<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR>Different benchmark and posting exercise for homeschoolers
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->MY WIFE and I decided to homeschool our son in 2006. The Ministry of Education (MOE) approved this and granted us exemption from compulsory education. MOE told us we would need to track the homeschooling progress of our son and submit to the Compulsory Education Unit a progress report in the first week of December every year until he reached the equivalent of Primary 6 in a national school. He would then sit for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
We did as instructed. My son took the PSLE this year and scored an aggregate score of 242. He scored A* in mathematics and science, A in English and B in Chinese as second language. MOE then told us 'there is a different benchmark for homeschoolers' and 'the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise does not include homeschooled pupils who sat for the PSLE and wish to enter national secondary schools'. Homeschooled pupils are to approach schools directly for admission or approach MOE for assistance in seeking admission to a school with a vacancy.
There are three issues:
First, why is there a different benchmark for homeschoolers in the same PSLE? They should be assessed on equal terms as their mainstream peers. Should there be any moderation, it should be done on an equal basis as all took the same exam and are Singapore citizens.
Second, when we asked MOE if there was a provision to review exam papers, we were told we could apply to have them reviewed by 'an official from the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board'. PSLE papers were marked by this board. Should an independent party not be appointed to review such a major national exam?
Third, there appears to be discrimination against homeschoolers in the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. Mainstream pupils were required to submit their six secondary school choices by last Wednesday. Homeschoolers can submit their three choices via MOE only from Dec 12. MOE will facilitate the admission application to 'a school with vacancies'. This procedure is normally for students who have fared poorly and cannot be admitted to a school of their choice. Therefore, the purpose of a homeschooler getting good grades in the PSLE is undermined.
As a Singapore citizen who made a conscious choice to homeschool his child, I consider these discrepancies tantamount to being treated as a foreigner with no citizenship benefits. George Rocknathan
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>
<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->MY WIFE and I decided to homeschool our son in 2006. The Ministry of Education (MOE) approved this and granted us exemption from compulsory education. MOE told us we would need to track the homeschooling progress of our son and submit to the Compulsory Education Unit a progress report in the first week of December every year until he reached the equivalent of Primary 6 in a national school. He would then sit for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE).
We did as instructed. My son took the PSLE this year and scored an aggregate score of 242. He scored A* in mathematics and science, A in English and B in Chinese as second language. MOE then told us 'there is a different benchmark for homeschoolers' and 'the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise does not include homeschooled pupils who sat for the PSLE and wish to enter national secondary schools'. Homeschooled pupils are to approach schools directly for admission or approach MOE for assistance in seeking admission to a school with a vacancy.
There are three issues:
First, why is there a different benchmark for homeschoolers in the same PSLE? They should be assessed on equal terms as their mainstream peers. Should there be any moderation, it should be done on an equal basis as all took the same exam and are Singapore citizens.
Second, when we asked MOE if there was a provision to review exam papers, we were told we could apply to have them reviewed by 'an official from the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board'. PSLE papers were marked by this board. Should an independent party not be appointed to review such a major national exam?
Third, there appears to be discrimination against homeschoolers in the Secondary 1 Posting Exercise. Mainstream pupils were required to submit their six secondary school choices by last Wednesday. Homeschoolers can submit their three choices via MOE only from Dec 12. MOE will facilitate the admission application to 'a school with vacancies'. This procedure is normally for students who have fared poorly and cannot be admitted to a school of their choice. Therefore, the purpose of a homeschooler getting good grades in the PSLE is undermined.
As a Singapore citizen who made a conscious choice to homeschool his child, I consider these discrepancies tantamount to being treated as a foreigner with no citizenship benefits. George Rocknathan
