half year mark, well almost
So I have my first born who followed my foot-step and got into my alma mater, but what she went through in the past semester was nothing like what I had gone through during my time. If I have to describe her Secondary School life, it's frightfully demanding, and this is only Sec. 1. I shuddered to think of life in Upper Sec. and Senior High. I do not remember and would not imagine it being this way. For a start, teachers are taught to encourage the students to embrace independent study. They would teach the basic concept in class and expect the students to read up on the comprehensive notes they prepared and then attempt the various assignments. Subject like History is no longer taught the same way as before where questions just required students to memorise event, date etc and regurgitate them. I do feel that the questions nowadays require more critical thinking and students have to get the hang of some answering technique. While I also agree that students should be taught to study and research on their own, it could be pretty daunting when they do not have the luxury of time. I definitely do not remember having to stay back in school past 6 p.m. when I was in lower Secondary. Now Andrea comes back from school close to 7 p.m. at least 3 times a week. It's CCA on at least 2 days and German on one day. There were also days when she stayed back for class committee discussion and project work. Even squeezing in a 1 1/2 hour slot on one weekday for her piano lesson is impossible on some week.
I was very surprised that CCA took up at least 6 hours a week, and this could go up to over 12 hours a week when there is performance. Take last week as an example, Andrea was in school for CCA on Monday 3.30 - 6.30 pm, Wednesday supposedly 3:30-8:30 p.m. (but she was sick), Friday 3:30-6:30 p.m., Saturday (9:30 a.m. - 10p.m.) as it was the concert day. One would think that they could take a short break after the concert but no. Monday was CCA as usual 3:30-6:30 pm and even today, she stayed back for CCA photo taking and more CCA discussion from 4:15 - 5:45 p.m. And this is supposed to be the norm???
By the time they came home from school, it's almost 7 p.m. or past 7 p.m. Dinner, shower and a little catch up with the family and it's 8:30p.m. and she would still have many pieces of homework to complete. It's definitely a BIG change from Primary School and honestly, a very hectic pace for a twelve or thirteen-year-old! Both Seong and myself went for the Parent Teacher meeting yesterday. While her performance was above average according to her teacher, I voiced my concern that she seems to have problem grasping Math concept (and that considering she constantly aced her Math in Primary School) seems a little odd to us. The teacher mentioned that what was taught in class is probably the very basic concept and the students are supposed to read the notes given to them on their own when attempting their homework. Seong even question if the school expects the kid to have tuition... "The child should try to arrange for consultation session with the teacher when she faced any difficulty" was what we were informed. I shall see how easy is it to have such session and if it helps. Gosh, I never heard of consultation session during my time!
I really feel that school is trying to pile on too much on the student's plate. While Andrea is coping and enjoying her CCA at the moment, I do feel that such hectic pace may wear her down one day. Shouldn't they be given time to grow and enjoy learning rather than having to cram notes just to obtain decent GPA score? Shouldn't the objective of CCA be to cultivate the child's interest or passion in non-academic area and not just a mean to showcase the school's strength?
I am starting to wonder why has our education becomes so demanding?
:(
I was very surprised that CCA took up at least 6 hours a week, and this could go up to over 12 hours a week when there is performance. Take last week as an example, Andrea was in school for CCA on Monday 3.30 - 6.30 pm, Wednesday supposedly 3:30-8:30 p.m. (but she was sick), Friday 3:30-6:30 p.m., Saturday (9:30 a.m. - 10p.m.) as it was the concert day. One would think that they could take a short break after the concert but no. Monday was CCA as usual 3:30-6:30 pm and even today, she stayed back for CCA photo taking and more CCA discussion from 4:15 - 5:45 p.m. And this is supposed to be the norm???
By the time they came home from school, it's almost 7 p.m. or past 7 p.m. Dinner, shower and a little catch up with the family and it's 8:30p.m. and she would still have many pieces of homework to complete. It's definitely a BIG change from Primary School and honestly, a very hectic pace for a twelve or thirteen-year-old! Both Seong and myself went for the Parent Teacher meeting yesterday. While her performance was above average according to her teacher, I voiced my concern that she seems to have problem grasping Math concept (and that considering she constantly aced her Math in Primary School) seems a little odd to us. The teacher mentioned that what was taught in class is probably the very basic concept and the students are supposed to read the notes given to them on their own when attempting their homework. Seong even question if the school expects the kid to have tuition... "The child should try to arrange for consultation session with the teacher when she faced any difficulty" was what we were informed. I shall see how easy is it to have such session and if it helps. Gosh, I never heard of consultation session during my time!
I really feel that school is trying to pile on too much on the student's plate. While Andrea is coping and enjoying her CCA at the moment, I do feel that such hectic pace may wear her down one day. Shouldn't they be given time to grow and enjoy learning rather than having to cram notes just to obtain decent GPA score? Shouldn't the objective of CCA be to cultivate the child's interest or passion in non-academic area and not just a mean to showcase the school's strength?
I am starting to wonder why has our education becomes so demanding?
:(