Education in Singapore

Singapore has long established itself as an Education hub in Asia. Singapore schools are recognised internationally, and students have aspirations for high levels of achievements. Below is a simplified diagram showing the education progression path.

After secondary education, some students may enter Institute of Technical Education (ITE). Qualified students may opt to study in polytechnics, Junior Colleges and Centralised Institutes (CI).Institute of Technical Education (ITE) – A post secondary-school institution that provides pre-employment training to secondary school leavers and continuing education and training to working adults.Polytechnics – Polytechnics were set up with the mission to train middle-level professionals to support the technological and economic development of Singapore. There are currently 5 polytechnics in Singapore.

Junior College and Centralised Institute (CI) – The 2-3 years course in Junior Colleges and Centralised Institutes help to prepare students for university education.Students will receive a school graduation certificate after GCE ‘A’ examination.

University – Singpore Universities are highly reputable and recognised worldwide. There are 3 universities now: National University of Singapore (NUS), Nanyang Technological University (NTU) and Singapore Management University (SMU). The 3 universities offer wide range of courses as well as non academic activities.

Is Homeschooling As Good As Public School?

This is actually one question that I am not commonly asked, probably because most people know I will give them a very biased answer. But I know it is the NUMBER ONE question that will keep the majority of our population from homeschooling!

It’s also a question that you might not think you need to grapple with because, “Hey, I’ve already taken my child(ren) out of public school and KNOW that’s not where I want them to be! But chances are quite good that even though YOU have come out of public school, the public school mindset has not come out of you!

 

Here’s how one mom put it for her particular situation: “I’ve been trying to decide if I want to homeschool my daughter starting in the eleventh grade, or just let her finish in public school.” Or more simply put, and all age-encompassing: “Can I possibly do as good a job of educating my child as the public school?”

Oh my! (And here comes my bias…) I have to turn that around and ask: “How in the world could PUBLIC schooling even come close to homeschooling?!? … As for younger children, my blanket answer is “It can’t!!!” As for an older child, if they are willing to homeschool, I would consider it a tremendous blessing to get to have the last two years of high school to have with them and for them to experience a much great(er) amount of freedom and creativity in their education! Freedom to follow God’s path for the formation of their life, character, and values, and the direction and honing of their interests and talents!

So why is it so important to have this question settled once and for all in your mind and heart? Because, if you do NOT settle it, and get God’s perspective on it, you WILL follow the world’s way of supposedly educating your children. Here is what John Taylor Gatto, New York State’s “Teacher of the Year” in 1992 said about this:

 

“I’ve come to believe that genius is an exceedingly common human quality, probably natural to most of us… I began to wonder, reluctantly, whether it was possible that being in school itself was what was dumbing them down. Was it possible I had been hired not to enlarge children’s power, but to diminish it? That seemed crazy on the face of it, but slowly I began to realize that the bells and the confinement, the crazy sequences, the age-segregation, the lack of privacy, the constant surveillance, and all the rest of national curriculum of schooling were designed exactly as if someone had set out to prevent children from learning how to think and act, to coax them into addiction and dependent behavior.”

And yet, thousands of homeschooling parents are spending literally thousands of dollars attempting to imitate and bring that same system right into their homes! ~ and cram it down their children’s throats for 5 to 7 hours a day, thinking they are doing their children a favor!

There are many articles in the “Homeschooling Basics” section of my Article Chart that will give you many good reasons for why homeschooling is superior to public or private school. Or maybe I should say “can be superior”, because it isn’t automatic. But I hesitate to even say that because you have to define “superior” before you can understand what I mean by that. And to understand the adjective ~ superior ~ you have to first know what it’s describing: in this case, “education.” That’s what my “Season of Re-education and Renewing of the Mind” is all about. We naturally have a preconceived idea about what “education” is, and as long as we think it’s the same thing as “school at home” we will strive for the wrong thing, and waste a lot of time, money and love of learning in the process. So begin by reading all the articles here at my Article Chart, and you start getting an idea of what my views on this are!

As a homeschooling mom for 17 years now (we homeschooled our oldest two from kindergarten through graduation, and still have a 13-year-old we’re homeschooling), I was/am a pioneer in the homeschooling movement ~ through no intent or effort of my own! Almost no one else was doing it back then, so I really had no choice! But no one called us “pioneers” back then! Words such as “strange,” “weird,” and “off your rocker” come to mind.

But I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world! In fact, you couldn’t pay me enough, even in private school tuition, to do it any other way! The fruit that has come in our relationships and in their lives and hearts is soooo good and soooo precious!!! It’s PRICELESS!

