Streaming: Are We Widening the Divide?
Date: 05 Jul 2003
Speaker: Carmee Lim
Quick Links:
[ Quotes | Definitions | Articles | Guest Speaker ]
Speaker: Carmee Lim
Quick Links:
[ Quotes | Definitions | Articles | Guest Speaker ]
Streaming is a distinctive feature of the Singapore education system. Recently we introduced integrated programmes or "through train" tracks for students in elite schools, which some say will further accentuate the divide between those who succeed academically and those who do not.
How successful has streaming been? Does streaming make teaching and learning easier? Does it produce better outcomes? What are the risks? Should school systems be more egalitarian, more diverse? Who makes the selection? Are exams a good gauge of ability? Are the ones who fall into the weaker streams disadvantaged for the rest of their lives? Is there a better way to do this?
Talk with us. Share your views.
How successful has streaming been? Does streaming make teaching and learning easier? Does it produce better outcomes? What are the risks? Should school systems be more egalitarian, more diverse? Who makes the selection? Are exams a good gauge of ability? Are the ones who fall into the weaker streams disadvantaged for the rest of their lives? Is there a better way to do this?
Talk with us. Share your views.
Quotes
"Ah, but you say, JC students get better and therefore more expensive teaching. Well let's look at the figures. The recurrent operating cost for JC is $11 million and $7,879 per student per year. For ITE, $10.5 million and $ 8,030 per student per year. The ITE student is worth 102% compared to the JC student in terms of spending. And for both JC and ITE students, government charges for their education a 'princely' sum of $25 per month. Let me say that MOE does not a priori provide educational programs to different aptitudes based on equivalent spending. Our guiding principle has and will be, enable each student according to his aptitude to realise his potential."
- Speech by MOS Ng Eng Hen at Parliamentary Debate, 26 Nov 2002
"I find it very difficult to believe that any policy-maker or education expert is able to accurately forecast which 12 year-old child is going to be suitable for a more flexible curriculum offered by the special "through-train" or the more structured curriculum offered by the normal coach track."
- Joycelyn Woo Yen Yen (full text of article in readings below)
- Speech by MOS Ng Eng Hen at Parliamentary Debate, 26 Nov 2002
"I find it very difficult to believe that any policy-maker or education expert is able to accurately forecast which 12 year-old child is going to be suitable for a more flexible curriculum offered by the special "through-train" or the more structured curriculum offered by the normal coach track."
- Joycelyn Woo Yen Yen (full text of article in readings below)
Definitions
Streaming means arranging students in classes by achievement levels; also known in other countries as Setting, Tracking, and Ability grouping.
Articles
More Choice, Greater Diversity - Website with press release and speeches on the Integrated Programme in schools.
English Language Planning and Policy in Singapore - Information and statistics on Singapore's languages policy in schools and how this may have further stratified society.
Primary Education - Overview of the Singapore primary education system, and the streaming process.
Mental Health: Suffer the children - The stressful effects of the streaming process on children. Some very interesting statistics including an SPH survey where 10-12 year old Singaporeans said they were more afraid of exams than of their parents dying, and one-third of those surveyed said life wasn't worth living.
Do EM3 and Normal Technical Students get a fair go?
Through train: Are we on the right track - Personal response by a Singaporean based in US, Joycelyn Woo Yen Yen, on recent reforms to education system, and an expanded version of a letter to the Straits Times. One suggestion includes the development of alternative schools.
Britain: Children socially, educationally disadvantaged by age two - Article on a study in the UK that suggests children are educationally disadvantaged even before entering school.
Response on Streaming to Feedback Unit
Standards, Inequality and Ability Grouping in Schools
English Language Planning and Policy in Singapore - Information and statistics on Singapore's languages policy in schools and how this may have further stratified society.
Primary Education - Overview of the Singapore primary education system, and the streaming process.
Mental Health: Suffer the children - The stressful effects of the streaming process on children. Some very interesting statistics including an SPH survey where 10-12 year old Singaporeans said they were more afraid of exams than of their parents dying, and one-third of those surveyed said life wasn't worth living.
Do EM3 and Normal Technical Students get a fair go?
Through train: Are we on the right track - Personal response by a Singaporean based in US, Joycelyn Woo Yen Yen, on recent reforms to education system, and an expanded version of a letter to the Straits Times. One suggestion includes the development of alternative schools.
Britain: Children socially, educationally disadvantaged by age two - Article on a study in the UK that suggests children are educationally disadvantaged even before entering school.
Response on Streaming to Feedback Unit
Standards, Inequality and Ability Grouping in Schools
Guest Speaker
We're happy to have Mrs Carmee Lim join us at this session as a guest speaker.
Carmee Lim is the Chair of Women and Sports, School and Junior Sport Sub-committee, as well as the Deputy Chair of Women and Sport Working Group. She has taught Science and Mathematics at both secondary and pre-university levels in Singapore. She was placed on the "1993 Honor Roll of Teachers" by the Association of Science-Technology Centres, USA, for her contribution to Science Education. She was the Principal of Raffles Girls' School, the premier girls' school in Singapore, from 1988 - 1999, and is currently the Executive Director of the Academy of Principals (Singapore). A very active sportswoman, musician and vocalist, Carmee represented her school and college in track and field and netball and participated in musical productions. She is also a certified Aerobics Instructor, and now enjoys music and dance, tennis, taiji and golf. Carmee is the Chairman of the Integrative Learning Corporation. She is the Chairperson of the Parents Advisory Group for the Internet (PAGi), a volunteer group dedicated to supporting and empowering parents facing the challenge of raising children in an online world.
Carmee Lim is the Chair of Women and Sports, School and Junior Sport Sub-committee, as well as the Deputy Chair of Women and Sport Working Group. She has taught Science and Mathematics at both secondary and pre-university levels in Singapore. She was placed on the "1993 Honor Roll of Teachers" by the Association of Science-Technology Centres, USA, for her contribution to Science Education. She was the Principal of Raffles Girls' School, the premier girls' school in Singapore, from 1988 - 1999, and is currently the Executive Director of the Academy of Principals (Singapore). A very active sportswoman, musician and vocalist, Carmee represented her school and college in track and field and netball and participated in musical productions. She is also a certified Aerobics Instructor, and now enjoys music and dance, tennis, taiji and golf. Carmee is the Chairman of the Integrative Learning Corporation. She is the Chairperson of the Parents Advisory Group for the Internet (PAGi), a volunteer group dedicated to supporting and empowering parents facing the challenge of raising children in an online world.
