KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

FantasyLandDreams wrote:Hi zac’s mum,
You have a P5 kiddo too?

Actually a few of my friends brought up this discussion a few months ago. And some of us wonder if:
For this new DSA 2019 system, does it mean MOE has the ‘system administrator’ rights? How do we know if all schools really get to view all its applications? Is this becoming a ‘test system’ for the new AL system where students have to go through ballot for the popular secondary school if there are too many perfect psle AL scores? Will MOE do a first cut review and ‘allocate and spread out’ the applications to different schools since ‘every school is a good school’ and the number of DSA vacancy is roughly 35% of school cohort in recent years?

Lol no my one and only kiddo is still in P2! But I admit I am super kiasu & worried about his grades (kinda mediocre no matter how much we try), and therefore doing early research on DSA because I think he will need it haizzzzz.

It’s anybody’s guess how the new DSA 2019 system is going to be like. Hopefully we get some official details soon. But MOE is unlikely to release any details until after this DSA 2018 batch is done, which means a few more months’ time.

FantasyLandDreams wrote:Hi zac’s mum,
You have a P5 kiddo too?

Actually a few of my friends brought up this discussion a few months ago. And some of us wonder if:
For this new DSA 2019 system, does it mean MOE has the ‘system administrator’ rights? How do we know if all schools really get to view all its applications? Is this becoming a ‘test system’ for the new AL system where students have to go through ballot for the popular secondary school if there are too many perfect psle AL scores?

Will MOE do a first cut review and ‘allocate and spread out’ the applications to different schools since ‘every school is a good school’ and the number of DSA vacancy is roughly 35% of school cohort in recent years?

What FantasylandDreams had asked, is an important question, impacting children born 2007, because we are the pioneer batch where MOE start making new changes. It won't affect 2018 DSA (born 2006) batch. Also, partly because ours is the 2nd last batch under T-score system, before AL arrive.

Let's go back to an example of say, a 2019 P6 student (next year) going to apply for 3 IP schols : (RI, Hwa Chong, Dunman High).

If MOE's goal is to distribute more students into other IP schools, besides the usual popular (R* and H) * family, will MOE intercept / intervene / allocate the spread of IP candidates first, upon receiving centralized, computerised pool of DSA application forms, submitted by students ?

Say, in this case, if MOE were to route or stream-line the DSA applicant into Dunman High database for processing FIRST (before RI & Hwa Chong) and suppose after interview and clearing certain tests, Dunman High decide to offer CO (Confirmed Offer) to this applicant, that means case closed ? This candidate will no longer be considered by RI nor by Hwa Chong anymore, since Dunman High had already offered CO, since MOE had intercepted the sequence of DSA processing.

However, if Dunman High were to reject this applicant, then next step is MOE to route his application to either RI or to Hwa Chong, for DSA processing next, to let the other 2 schools have a chance to consider. However, Principal of both (RI and Hwa Chong) will be able to read and assess the comments written by Principal of Dunman High, as to why is this candidate, has been rejected, because the centralized database is open for school Principal(s), to assess applicants. Is this how is going to work, come July 2019, behind the background (silently) ?

However, in the (parents and P6 candidate) mind : Dunman High is actually 3rd choice. RI and Hwa Chong are their son's first 2 choices.

I don't think MOE intention to distribute the students evenly to other schools. I rather see it as the school is able to see if the students are truly genuine in the DSA of their choice when given the CO. I have heard horror story from teachers or coaches that they have to scramble to look for the next candidates fast especially when the confirmed offer student went to another school. Mess up the school planning as well. Some schools are equally competitive to select the pool of students they already have in mind.

So I think it is a good move. Transparent to all.

Following

Maybe MOE, as the employer, is taking over control so that the schools will be more transparent about how they rank & select the applicants?

Just like how nowadays P1 registration goes into a central database (based on the child’s BC number)? Unlike the olden days where MOE has zero idea who applied where & the schools had the free reign to accept donations or family connections for P1 entry?

So maybe now the schools will be forced to disclose their audition/trial checklist to MOE, minimum what certs/qualifications required, etc, to justify giving the CO/WL to so-and-so.

Just to share..... It is not so straight forward in terms of "ranking" kids in sports/performing arts etc

Let me share what I have seen. Child A very good in sports but attitude sucks big time. Every year before DSA, coaches already "mark" which student they already have in mind. But they don't just look at the "how good you are" . They are also looking out for other attributes - well behaved no trouble maker students.

Child B very talented in performing arts but the mother is a pain in the ass kind. Very difficult to deal with this mother. Kick up with many nonsense during competiton. Very drama. Became famous. Some school wants the kid but have a second thought.

Then maybe the schools can include “good attitude”, “emotional intelligence”, “adversity quotient”, “people skills” etc etc on their checklist?

These are the stuff that HR interviewers look out for in the real world anyway, not just paper qualifications.

Following. My kid is p5 this year.

zac's mum wrote:Then maybe the schools can include “good attitude”, “emotional intelligence”, “adversity quotient”, “people skills” etc etc on their checklist?

These are the stuff that HR interviewers look out for in the real world anyway, not just paper qualifications.

I am sure they take that into consideration. And they are also aware of the attitudes/ problematic parents issue. But I dont think all these will be on any "checklists". It will probably be graded under a generic "Others" category or only verbal among the teachers-in-charge.

Otherwise, how to tell the parents "we didnt shortlist your child because you super problematic" ?