KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

I am not sure where else in the forum is appropriate for this topic. Perhaps, the administrators can suggest.......?



I can understand that sometimes resources may be limited but then, if kids are encouraged to take up CCA, isn't it the case that it has to be something that the child has an interest in, whether or not the child is expertly trained in the CCA?

In my son's school, which I believe to be a rare example, there are 3 levels of CCA;

1. School team – For pupils who excel in the sports CCA and have been selected to represent the school in competitions.
2. Recreational – For pupils who have a strong interest in the sport and would like to play to hone their skills.
3. Enrichment – For pupils who have a strong interest in the sport and would like to train directly under a paid coach.

Their efforts need to be applauded as this gives the kids the opportunity to do something they truly enjoy. Sure, you might need to pay if you want a coach for your child but aren't most parents already having to fork out money for external lessons to get their kids into CCAs?

Not having to be assigned to the school band or the choir (I may get brickbats for these examples but these are the CCAs that need lots of participants and where I hear most grouses) because you don't qualify for any other CCAs and the schools need you to fill up the gaps. Seriously, it is no joke being stuck into a CCA that you don't enjoy for the next 4 years of your secondary school life, and mind you that the practice sessions can take up lots of time. More often than not, this can have a detrimental and demoralizing effect on your school life, perhaps even affecting your academic performance!

The problem with many schools is that they are only looking for those who are already good and can contribute immediately to the CCA, and bring glory to the schools. Parents not only have to invest in academic enrichment but also throw serious money into areas like tennis, bowling, golf, ballet, music etc to help their kids get into certain CCAs. And with DSA now, the chances of getting into some CCAs are almost zilch! What about someone who is interested in say badminton, not good at it, or maybe even wants to learn to play the sport, and wants to have it as a recreational sport? Isn't CCA also about encouraging the development of interests? Unfortunately, many schools don't give you this choice!

Or rather, it is so ironic that even as the MOE talked about de-emphasizing the academics, that the CCA selection is an equally highly result driven process!

A choice is not necessarily a choice when you are forcefully being told to make those choices........

Let our children enjoy their CCAs!

ProudOfMyKids wrote:I am not sure where else in the forum is appropriate for this topic. Perhaps, the administrators can suggest.......?



I can understand that sometimes resources may be limited but then, if kids are encouraged to take up CCA, isn't it the case that it has to be something that the child has an interest in, whether or not the child is expertly trained in the CCA?

In my son's school, which I believe to be a rare example, there are 3 levels of CCA;

1. School team – For pupils who excel in the sports CCA and have been selected to represent the school in competitions.
2. Recreational – For pupils who have a strong interest in the sport and would like to play to hone their skills.
3. Enrichment – For pupils who have a strong interest in the sport and would like to train directly under a paid coach.

Their efforts need to be applauded as this gives the kids the opportunity to do something they truly enjoy. Sure, you might need to pay if you want a coach for your child but aren't most parents already having to fork out money for external lessons to get their kids into CCAs?

Not having to be assigned to the school band or the choir (I may get brickbats for these examples but these are the CCAs that need lots of participants and where I hear most grouses) because you don't qualify for any other CCAs and the schools need you to fill up the gaps. Seriously, it is no joke being stuck into a CCA that you don't enjoy for the next 4 years of your secondary school life, and mind you that the practice sessions can take up lots of time. More often than not, this can have a detrimental and demoralizing effect on your school life, perhaps even affecting your academic performance!

The problem with many schools is that they are only looking for those who are already good and can contribute immediately to the CCA, and bring glory to the schools. Parents not only have to invest in academic enrichment but also throw serious money into areas like tennis, bowling, golf, ballet, music etc to help their kids get into certain CCAs. And with DSA now, the chances of getting into some CCAs are almost zilch! What about someone who is interested in say badminton, not good at it, or maybe even wants to learn to play the sport, and wants to have it as a recreational sport? Isn't CCA also about encouraging the development of interests? Unfortunately, many schools don't give you this choice!

Or rather, it is so ironic that even as the MOE talked about de-emphasizing the academics, that the CCA selection is an equally highly result driven process!

A choice is not necessarily a choice when you are forcefully being told to make those choices........

Let our children enjoy their CCAs!

I totally agree with you.

Like a friend who just told me today - now CCA choose you n not you choose your CCA. In the past (during my time) CCAs are meant for you to bond with your friends n have a balanced school life. Now its not. Its so competitive n only the best will be selected.

My children do not have any sport or aesthetics talents, so got no choice but got kicked into the CCA which nobody wants.

Anyway, this is Singapore, so no choice, if we want to live here.

Last time we choose our CCA meh?
I remember I was not chosen for the CCA I wanted but was 'posted' to one that still had vacancies cos it's not popular. That was 30 years ago.....still same leh.

