This is in-line with the MOE’s vision of holistic training and the push towards instilling life-long values in our children. You see more character training companies now in the market gaining increasing acceptance.
More Financial goodies for needy families
The setting up of ‘Opportunity Fund’ gives schools an extra source of funds to tap into over and above what they are normally given in a financial year. This funding, to the tune of $118,000 to $150,000, the deciding factor being whether it is a neighborhood, autonomous or independent school, levels up enrichment courses available for needy students. They may range from training of communication skills, problem-solving skills to subsidized trips to Asian countries for educational exchange.
Non-native Mother Tongue is REALLY now happening
Now we have another set of ‘Hanyu Pinyin’ to learn. With all the challenges faced by parents and educators in helping our children gain competency in their mother tongues, it remains to be seen this is going to be implemented without overly taxing the students. Obviously, one criteria for admission would be a qualified mother tongue practitioner. Implementation starts this year in 2007.
Tuition business grows by the year, year after year
You see them sprouting them up like mushrooms in marketplace, shopping malls and neighborhood centers. It is a multi-million dollar business in Singapore. With all that is being spent to give our children that extra edge, the simple rule of thumb when choosing a private tutor is 1) qualification 2) verifiable experience and 3) your child’s feedback, the last one being of paramount importance. Horror stories abound of how tutors nanny their way through their monthly paychecks instead of supplementing academic knowledge.
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