Of Customs and Education
A recent article splashed across the Straits Times have caught my attention - The reduction of the Chinese Syllabus.
Apparently the education system in Singapore is reassessing certain topics and these parts of the traditional syllabus had been deemed as unimportant for the students in Singapore. Without a doubt there must be a huge cheer erupting from students who are facing huge problems with the Chinese Language.
Think again.
What the Education System has only approved is the reduction of the syllabus to be taught in schools. Meaning that the teachers would have to source out the additional parts themselves - because it might still be tested in exams. In addition, the removal of this portion called "Ting Xie" [pardon me for this is a direct chinese sounding term translated into english words - a more direct translation of meanings would perhaps result in it being called listening and writing?]
My mother was vehemently against the idea. She was a chinese teacher.
Her explanation to me was students would not be able to effective utilise the words if they are simply taught to recognise words and not trained to remember them. Think along the scenario - Do all people who can read and recognise english know how to write them properly? Perhaps the current notion is no longer the strict requirement of how each stroke should be written but if "monkey see monkey do" works for duplicating the chinese letter then the language is considered as taught successfully.
The second exclusion was the study of Chinese Customs and Marriage for the education system deemed such topics as irrelevant to the current social life system in Singapore. To what extent can we possibly judge what is relevant to the social system in Singapore? Actual incidents in Singapore? Why then are we not including actual Singaporeans who might have made an impact on the Chinese Education or Chinese Arts Scene in Singapore?
Reminds me of the sudden fame attributed to Douglas O and Dick Lee after the launch of Singapore Idol.
Therefore, comes this distinct question - If the removed portion of chinese syllabus is approved because it had been deemed too difficult and perhaps irrelevant by the Singapore Education System, why is it still possible that exam questions would be tested on those portions?
Teach Less? As true as serving a 44 hour week amongst civil servants despite the announcement of the 5-day week and the opening of counters despite it's a saturday.
As true as promising help for the elderly and the children and leaving the middle class to fend for themselves when they are the actual breadwinners.
As true as reinforcing the cultural aspects of multi-racial harmony when the emphasis fell on Chinese, Indians and Malays while the Eurasians categorised under 'others' were not mentioned.
As true as citing Singapore as a Patriarchal Society which effectively categorises Singapore as a gender-based society while promising rewards and opportunities being based on meritocracy.
Learn more? The bulk of the responsibility falls therefore on the teachers. If the teacher, on top of handling at least one School Curriculum Activity and countless meetings and projects for job-process re-engineering and part-time school liaison protocol officer, does not seem like an easier task altogether.
Singapore Teachers - I offer an advance extra salute to the future challenges heading your way.
This should deter most people from tailgating your car.
Apparently the education system in Singapore is reassessing certain topics and these parts of the traditional syllabus had been deemed as unimportant for the students in Singapore. Without a doubt there must be a huge cheer erupting from students who are facing huge problems with the Chinese Language.
Think again.
What the Education System has only approved is the reduction of the syllabus to be taught in schools. Meaning that the teachers would have to source out the additional parts themselves - because it might still be tested in exams. In addition, the removal of this portion called "Ting Xie" [pardon me for this is a direct chinese sounding term translated into english words - a more direct translation of meanings would perhaps result in it being called listening and writing?]
My mother was vehemently against the idea. She was a chinese teacher.
Her explanation to me was students would not be able to effective utilise the words if they are simply taught to recognise words and not trained to remember them. Think along the scenario - Do all people who can read and recognise english know how to write them properly? Perhaps the current notion is no longer the strict requirement of how each stroke should be written but if "monkey see monkey do" works for duplicating the chinese letter then the language is considered as taught successfully.
The second exclusion was the study of Chinese Customs and Marriage for the education system deemed such topics as irrelevant to the current social life system in Singapore. To what extent can we possibly judge what is relevant to the social system in Singapore? Actual incidents in Singapore? Why then are we not including actual Singaporeans who might have made an impact on the Chinese Education or Chinese Arts Scene in Singapore?
Reminds me of the sudden fame attributed to Douglas O and Dick Lee after the launch of Singapore Idol.
Therefore, comes this distinct question - If the removed portion of chinese syllabus is approved because it had been deemed too difficult and perhaps irrelevant by the Singapore Education System, why is it still possible that exam questions would be tested on those portions?
Teach Less? As true as serving a 44 hour week amongst civil servants despite the announcement of the 5-day week and the opening of counters despite it's a saturday.
As true as promising help for the elderly and the children and leaving the middle class to fend for themselves when they are the actual breadwinners.
As true as reinforcing the cultural aspects of multi-racial harmony when the emphasis fell on Chinese, Indians and Malays while the Eurasians categorised under 'others' were not mentioned.
As true as citing Singapore as a Patriarchal Society which effectively categorises Singapore as a gender-based society while promising rewards and opportunities being based on meritocracy.
Learn more? The bulk of the responsibility falls therefore on the teachers. If the teacher, on top of handling at least one School Curriculum Activity and countless meetings and projects for job-process re-engineering and part-time school liaison protocol officer, does not seem like an easier task altogether.
Singapore Teachers - I offer an advance extra salute to the future challenges heading your way.
This should deter most people from tailgating your car.
posted by Inarticulate at 2:09 PM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home