- Joined
- Jul 24, 2008
- Messages
- 33,627
- Points
- 0
May 20, 2010
Style without substance for kids?
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
MY DAUGHTER attends the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) kindergarten at Boon Lay which was recently revamped and renamed Kidz Haven.
The centre was relaunched on Feb 28 and branded as PCF's first experiential learning kindergarten where preschoolers learn through experiment while maintaining a focus on the core curriculum. This new set-up meant the school fees increased, from $120 to $180 for subsidised K1 and K2 students.
Much was expected from this new concept of learning but to my dismay, it has not been the case.
My older daughter (now in Primary 3) attended a 'traditional' PCF kindergarten. In K2, she was prepared for the transition to primary school with basic spelling tests and light homework. She made the transition with ease and is coping well in school.
My younger daughter has spent six months at Kidz Haven and her progress seems slower when compared with my older daughter.
The centre seems to have spent much effort to 'dress up' the classrooms. However, the kids have to take turns writing on proper desks. Those who are not assigned desks have to write while seated on the floor.
Why did the PCF launch this concept at Boon Lay, a neighbourhood with low-income households?
=> Easier to suck the gullible?
It was reported that various schemes were available to aid low-income families and that none was turned away. The fact is, these families chose to leave. You can tell by the dwindling number of kids at the centre after the revamp.
From feedback I gathered, parents transferred their kids out to other PCF branches because of the higher school fees.
Has PCF lost its focus on providing affordable preschool education to those in the heartland? Why set up a centre with modern amenities, but lacking in basic furniture like study desks?
Edwin Lim
Style without substance for kids?
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
MY DAUGHTER attends the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) kindergarten at Boon Lay which was recently revamped and renamed Kidz Haven.
The centre was relaunched on Feb 28 and branded as PCF's first experiential learning kindergarten where preschoolers learn through experiment while maintaining a focus on the core curriculum. This new set-up meant the school fees increased, from $120 to $180 for subsidised K1 and K2 students.
Much was expected from this new concept of learning but to my dismay, it has not been the case.
My older daughter (now in Primary 3) attended a 'traditional' PCF kindergarten. In K2, she was prepared for the transition to primary school with basic spelling tests and light homework. She made the transition with ease and is coping well in school.
My younger daughter has spent six months at Kidz Haven and her progress seems slower when compared with my older daughter.
The centre seems to have spent much effort to 'dress up' the classrooms. However, the kids have to take turns writing on proper desks. Those who are not assigned desks have to write while seated on the floor.
Why did the PCF launch this concept at Boon Lay, a neighbourhood with low-income households?
=> Easier to suck the gullible?
It was reported that various schemes were available to aid low-income families and that none was turned away. The fact is, these families chose to leave. You can tell by the dwindling number of kids at the centre after the revamp.
From feedback I gathered, parents transferred their kids out to other PCF branches because of the higher school fees.
Has PCF lost its focus on providing affordable preschool education to those in the heartland? Why set up a centre with modern amenities, but lacking in basic furniture like study desks?
Edwin Lim
