MM Lee says entry into secondary schools based on performance
Lee Kuan Yew is back in action, once again trotting out his mistaken conviction that bilingualism is impossible. CNA, with video:
Mr Lee said: “The difference really is in the quality of the students, their background. At the primary stage, the choice is not chosen in a uniformed way. If you have a brother there, or a sister there, if your father or mother is an … alumnus, and so on – so it’s not meritocratic.
“It’s based on the social class of the parents, for they went into the better schools. Important thing is that at Primary 6, there should be a sorting out, and those who miss going to the good schools should get into the better schools, better secondary schools.”
Mr Lee added that getting into a better secondary school is based on a student’s performance, and not his family’s background.
Language ability was one key area that Minister Mentor Lee was especially concerned about. During his visit, he took the opportunity to ask students about the languages spoken at home.
He said: “It will show up in the fluency of the student in that language. If you are speaking Chinese at home, you will be fluent in Chinese… If you are speaking English at home, you will be fluent in English.
“So the ideal will be to have 70 per cent English and 30 per cent Mother Tongue, which is the division in time, classroom time at the primary level. But at the secondary level, it’s 80 per cent English and 20 per cent Mother Tongue.
“That’s inevitable because you must master one language well to which you absorb knowledge, you read, you write, you listen, and you cannot be good at both languages. Not possible to be equally good.”
About a year ago, Mr Lee had said his insistence on bilingualism in the early years was “wrong”. But he also emphasised that students should be helped to master their Mother Tongue in a “fun” way.
Filed under: Event, Television | 7 Comments
Tags: bilingualism, lee kuan yew, meritocracy, mother language, schools
Did i read correctly,did he just said and i quote ” If you have a brother there, or a sister there, if your father or mother is an … alumnus, and so on – so it’s NOT meritocratic. ”
and quote “It’s based on the SOCIAL CLASS of the parents, for they went into the better schools. Important thing is that at Primary 6, there should be a sorting out, and those who MISS going to the GOOD schools should get into the BETTER schools, BETTER secondary schools.”
all these years and all these talks about sgp being a meritocracy all a lie afterall!!
proven by the old man himself *clap*clap*clap*clap*
with age,we have come to realised bit by bit how he is contradictiing himself and his so call “policies for the grater good”
yeah old fart lee,you are slowly revealing your true colors to the ppl.nice going by the way!
Any parent with a primary 4 ,5 and 6 is struggling with tuition, the industry is so huge, why? Cos schools teach on 80% of what they examine. It’s a total failure, so if u don’t have the money to hire good teachers even a smart student will hit 60 to 70 %. So Mr Lee, you don’t really know what is going on man, you re out! You dun know what’s happening anymore. So when a parent like me reads what yu have to say, we instantly react with disappointment on your connectedness with the ground. Can’t blame you with your civil servant all lying to you with halftruths and your rc members lying to you to curry your flavor.
Will Somebody just print out a hundred copies of this post and distribute at the bus stops every day at TP constituency .
@lee fuck yew
I assume that this is part of your earlier tirade about ‘equal education’. So…. How do you suppose we choose, based solely on meritocracy, the entry requirements for a primary school? Shall we implement a kindergarten leaving examination?
Please. True equality is just a dream. Contradiction? I see none. The education system in Singapore is as meritorious as any, more so than most.
The one I’m really interested in knowing about the Singaporean education system is how the government is going to justify their claims that the system is secular, when it so obviously is not.
@Googoobird
Erm…. Yeah…. Already done. There’s something called the newspaper?
@ count
you missed my point again i see.
i am not advocating an utopian’s system of fair education.what i am advocating an ideal that should be based on correct values and ethics for future generation to work towards and aspire to.not the farce about the illusion that is meritocracy and that all is equally given the chance when such granduer of claims have not been put into action.
that term was coined as a means to justify the crown prince’s ascension to the throne. (:
And you missed MY point. How will you implement said system? Examinations for kindergarten students?
To be honest, I do not think Mr Lee Hsien Loong is really that good either. Or perhaps, he doesn’t show it. Which isn’t really that smart from a political standpoint either. Oh well. Lets see whos next. He isn’t doing a bad job. Just not that good a job.
Do i look like i am paid millions to solve their educational goof ups?
I have an idea which i think is good,you may think otherwise,its up to those million dollar salary white elephants to think of a plan to implement this system not me.
and the current system is full of elitism bs disguised as meritocary.
as for crown prince himself,you have seen for yourself.i shall not say more.
however it would be interesting to see who the next seat warmer will be.
You claim to love your country, and then you leave it to ministers whom you claim are inept to rule said state? Just because you are not the minister in charge, you can’t be bothered to think of alternatives? What a common, pathetic excuse.
I have a better idea. Why don’t you outline this ‘good idea’ of yours instead of hiding behind excuses? Or do you doubt the feasability of your own idea? If so, then I giess its not that good of an idea then.