Does anyone send their kids to public school?

[smiley188]

wow... long discussion !!

we decided to send our kids to local school - didn't even need to think twice about it. No regrets about it so far.. but we don't expect any

there has long been a stereotype about local schools being stifling and churning out robots into the system. I have many friends who who would do anything to avoid sending their kids to a local school.

a couple of things to consider:

1) temperament of your child - how is his or her learning style? If s/he is bright and a quick learner, they may thrive in a local school where they are exposed to more challenging academic materials earlier in life.

2) values of the parent / preferences -

(a) undeniably, there will be more homework at local schools - are you prepared for this? we used to dread the homework but later adjusted our schedules to this - just part of the bonding with the kids (although there are more fun ways to do so!!)...

(b)exposure to a more diverse student population - i am not referring to cultural/national diversity (international schools would have this hands down) but to the diversity in socio-economic backgrounds. Most kids in international schools are from comfortable families and most tend to have certain expectations in life. Less so for local schools although some like MGS/ACS tend to have the doctor/lawyer type family backgrounds. I personally want my kids to know friends from different backgrounds

(c) social values - the church affiliated local schools have impressed us very much. Values such as kindness, patience, etc are emphasised. At my kid's school, the classes are named according to these values and they have a special "character" badge that the kids work towards that they can proudly wear on their uniform. My daughter was even asked to bring in a piece of cloth to school - they will be teaching small household skills like wiping the table and sweeping the floor (they have to keep their classrooms clean!) -personally, i find this a good thing. The easy access to maids here has resulted in few kids lifting a finger around the house.

(d) academic pressure - sure, there are the pressure house local schools (brand names) like Nanyang, Raffles, ACS, etc - however, you DON"T HAVE to send your kids there... not that you could get in anyway, as the demand is more than spaces available. We purposely chose a school that would focus on the overall development of the person and not just academics only. Not a high demand school but one that works for our family

(e) costs - nuff said - local schools are cheap, especially if you are a PR - monthly fees are $15.50 (soon to rise but still affordable). Even cheaper than my other kid's pre-school fees. Think of all the savings compared with international schools.. especially if you are not on a package where school fees are covered by the company

other issues with local schools such as speaking more singlish, or lack of creativity can all be addressed at home - eg teach your kids that "proper" English to be used everywhere except at school (they need to be able to use Singlish to "fit in" too).  Expose them to different things/activities to broaden their horizons.. parents have a major role to play too.. not only the school.

All the best with your decision !   

[onlooker]

Many of us stay in Singapore, with our kids in the better (in our opinion) International schools because we can't face the state system in our own countries.  I am from the UK and whilst I would be more than happy for my children to attend the local state primary, I would not be happy with the local state comprehensive school.  Standards are low, discipline is slack.  Unfortunately, with three children, private education in the UK is out of our league.  We pay our own fees here too, but with the low tax environment and increased salary, we can afford it.  I agree with much of what you say 'thumbs up' but I also think Kiwi teacher has some relevant points.  I don't know much about the local system but  your comparison is with Raffles and a good Canadian state school.  Since Raffles is very selective academically, I think you need to compare it with a highly selective state school in Canada (if they exist). Perhaps a state school for the gifted would be a fairer comparison.  

Thumbs up - I agree about the ballet and music.  Many western parents do these enrichments for fun though - not to become high level performers.  My children have attended local ballet and gymnastics clubs.  They made lots of progress but after a year or so didn't want to go any more. I could have forced them, but that wasn't the point, so we switched to more laid back expat places and they love going.  You're right, the rigour isn't there but they have a love for dance and gymnastics again.  Which is more important?  For us, it's the joy, since they're not going to become professionals anyway.  For you it may be standards - that's ok too.  We're all looking for different things.  

I think the fundamental difference is cultural - we have a different mindset about education and enrichment.  I want academic rigour from a school but I also want my kids to achieve their potential, be good, kind people with a love of life.  I think we get that at our international school.  I'm not sure we would at our state school in the UK.  I have no idea how they would fare in the local system - but I know at least one of my children would be in the lower stream.

[fugu_master]

And all I wanted to know if any expats send their kids to local schools

@smiley188 - thanks for the excellent feedback, it it one of the most relevant and informative posts. We're on the same wavelength.

I will be checking out the local schools for sure and besides I reckon I can at least try local for a year and then decide if we want/need to go international.

[i do both]

I sent my kids to a local school for few years (during the first 5 years)due to $$$ reason and then I switch to an intermational school. No regrets for local school at all. I am very happy with all the learning at local. My kids watch chinese cartoon on TV and they understand it.

[smiley188]

hey fugu_master

glad to know you found the info helpful

another point i forgot to make is that you can always switch from local school to international school (assuming your kids are young enough to be able to start local school first) but cannot switch from international school to local school.

i believe some international schools also ask for a lump sum deposit of several thousand dollars.. no such thing for local schools although rumour has it that some of the brand name local schools welcome contributions to the school fund ... 

[scorn]

kiwi teacher said:

"I know this is hard for you to grasp, but my opinions are not the same thing as 'education today'. They are my opinions. Just as your post was not 'facts and figures' but simply your opinions too."

If they were just your opinions you wouldn't call yourself  'kiwi teacher.' If you don't want to be represented as a teacher in this debate -- ie, a representative of your favoured education system  -- then you need to change your title to something like My Two Cents.