ProudOfMyKids wrote:I am not sure where else in the forum is appropriate for this topic. Perhaps, the administrators can suggest.......?



I can understand that sometimes resources may be limited but then, if kids are encouraged to take up CCA, isn't it the case that it has to be something that the child has an interest in, whether or not the child is expertly trained in the CCA?

In my son's school, which I believe to be a rare example, there are 3 levels of CCA;

1. School team – For pupils who excel in the sports CCA and have been selected to represent the school in competitions.
2. Recreational – For pupils who have a strong interest in the sport and would like to play to hone their skills.
3. Enrichment – For pupils who have a strong interest in the sport and would like to train directly under a paid coach.

Their efforts need to be applauded as this gives the kids the opportunity to do something they truly enjoy. Sure, you might need to pay if you want a coach for your child but aren't most parents already having to fork out money for external lessons to get their kids into CCAs?

Not having to be assigned to the school band or the choir (I may get brickbats for these examples but these are the CCAs that need lots of participants and where I hear most grouses) because you don't qualify for any other CCAs and the schools need you to fill up the gaps. Seriously, it is no joke being stuck into a CCA that you don't enjoy for the next 4 years of your secondary school life, and mind you that the practice sessions can take up lots of time. More often than not, this can have a detrimental and demoralizing effect on your school life, perhaps even affecting your academic performance!

The problem with many schools is that they are only looking for those who are already good and can contribute immediately to the CCA, and bring glory to the schools. Parents not only have to invest in academic enrichment but also throw serious money into areas like tennis, bowling, golf, ballet, music etc to help their kids get into certain CCAs. And with DSA now, the chances of getting into some CCAs are almost zilch! What about someone who is interested in say badminton, not good at it, or maybe even wants to learn to play the sport, and wants to have it as a recreational sport? Isn't CCA also about encouraging the development of interests? Unfortunately, many schools don't give you this choice!

Or rather, it is so ironic that even as the MOE talked about de-emphasizing the academics, that the CCA selection is an equally highly result driven process!

A choice is not necessarily a choice when you are forcefully being told to make those choices........

Let our children enjoy their CCAs!

Which school is your ds in?

For myself, CCA was based on my own choice during my time.

I suspect CCA is made competitive then it can justify more students to come in via the DSA route. In the past, there are only a handful who will join a school based on DSA.

If the schools are not interested in sending kids to sports and clubs competition, then it makes no sense to take in kids via DSA in a bigger way than in the past. Uniform groups are less competitive to enter and they don't admit kids via DSA.

Albeit I may find a reason for what it is today, it does not mean I agree with the current system. I feel that each CCA should have both a school competition team versus a recreational/enrichment flavour for those interested in learning across all schools...otherwise we cannot claim all schools are good schools, if the choice does not exist.

ds' good friend who dsa-ed thru water polo had told ds that he wasn't enjoying any of the trainings which is like 3x weekly now. He got no choice but stay put in the CCA. Secondary school life is part of the childhood that our children will remember. I think parents have a big part to play in the outcome too, not only the school & education system.

sparks wrote:ds' good friend who dsa-ed thru water polo had told ds that he wasn't enjoying any of the trainings which is like 3x weekly now. He got no choice but stay put in the CCA. Secondary school life is part of the childhood that our children will remember. I think parents have a big part to play in the outcome too, not only the school & education system.

that's why i think one should consider carefully when dsa via sports or performing arts. unless the child has a passion for the activity, it is best not to dsa via sports / pa just to get into a good school or to secure a school before psle.

Maybe it's too early to tell? Or diff school has diff practice?

dd DSA via performing arts. She was happy that she didn't have to audition for ccas as it seems quite competitive to land what you want especially if the cca is popular. Yes, she just started sec 1 so maybe it's not the best gauge but her cca commitment also don't appear to be more than the other students in the same cca. Well, yes she has started her cca (the rest who didn't dsa will probably start only in feb as they are still conducting the auditions and shortlist). But due to lack of instruments, she has not been doing much. So she has been pretty bored as she would prefer playing the instrument, etc.. School is also doing away with saturday cca.

We also observed alot of her pri pals ended up joining performing arts again (same cca) in sec school as they really had a good experience. But it appear that her cca commitment isn't any much more than her classmates/ pri pals who went to other schools.

At this moment, we feel that there is not much difference whether she DSAed or not. In fact, we thought it's good she did so she can continue with her favorite cca without having to "compete" for a cca. But yes, she heard of those sports dsa who already joined the school for training in December.

But maybe her performing arts cca in pri school was rather intense. During Dec school hols, they were going back at least 4-5 days a week to prepare for this competition and that event. So it's like nothing new.

Dreamgear wrote: Which school is your ds in?

Dreamgear,

My son studies at acps.

The school has an approach very different from many others.

He enjoys school very much, so much so that he misses his friends over the holidays!