KiasuParents - Parenting in Singapore

Dear Mummies,

My special needs child is due to enter mainstream P1 next year. I am contemplating to exempt him from Mother Tongue. In terms of his MT, he is able to speak and read pretty well but it's the writing part that is a real challenge and nightmare for him. He takes a long time in mastering the strokes and certain letters he just could not write it out. Since he has learning difficulties, I am thinking of allowing him to just concentrate on English and Maths as I believed there is no luxury of time for him to spend 4-5 days just mastering the stroke well as seen in my elder girl's educational demands. The weekly 听写 is too much for him and most of the words are too difficult for him even at p1 level.

What is the implication behind this exemption and can I apply before his entry to P1? I see a portion of the application form that requires his MT teacher to write her comments. Seem to be that it is only possible after he enters P1 and with his MT teacher's recommendation. Pl enlighten me.

Thank you.

luvmum wrote:Dear Mummies,

My special needs child is due to enter mainstream P1 next year. I am contemplating to exempt him from Mother Tongue. In terms of his MT, he is able to speak and read pretty well but it's the writing part that is a real challenge and nightmare for him. He takes a long time in mastering the strokes and certain letters he just could not write it out. Since he has learning difficulties, I am thinking of allowing him to just concentrate on English and Maths as I believed there is no luxury of time for him to spend 4-5 days just mastering the stroke well as seen in my elder girl's educational demands. The weekly 听写 is too much for him and most of the words are too difficult for him even at p1 level.

What is the implication behind this exemption and can I apply before his entry to P1? I see a portion of the application form that requires his MT teacher to write her comments. Seem to be that it is only possible after he enters P1 and with his MT teacher's recommendation. Pl enlighten me.

Thank you.

Hi Luvmum,

You would need a letter from the doctor to recommend exemption from mother tongue, but that still doesn't guarantee the exemption. The school will still need to assess and grant approval.

I have raised up this matter with the child psychologist at IMH CGC. His recommendation is not to seek exemption at such early stage. We can review the needs again when he is in primary 3 or 4 and if he showed that he really cannot cope. The main implication is that it will be reflected on his certificate when he finished his PSLE or O level etc. He may need to have to explain why is it so in future and we are not sure if it will affect his chances to apply or get what he wants to achieve in future because of this little 'blemish'.
Of course, it wouldn't look good either if he gets a F for mother tongue or worse, the results for other subjects being affected because of the struggle with mother tongue..

My suggestion is not to make the decision so soon, just let him try (anyway most schools don't have exams for primary 1) and observe how he cope before making final decision.

DS is exempted from MT. O level just used L1R5 to apply JC no problem. Entrance to Uni would be based on score for 3H2 and 1H1 and GP + PW. No problem also.

Hi Luvmum,
The exemption application process is quite lengthy. My son is in Primary 5 and faces learning challenge. I am currently applying to MOE for MT exemption through the school and was told it can take up to 3 months for approval. And yes, the school's chinese teacher will need to write a report and it has to be submitted with your application form and psychologist report for MOE's review.

Thank you to mummies for your response n sharing.
Looks like I need to let him try n see what his MT teacher
Says then.

Many thanks.

Thank you to mummies for your response n sharing.
Looks like I need to let him try n see what his MT teacher
Says then.

Many thanks.

Hi,

I have a parent asking me the same question too....how does it affect the PSLE score if the child is taking only 3 subjects? How's it calculated? Thanks in advance.

John

JohnYeo wrote:Hi,

I have a parent asking me the same question too....how does it affect the PSLE score if the child is taking only 3 subjects? How's it calculated? Thanks in advance.

John

MOE doesn't make public how the score is calculated. However, if MT is the child's weakest subject, the T-score based on the 3 remaining subjects won't be lower than for 4 subjects.

slmkhoo wrote:

JohnYeo wrote:Hi,

I have a parent asking me the same question too....how does it affect the PSLE score if the child is taking only 3 subjects? How's it calculated? Thanks in advance.

John

MOE doesn't make public how the score is calculated. However, if MT is the child's weakest subject, the T-score based on the 3 remaining subjects won't be lower than for 4 subjects.

Thanks alot, slmkhoo...will let the parent know =)

What documents you need for mother tongue exemption? From the doctor?