We Care Tuition Agency has proper Tutor Screening Procedures
In light of the misconduct of a private tutor highlighted in the Straits Times (see article below), we would like to share some tips on how you can prevent yourself or your children from becoming a victim.
Firstly, avoid engaging tutors from unknown backgrounds or from unlicensed tuition agencies. Always check with your friends about the background of the tutors they refer to you. Always check with tuition coordinators to ensure that they come from licensed tuition agencies. Most tuition agencies websites have their business registration number at the bottom of their pages. Getting a tutor from a registered tuition agency ensures that there is accountability.
Secondly, as what We Care Tuition Agency always encourages parents to do, parents should interact with the tutor before or after each tuition lesson. This will allow parents to have better understanding of the weakness and strengths of their children academically. Tutors will know that they are accountable to the parents.
Thirdly, try to arrange the tuition lessons to be conducted in a more open area. While studying in the closed-door room might be quiet and more conducive for studying, it might sometimes be unwise especially if you do not know the background of the tutor and when your children are still young.
Straits Times
October 24, 2008
Tutor Charged with Oral Sex
A PRIVATE tutor was charged in a district court on Friday for forcing a nine-year-old boy to perform oral sex on him.
Cheong Boon Khing Douglas, 36, had allegedly made the boy perform the act on a number of occasions from mid-February to early May, according to court documents.
He is out on bail and is due to appear in court again on Nov 13.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_294386.html?vgnmr=1
Labels: Tuition Agency, Tutors
Adopting the Kaizen Approach in Lifelong Education
I recently came across a Japanese philosophy that embodies the essence of Lifelong learning and education.
Kaizen (改善, improvement) is a philosophy that focuses on continuous improvement throughout all aspects of life. It was implemented during the post-WWII era by Japanese companies. Within a few decades, Japan rose to become an economic power.
The cycle of kaizen activity can be defined as:
- standardize an operation
- measure the standardized operation (find cycle time and amount of in-process inventory)
- gauge measurements against requirements
- innovate to meet requirements and increase productivity
- standardize the new, improved operations
- continue cycle ad infinitum.
We can apply the concept of Kaizen to our daily learning.
- Setting standards for your learning
- Measure your progress
- Find out how you can apply your knowledge
- Be creative and ask questions! Be creative to derive new and better learning methods
- Set new goals
- Repeat the whole process again
Learning definitely doesn't cease after school days. Embrace the joy of learning!
Labels: Improvement, Kaizen, Lifelong Learning
Should Schools spend on Renovation and Repainting?
A conducive environment is important for studying. But what is the extent to which the hefty spending on beautifying schools can be justified?
The Ministry of Education, Singapore has an ongoing programme called Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing Schools (PRIME) Launched in 1999, the primary purpose was to "to ensure that all students have access to facilities that can support a wide range of educational programmes."
Recently I had a conversation with a student who graduated from a Secondary school in Sengkang. Her school was new (younger than 7 years old) but had been repainted several times. She noticed that the repainting was done when the surrounding HDB flats were repainted.
I had also heard comments that physical beauty of the school is a good testimonial of the school and a good showcase. The experience of a visitor would cast a good impression. Grades and Discipline of students, shaft it aside and we'll talk about it another day.
Which leaves one to ponder how much aesthetics matter upon education?
Reference:
http://www.moe.gov.sg/initiatives/prime/
Labels: Schools
Teacher Biasness
Erik M. DellUnfortunately teachers can become biased as the school semester drags along. Certain students became hard to deal with while others are accepting of the challenge and excited to be in school. You don't want to be biased but then again you want someone to get excited about what you are teaching. You want class participation, you want enthusiasm.
Teachers have a hard job and they are frequently underpaid then they are asked to deal with all sorts of problems while they are trying hard to treat the other 20 kids equally. In the end the teacher must be hard on themselves and cognizant of their effect on students from their biasness.
Students can become more alienated from the class if they feel the teacher is shunning them. Conversely the favored student can grow with this newfound attention. That may seem like a good thing but lets not forget there are many other kids in class, each of them deserving of the attention and time of the teacher. Biased teachers can have a huge impact on the development of a student through high school even affecting his future education goals.
Labels: Students, Teachers
We Care Tuition Agency is now in FaceBook!
Yes, the title says it all.
We Care Tuition Agency is now in FaceBook! This means that you can now poke and add We Care Tuition Agency as a friend in cyberspace.
You might have noticed this label at our
Tuition Agency Home Page. By clicking on it, you can enter We Care Tuition Agency FaceBook profile page.
Labels: Students, Tuition Agency, Tutors
Fourth Singapore university should cap intake at 2,500, says study
The next Singapore university should be a publicly-funded institution offering disciplines such as Design and Architecture, Engineering and Applied Sciences, and Business and Information Technology, with an integrated approach centred on these disciplines.
This was the recommendation made by the Committee on the Expansion of the University Sector in a preliminary report released on Tuesday.
The committee also proposed that the fourth local university should set an annual intake of about 2,000–2,500 students and provide the bulk of the additional university places required to achieve the target 30 per cent cohort participation rate outlined by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong at the 2007 National Day Rally.
While recognising the progress made by Singapore's existing universities, the committee - which began studying the education landscape last September - asked that consideration be given to the introduction of a liberal arts education in Singapore.
Since the the National University of Singapore (NUS) has already proposed the setting up of a liberal arts college (LAC) as an autonomous institution under the NUS umbrella, the committee recommended a deeper study of issues relating to the LAC, such as a possible partnership and funding model.
In addition, the committee said there is scope to offer students more opportunities to pursue degrees in niche areas currently not offered as publicly-funded degree programmes.
This, it said in its report, will complement the demand in strategic sectors of the economy, and the committee encouraged local polytechnics to explore more tie-ups with specialised institutions for niche degree programmes.
It added that the number of places available through such tie-ups could grow beyond the current target of 460 by 2010 to 700 in the longer term.
The committee, which will submit its final report to the government next month, has also recommended public funding for a limited number of students taking up bachelor degree programmes in high-quality independent degree-awarding institutions in Singapore, such as those brought in by the Economic Development Board under its Global Schoolhouse Initiative. - CNA/sf
Adopted from: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/356087/1/.html
Labels: News, Students, University
Deriving the Passion in Studying
Half of 2008 has passed. It is now time to reflect on the goals and aspirations you have set for the year. To achieve good grades, it would be taxing for you if you study for the sake of studying. Deriving a passion in studying is thus important for students so that learning can be an enjoyable and fruitful journey.
Asking "WHY" is a good way to help start the process in deriving your passion towards anything. The usual reply to that is that studying could provide you with a good qualification which could translate into a high-paying job. Look beyond materialism. Studying could also provide you with more knowledge, to appreciate life, etc. Having a strong "WHY" would motivate you to study.
A conducive environment helps when you are doing your assignments or revising your work. Some would prefer soft music, rock music or no music at all. Some would prefer doing it alone and some would prefer studying in groups. This varies from person to person. Optimise your studies by selecting the right kind of environment that suits you.
Study and Play Hard. Words of the old adage. Well, leisure time is crucial for you to relax and get off studies from time to time. Spending time with your family is a good way to relax yourself. Get encouraged by your parents and share your stories with them.
Labels: Passion, Students