And as for a lack of facts and figures on my part, let's rehash what I said:

-Raffles world's best prep school for Ivy League, according to WSJ
-half of PHDs in US now foreign-born
-China to become top spender on R&D by 2020

These are called facts and figures. Let's just say I'm glad you won't be marking my children's exams.

[Teacher too...]

scorn - please stop comparing local schools with the US system.  Most international schools here follow the IB which in the later years is an exam driven system, more like the British one (standards are more like the A levels used to be in the UK - and still are in Singapore)  I would never put my kids in the American school system as I think its too wishy washy - no national standards etc.  The GPA system is a joke, which is why their universities have to rely on SATS. However, at the university level, they rank amongst the best in the world, which is why the cream of Singapore want to go there.

I don't know about the US, but in the UK it is actually easier for a foreigner to get into university as they are paying the full overseas fees so are a more attractive proposition.  The only course where this doesn't apply is medicine as there is a quota.


Teachers are allowed 'opinions' too.  Teachers opinions on education vary across the entire spectrum of educational philosophy.

[kiwi teacher]

kiwi teacher said:

"I know this is hard for you to grasp, but my opinions are not the same thing as 'education today'. They are my opinions. Just as your post was not 'facts and figures' but simply your opinions too."

If they were just your opinions you wouldn't call yourself  'kiwi teacher.' If you don't want to be represented as a teacher in this debate -- ie, a representative of your favoured education system  -- then you need to change your title to something like My Two Cents.

And as for a lack of facts and figures on my part, let's rehash what I said:

-Raffles world's best prep school for Ivy League, according to WSJ
-half of PHDs in US now foreign-born
-China to become top spender on R&D by 2020

These are called facts and figures. Let's just say I'm glad you won't be marking my children's exams.

Facts and figures are not biased and blatantly twisted. Like this comment of yours:

"Western countries are becoming severely indebted (an inability to count perhaps)"

or maybe:

"Asian parents are raising children who are becoming the world's next leaders, in science, business and elsewhere"

You also said half of all US university graduates are foreign after these comments - implying that these students are all Asian, when that is not the case at all.

These are your biased viewpoints on the situation, and they lent nought to the discussion. That is what I referred to as chest-beating and it is why I said I didn't want to get into it. I'm sure you realised this, and are really just trying to pick a fight when there does not need to be one. As for the comments on China being the top anything by 2020, well, that remains to be seen, and therefore can scarcely be called a fact when it is a prediction at best...

Had you read the original post, you would have seen that the OP was coming from New Zealand, and had children in school there. I'm not sure how that has offended you so badly but as a teacher who has worked in both systems (and coming from the same country as the OP) I felt it was an appropriate handle. I did not claim to be any authority on the subject of all things education related, and actually stated more than once that my posts were my observations and opinions... At any rate, "scorn" is certainly an appropriate handle for you.

It's an internet discussion board. Not everyone is going to agree on everything. You are coming across as scathing and narrow-minded, and are resorting to personal attacks which is just not helping your case at all.

[OMG]

Scorn you are being a right jackass. What is your beef with kiwi teacher? Why have you taken his comments so personally? If he hadn't said he was a teacher, you would no doubt have told him he didn't know what he was talking about! As the PP said, teachers are allowed opinions! Especially on a discussion about types of education! Kiwi teacher has simply given his opinions so there was no reason for an idiot like you to start making personal attacks. The OP is probably not even reading the thread anymore, but all you did to the discussion was denigrate it into a mudslinging exercise against all western countries anyway. Put your kids in a hot house if that's what you want. Others do not think that is better. Aren't we all just doing what we think is best for our kids? Just leave it alone!

[so sorry scorn,]

but Asians wont be taking over the world anytime soon.

[hello12345]

When she left school, there were options to carry on to a Junior College (more maths and science etc) or polytech (where there are subjects for those who are less academic - like social sciences) and lowest on the list are the technical colleges where people learn trades (which are not regarded highly here - a student at technical college would not have made his parents very proud at all)... When I first learned about these rankings, it made me extremely sad.

I don't think this is unique to Singapore. Technical colleges are deemed "lower on the list" in my countries too, isn't the situation the same in US and UK and Australia too? Most parents I know of in those countries would rather have their kids study for a degree than a trade qualification.

[Plumber wins!]

When she left school, there were options to carry on to a Junior College (more maths and science etc) or polytech (where there are subjects for those who are less academic - like social sciences) and lowest on the list are the technical colleges where people learn trades (which are not regarded highly here - a student at technical college would not have made his parents very proud at all)... When I first learned about these rankings, it made me extremely sad.

I don't think this is unique to Singapore. Technical colleges are deemed "lower on the list" in my countries too, isn't the situation the same in US and UK and Australia too? Most parents I know of in those countries would rather have their kids study for a degree than a trade qualification.

I agree, everywhere this is pretty much the opinion. But just as we all regard tech college with less reverence, we also realize that sometimes the most successful guy on the street is a plumber.

[completely disagree!]

Actually, to the two PP's, I completely disagree.

In Australia or New Zealand most parents would NOT prefer their kids to study in a university over taking a technical trade. These are often jobs that are highly paid and generally respected. In Singapore, they are taken on by mostly unskilled or foreign workers but that is not the case everywhere.

I would far prefer my child became a mechanic or a chef over studying economics, for instance, at university.

[$Pripps]

I think in West in general trades are highly regarded. Its only here it seems that becoming something less than a doctor or banker is regarded as a failure.

[indian123]

Its only here it seems that becoming something less than a doctor or banker is regarded as a failure.

thats an exaggeration (or generalization?)
I've met many who don't share that sentiment.