If your kids are at all hesitant (and even if they aren’t), you will all enjoy the letter our daughter, Sharnessa, wrote to a boy who did NOT want to be homeschooled anymore. Their family did not have a good experience until the Mom came across my book, but by that time the boy was already very soured and burned out, and didn’t think it could be any better.

While I have several books available to you, please know that my heart is not to “sell”!!! Other than “sell” YOU on your own ability ~ and God-given responsibility, and therefore He will emPOWER you to do what He calls you to do ~ to truly educate your children! My heart is to get people onto a path of homeschooling that will yield all the wonderful blessings God intends for them to have, but that soooo many miss because they have not renewed their minds to what HIS idea of “education” is! This is going to take some time and some doing because of how entrenched our culture is in the school system. We just assume it is right! I mean, after all, these teachers have been to TEACHER SCHOOL for FIVE years, right?!?!?! Yes, they have, and that’s actually most of the problem! Here’s another thought-provoking tid-bit from Mr. Gatto:

 

“Its absurd and anti-life to be part of a system that compels you to sit in confinement with people of exactly the same age and social class. That system effectively cuts you off from the immense diversity of life and the synergy of variety; indeed it cuts you off from your own past and future, sealing you in a continuous present much the same way television does… “…If were going to change whats rapidly becoming a disaster of ignorance, we need to realize that the school institution “schools” very well, though it does not “educate”; thats inherent in the design of the thing. Its not the fault of bad teachers or too little money spent. Its just impossible for education and schooling ever to be the same thing.”

I would have given anything to have had this wisdom available back when I was first needing to get a new mindset in this area, but most of them weren’t even written! Mr. Gatto was named New York State Teacher of the Year in 1992; I started homeschooling in 1982!!! So it took me a lot longer and a lot more struggling to figure it all out. (And THAT is why we now sell these books! Many are “off the beaten trail” and not commonly available in bookstores or libraries.)

But I had Jesus, and I’m still amazed at how He was able to lead me through and out of my wrong thinking, and into freedom! Jesus’ burden is easy; His yoke is light. If we want to experience His blessings, we have to allow Him to lead us in HIS ways, and that includes homeschooling and how we approach it as much as anything in our lives! There’s no “one right way” to do it. He is a very creative God, and each person and family is unique. That’s why His plan for each family is also unique! That is what I want to help you find and walk in!

Dog Information – What You Need To Know About Dog Food

Just as certain foods can harm the health of human beings, in the same way there are certain foods which can be dangerous to the health of dogs. Thanks to educated dog owners, others have realized that dogs require special foods. Veterinary doctors warn that some foods can even paralyze your dog within no time. People in every part of the world love dogs.Dogs are very intelligent and smart creatures. For a long time, dogs have been regarded as the best pets in many cultures. Happiness is not the only reason that dogs are reared as pets, they are kept in military organizations also. Special breed of dogs are seen in bomb detecting squads. To live without dogs is regarded almost as an incomplete life.On entering a pet shop, one finds many, many brands of dog food. Selecting the finest is therefore not all that simple. Superior canine food products are widely accessible. Your TV presents you with loads of ads for different dog foods. If you are not properly armed with enough dog information, you’ll have a very hard time picking the proper item.

There are numerous companies who specialize in manufacturing dog food, but only a few companies can be depended on. Nobody would desire to take a risk regarding dog food. It cannot be expressed in words as to the importance of giving a balanced diet to the dog. Unlike human beings, dogs are unable to digest oily foods, which can cause harm to its health.

The World Wide Web abounds in information related to ‘dog food’. There are many online forums which provide valuable ‘dog information’. A good dog food must be rich in ‘Probiotics’. You must never make the mistake of giving foods like cooked bones, tomatoes and other fried foods. These days, the concept of organic dog food is gaining popularity everywhere.

Like all pet owners, you want your dog to be healthy, so the first thing you need to do is learn about the nutritional requirements of your particular dog. There are many magazines that cover dog information, including information on dog food and nutrition. All dog foods are not created equal. Some brands, for example, Canidae dog food, provide the essential nutrition your dog needs to be healthy.

Dog owners consider their pet to be a member of the family that is why it is important to gather all the dog information available regarding the health of your dog. Magazines, your vet or the internet are good sources of this information. Food plays an important part in your dog’s overall health. There are so many different foods available today but you must pick the best, such as organic dog food. Some ingredients should be avoided, as they are not very digestible for your dog. Premium dog food such as Canidae dog food has all the required nutrients to keep your dog healthy.

