The Dark Shadow Shrine

embrace the darkness; that you may see the light nestled within it......

Monday, July 25, 2016

Relocate top primary schools for more equal access: Study

Click HERE

Top primary schools tend to have students who are children from their alumni since they have priority in registration.....and if we go by the MOE proximity criterion of one-km radius from the school, again it is the rich who benefit as the top primary schools are located in districts where the rich live, eg Bt Timah, Siglap, Holland Village.....Even if the schs are located in not so exclusive district, the rich have the buying power to purchase houses near there, and developers are quick to build condos and houses near these schools, given these sch's attraction which will translate into demand for the real estate in those areas....
Secondary schools and JC  admission is supposed to be fairer since it's based on grades, but once again, the better-off students in the top pri sch will benefit from the better resources of their pri schs and hence have better PSLE grades.....some branded pri schs have affiliation with top sec schs and JCs too (e.g. ACS Pri), hence enjoy additional cut-off points that give them an easier entry to top sec schs and JCs.....they will go on to get better grades and go to better unis and then have better jobs and then the cycle repeats itself as their children will now get into the same top pri schs cos their parents are the alumni or that their parents will be able to relocate to near top pri schs (better jobs means more money means rich means can relocate to wherever they want) and the cycle repeats itself....
[Note that I'm babbling here, so the LONG sentences...you are not to write like this in ur exams....)

This is the reason why meritocracy has not led to greater equality in Singapore in recent years (recall: RI is now a middle class school, i.e. few or no low income students) and why education has not led to the alleviation of poverty for those in the low income groups.....

For qns on equality, meritocracy, diversity, education....

Qns:
1. In your society, how far is equality for all a reality? (Cam. 2012)
2. To what extent is education a great leveller in your society?