Singapore primary education - Parents want the best for their child, ... hopefully no parents will be jailed for this

Commentary: Parents want the best for their child, but P1 registration cannot be only about 'me first'

Before considering bolder changes, we need to decide how to balance individual competitiveness and our collective values, say SMU’s Jacqueline Ho, NIE’s Jason Tan and NUS’ Vincent Chua.

SINGAPORE: In a high-stakes, credential-conscious environment, parents understandably want to deploy every available resource to secure their child’s educational future.

Recognising these pressures, the Ministry of Education recently announced adjustments to the Primary 1 registration framework. There will be more reserved places in Phase 2C for children with no prior connection to the school, up from 40 to 60 spots. Additionally, twelve schools in neighbourhoods with more private housing will offer a two-track Phase 2C to include those living beyond the usual 2km radius. CNA

Can anyone fault the parents for wanting the best for their children, especially in education? The Singapore govt understands this very well and is trying to do everything it could to satisfy their aspirations, love and devotion for their children and their future. This move will be music to the parents in Singapore.

Anyone thinks more should be done for the parents and their charge? Parental or motherly love must not be seen as a crime, or a serious crime that warrants jail sentences. Would the wise and clever men and women understand this?

"The stated goals of Phase 2A and Phase 2B are to preserve school culture through alumni, clan and church connections, and recognise volunteer or grassroots contributions. For decades, these priorities have defined the boundaries of what Singaporeans imagine the P1 registration framework can and should accomplish.

Yet while these policy objectives sound reasonable in theory, the registration rules meant to achieve them have become gameable levers of advantage in practice." CNA

A crime is a crime. But is gaming for a place in a good school for a child be seen in the same light as a violent crime or gaming in a casino or in the stock market? If so, then parents should not be allowed to do volunteer works for schools to gain points for admission as well. It is also a form of gaming. No?

What do you think?