Six Things to Know Before Training Your Dog

In order to train your dog perfectly, you need to know him well ‘ his needs, behavior, as well as moods. If you comprehend clearly the ‘world’ of the Dog you will be able to train him perfectly –draw on his strengths and work on his weaknesses. As you know, dogs including have descended from animals that lived in packs and their everyday instincts are based on that social structure. You need to learn about these inborn behavioral trends so you can use this knowledge to train your dog.
‘Dominance and Hierarchy
Most dogs respond well to leadership or in the absence of a good leader, they will try and be the leader. In packs it is the leader or Alpha who decides on the actions of the family/group. Such as who will eat first, where to go, what to do, and so
on. So, in the ‘home’ in our domesticated lives, the pack for your dog is you and your family. In order for life to be smooth you must assume the role of alpha.

So, if your dog is leading you on a merry dance, guess who the boss is’ And, with your dog you need to establish your position and earn their respect if you want to successfully train them. Being alpha will enable you, to control your dog and instill good behavior. If you oscillate in your behavior or contantly change your position in your pack, ie sometimes the boss, while at other times your’e the slave, your dog will become very confused, and behave accordingly.

‘Aggression:
This is a behavior that is deeply ingrained in the dog. In packs, animals establish territories and defend them with zeal.
This instinct is what makes your dog snappy and nippy. Any person, animal, or child that is seen as a threat is nipped. Always keep a watchful eye.

‘Food Protection:
Many animals, will guard food. And when they feel any threat they will bark/bite. This is not to be encouraged. Food training is a must.

‘Running away:
Many animals run away from danger. You may find that your dog also takes flight. Make him feel safe, protect him from the ‘demons,’ help him overcome his fears. If you train your dog to be obedient you will not have to worry about ‘running away’ he will happily, maintain a ’sit’ or ’stay.’

Socialization:

Since dogs live in packs in the wild they are never alone /lonely. Similarly, your dog cannot be left alone for long hours’he will become bored, unhappy, depressed, and chew things or trail toilet paper all over the house or bring the sheets down or
tumble the wash — anything that will draw your attention.

‘Vocalization:
Animals in the wild communicate using different sounds. So barking is the way your dog communicates with you. Beware, some dogs are incessant barkers and could become a nuisance. You must teach ’stop’ or ‘no bark.’
So, if you understand ‘why’ then you can do the needful.

Formulating a learning plan
Today there are tests that can be done that evaluate accurately the willingness of a dog to learn.

The test indicates:
‘The dog’s ability to accept domination.
‘The dog’s response to unfamiliar noise.
‘The curiosity present.
‘The dog’s fear level.
‘The ability to fetch/retrieve.
‘Stamina and motivation level.

The evaluation will help you in the learning plan that you formulate for your dog.
Whether you are a first time dog owner or a seasoned veteran, your learning never stops as far as it comes to training your dog. Each and every dog presents different training challenges, and the more equipped you are to handle these training issues
the more likely you are to prevent any permanent and long term future behavioral problems.

How to Be a Stay-at-Home Mom Without Losing Your Job

We live in a society in which a woman’s value is often determined by her contributions to society. Increasingly, a woman who chooses to stay at home with her children, rather than working a job outside of the home, is confronted with a feeling of worthlessness. This feeling is magnified by the fact that more women are developing careers of their own prior to having children. By the time a woman makes the switch from full-time employee to full-time mommy, she has already been conditioned to measure her self-worth in terms of her financial contributions to her family as well as by her professional accomplishments. Realize your worth. Take mental note of what you do each day. You are a laundress, a maid, an accountant, a child-care provider, a nutritionist, a nurse, a cook and a master organizer. You do not get guaranteed lunch breaks, paid time off or sick leave. You work around the clock rain or shine without financial compensation. Keep in mind that you are not lazy if you stay home to take care of your children. You do not need to give your husband a list of all of the things you accomplished during the day in order to prove that you are working hard. The compulsion to account for what you spend your time on is instilled in women who are used to working jobs outside of the home. Refuse to give in to this desire. You are worth more as a stay at home mother than you could ever

How to make children happy ?

 

Kids need to play and they need to learn patience, but they cannot have everything they want. It is part of growing up and will build up their character. Children learn from observing, if you show them you are happy in your life and that they should live their lives with the happiness that comes from within, they will be happy – you can not brighten the lives of others, if you don’t have a light of your own. If the children sad, you can find out what her interests are and do something revolving around that…just let her know you are there for her and you care for her…listen when she is talking, she is probably sad for a reason and as she starts to trust you she might let you in on what has her so down.