't put this as topic for discussion.
Some MP propose use all to compensate.
I try to stop it.
By setting up Trust fund and use confiscated proceeds to invest and then use it to fight scam.
It is more effective use of confiscated funds rather than wasting it away by full compensation and then use taxpayers money to fight scam.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 5:30 PM]
Agree if can invest the money like noble price to compensate.
Jun Ming, [3/3/2025 5:31 PM]
Maybe compensate a certain portion
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:32 PM]
Yes compensate a portion to ensure victims that cannot survive as their life savings cheated - got some money to tie over.
RY, [3/3/2025 5:34 PM]
Hence education is not just about grades only
It is also about moral education of the children
If young parents also dont take care of own ageing parents, children may also emulate when they grow up
365, [3/3/2025 5:35 PM]
I don't think anyone disagrees on the need for moral education, but it is a fact that we have had many doors shut us out because we didn't score.
Garion Chan, [3/3/2025 5:38 PM]
For me, my Teacher and and 2 of them became Principal and a superintendent (I think) always say if you needed tuitions that means my Teachers have failed badly in teaching. Of course that being said may be only my Teachers. But then again needing Tuitions really something to ponder on especially the changes in format and system in our education system. Like formulae to model. Regards
Derek Teo, [3/3/2025 5:38 PM]
This is natural result of our history. Our forefathers worked hard just to make sure everyone in the family have things to eat.
The then-children, who grew up from that circumstances understood the correlations between a good education, good job, decent salary and quality of life. And this got slowly ingrained to the next few generations.
Today, we recognised this but the systems have yet to catch up. I agree with @eyt96 that many doors are shut because of academic results. At least in my time, I understand that my friend who possess a good honours from uni sim was not admitted into MOE. However, another friend with mediocre results from NTU got accepted immediately.
Derek Teo, [3/3/2025 5:41 PM]
Academic results are not a good indicator of the person’s ability to work. Today, I got staff who are degree holders from the main university. But they don’t have common sense, and their performance at work doesn’t correlate to their academic results. Some of them are just book smart, and studying is a controlled environment
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:41 PM]
Some of my previous staff are from private universities graduates - specifically uni sim.
And they work on projects in various Ministries, statutory boards or organ of states.
Derek Teo, [3/3/2025 5:45 PM]
I have experienced that. I don’t have the data and I could be wrong. I think it’s usually their second job and beyond. They used their academic qualifications coupled with their skill sets and experiences from the previous job(s) for assessment
365, [3/3/2025 5:45 PM]
I concur with this observation, but let's check back with ourselves, who had a comparatively easier time to convince the employer to hire them, who has to go the extra mile to prove their worth
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:45 PM]
Hmm...
I think is their 1st job if I can remember.
365, [3/3/2025 5:47 PM]
I think the crux of this issue is before they join the company, that's where they will be filtered by their grades because that's all companies can assess them on.
When they start working, of course companies will re-assess again.
Many people are stuck at step 1.
Derek Teo, [3/3/2025 5:48 PM]
Not their fault but it’s the most direct and obvious mechanisms for assessment.
In my time, I have friends who took MCs for exams because they are not confident to get a good grade for that module, and push back to the next Sem.
If I’m the employer, I see this as indicator of the person’s character and principles.
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 5:49 PM]
One has even assume a senior post in a government link organization.
365, [3/3/2025 5:50 PM]
I've been thinking about this, how can the government really help, and I still believe it's molding and reshaping our cultural and societal norms.
To start off, government agencies themselves should put less emphasis on grade requirement and more emphasis on skill based requirement.
What skills do they state to have in their cv and what have they done to demonstrate those skills.
After that, the mode of the interview should be simulating what is expected in the job, and how the candidates approach it.
If there's enough of such push, perhaps more organizations can adopt similar methods and eventually change the whole perception on the importance of grades.
Derek Teo, [3/3/2025 5:52 PM]
Yeah totally agreed. Academic results = quantitative assessment
U need a qualitative assessment - some form of application/scenario questions to sieve out the candidate’s qualities
365, [3/3/2025 5:53 PM]
I believe this is also why there is less demand for tuition on poly and uni.
While they still exist, it's very niche, because it's hard to teach how to approach problems without a given template like written examinations.
Derek Teo, [3/3/2025 5:55 PM]
After going through my deg programme, I felt that nothing useful that I’ve learned was applicable in my work. To set context, I did a mech eng degree
365, [3/3/2025 5:58 PM]
I did a comp sci degree. Understanding the logic of how code works has helped me in my daily job, even though I'm not a developer.
However, I disagree with how the exam is being held. Not only do you have to memorize syntax (when in industry, googling is expected), you are handwriting code. Isn't that ridiculous?
Someone who could be a very good developer may perform poorly in this absurd form of exam, but is rejected from even 1st round interviews because he didn't score well in it.
Khai Mun L., [3/3/2025 5:59 PM]
Tuitions would always exists. Maybe the current teacher does not have the right style for the student to accept. Student cannot pick their own teachers in school hence look for another outside.
Furthermore, MOE now moving to 'standardized teaching methods', some students might not be suitable or learn at different speeds.
Higher education e.g. uni or jc, students have more willingness/capability to find teachers after school or online search on their own. So tutition is less common then
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 6:06 PM]
📢 Topic 📢
LCL (Danny 心), [3/3/2025 6:39 PM]
Basically, whether the graduates come from:-
1. Scholar graduate
2. Local universities graduates
3. Private universities graduates
There are life examples of such graduates climbing relatively high in the public sectors or government linked organizations.
I met my ex scholar staff who give me a quick rundown of my ex staff various positions.
I give a thumbs up to him and all my previous staff - very comforting that they are doing so well.
It is all based on their performance, not grades in their universities.
Hope this will reassure many people.
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 6:41 PM]
➡️ Officers, leaders involved in NRIC unmasking saga may face financial consequences
More: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/mddi-acra-nric-numbers-unmasking-financial-consequences-performance-review-staff-4972576
365, [3/3/2025 6:45 PM]
This is a good lesson for our government, when releasing an announcement, make sure all possible doubts in intent is clarified even before being asked.
This is a huge communication issue on their end. To the citizens, the financial consequences suffered by the leaders is secondary.
We still haven't fully transition over to an era whereby nric doesn't have to be secret, so those whose nric are exposed will be bearing the temporary consequences until we have a fully functional system that don't rely on nric for authentication.
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 6:45 PM]
Dear Contributors,
⏰ We will be closing the chat in 15 minutes ⏰
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan 😊
REACH Singapore, [3/3/2025 7:01 PM]
Dear Contributors
We will be closing the chat for today.
Thank you very much for being part of our Telegram chat and participating actively.
Goodnight!
Megan 😊
====
