Focus on a love for learning, not academic results: MOE

[alng]

http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sin ... 37848.html

Efforts will be made in schools to make learning more enjoyable, downplay examinations, emphasise outdoor education, and give students more diverse programmes that will appeal to their interests, say the two new Acting Education Ministers, Mr Ng Chee Meng and Mr Ong Ye Kung.


SINGAPORE: Reducing an excessive emphasis on grades will help bring out the best in every child, with a well-rounded education emphasising values and non-academic interests setting the stage for a lifelong love of learning, said Acting Education Ministers Ng Chee Meng (Schools) and Mr Ong Ye Kung (Higher Education and Skills).

To this end, efforts will be made in schools to make learning more enjoyable, downplay examinations, emphasise outdoor education, and give students more diverse programmes that will appeal to their interests, they said.

The aim of education is to raise "upright, confident, knowledgeable and skilful young adults, equipped with a strong, lifelong curiosity and passion for learning," said the two on Tuesday (Jan 19), in the Ministry of Education's addenda to President Tony Tan Keng Yam's opening address to Parliament last Friday. "We will guide, inspire and support every child to nurture a love for learning and pursue a meaningful and purposeful life through a student-centric, values-driven education."

In the pre-school sector, efforts will be made to continue to develop and refine a quality kindergarten curriculum, with age-appropriate teaching and learning resources, said the Ministers.

Primary schools will help students discover their strengths and interests in areas such as arts, music and sports. A stronger emphasis will be placed on outdoor education, "to build up ruggedness and resilience in our students", according to the MOE.

A "diverse landscape" of secondary schools will be created, with distinctive programmes in various domains and applied learning opportunities. This will provide more options for students to develop their interests in their chosen field, said the ministers.

And the Junior College (JC) curriculum will be strengthened to include "21st Century Competencies", to better prepare JC graduates for further learning, "and to develop individuals with sound character, resilience and humility to serve and lead the community", they added.

School-based levelling-up programmes will be strengthened to support academically weaker students, and provide financial support for students from financially challenged families to cope with the costs of education. Student Care Centres will also be expanded to provide an after-school environment conducive to learning for more students from a less advantaged background, said the MOE.

Efforts will also be stepped up to support children with special educational needs through school-based programmes, special education schools, and programmes in collaboration with employers to smoothen transition from school to work.

The ministers said that to improve teacher training and ongoing professional development, pedagogical skills will be enriched to encourage content mastery, "so that they can better impart 21st Century Competencies and sound values like respect, responsibility, integrity, care, resilience, and harmony, which remain core to our desired outcomes of education", said the ministers.

Said Acting Minister Ng, who oversees the Schools portfolio in MOE: “Education is the best gift we can give our next generation. At every stage of their education journey, we will create an environment conducive for holistic development, by providing them the time, space and opportunity to discover and nurture their talents, strengthen their character, and develop their lifelong love for learning. We will do this together with parents and the community.”

[alng]

With PSLE remains as the placement exam for secondary schools, will MOE achieve its new objectives?

When more PE lessons and NANO lessons are introduced in primary schools at the expense of the curriculum time for the examinable subjects, teachers have to "steal" time from other non-examinable subjects such as Arts and Social Studies to rush through the syllabi. Some schools provide supplementary lessons after school, this is like having extended curriculum time.

MOE should only change objectives, focus, content and pedagogy when assessment is also revised. Without changing the KPIs of the schools, principals, teachers and students, these changes will only make things worse for teachers and parents.

[starlight1968sg]

So true and yet such challenging to achieve.

In work, "focus on passion in work, not rewards/promotion" ?

[janet88]

With PSLE remains as the placement exam for secondary schools, will MOE achieve its new objectives?

When more PE lessons and NANO lessons are introduced in primary schools at the expense of the curriculum time for the examinable subjects, teachers have to "steal" time from other non-examinable subjects such as Arts and Social Studies to rush through the syllabi. Some schools provide supplementary lessons after school, this is like having extended curriculum time.

most schools are giving supplementary lessons for p6s...some twice a week, some 4x a week and let's not forget kids are also staying back for CCA. so for those staying back 4x a week, including cca...it means they stay back after school for 5 days. there is homework to be completed after the supplementary lessons end.

[floppy]

Imagine... MTI says:
Focus on a love for working, not economic results.

[sparks]

MOE should only change objectives, focus, content and pedagogy when assessment is also revised. Without changing the KPIs of the schools, principals, teachers and students, these changes will only make things worse for teachers and parents.

I agree. I too feel that kpi has contributed much of the existing problems. I do wonder if MOE even considered it a problem when they review the education system.

Now, I have ds who is critical of MOE for killing his school learning experience. I feel for him as I've been through a very enjoyable school life all the way esp in jc. I don't remember being so stressed up & lacking in sleep or time to finish homework. It pains me to see both of my children stressed up & losing hours of sleep over never ending homework, tests & projects. I am lucky not to be a student of today but my children are not.

[sparks]

MOE should only change objectives, focus, content and pedagogy when assessment is also revised. Without changing the KPIs of the schools, principals, teachers and students, these changes will only make things worse for teachers and parents.

I agree. I too feel that kpi has contributed much of the existing problems. I do wonder if MOE even considered it a problem when they review the education system.

Now, I have ds who is critical of MOE for killing his school learning experience. I feel for him as I've been through a very enjoyable school life all the way esp in jc. I don't remember being so stressed up & lacking in sleep or time to finish homework. It pains me to see both of my children stressed up & losing hours of sleep over never ending homework, tests & projects. I am lucky not to be a student of today but my children are not.

[janet88]

MOE should only change objectives, focus, content and pedagogy when assessment is also revised. Without changing the KPIs of the schools, principals, teachers and students, these changes will only make things worse for teachers and parents.

I agree. I too feel that kpi has contributed much of the existing problems. I do wonder if MOE even considered it a problem when they review the education system.

Now, I have ds who is critical of MOE for killing his school learning experience. I feel for him as I've been through a very enjoyable school life all the way esp in jc. I don't remember being so stressed up & lacking in sleep or time to finish homework. It pains me to see both of my children stressed up & losing hours of sleep over never ending homework, tests & projects. I am lucky not to be a student of today but my children are not.

[pirated]

No kpi = no progress

work, studies, corporate, government, all the same

[alng]

most schools are giving supplementary lessons for p6s...some twice a week, some 4x a week and let's not forget kids are also staying back for CCA. so for those staying back 4x a week, including cca...it means they stay back after school for 5 days. there is homework to be completed after the supplementary lessons end.

Janet, my ds school starts sup lessons in P5. He is having a total of 4.45 hours of sup lessons spread over 3 days. And he is having maths olympiad and a competitive sports as CCA. He is in school till 5.30 pm almost everyday. This is worse than working.

Weekends are now burnt for tuitions (as I move his tuitions to weekends due to his workload on weekdays) and homework. This is his life for next two years.