(Friday, January 21, 2011 / 10:35 AM)
Title: Parents queue overnight for place on kindergarten waitlist
They queued for hours just to get kids on Nanyang Kindergarten's pre-nursery waitlist for enrolment in 2013.They may be 'kiasu', but they're not afraid to admit it.
Parents queued overnight outside of Nanyang Kindergarten to get their one-year-olds on the waitlist for their pre-nursery enrolment in 2013, reported the Straits Times
Those in the pre-nursery programme when they are three, will continue into the kindergarten programme until they are six.
One big reason for its popularity? The school along Bukit Timah boasts Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his children among its notable alumni.
Another reason is the school's emphasis on the teaching of Chinese language.
A queue started forming at 9pm on Sunday, and by the time registration started yesterday at 7.30am, more than 70 parents were already filing past the school gates, with the $100 administration fee in hand.
There are now more than 100 names on the waiting list, said the school's principal, Magdalene Ang.
According to the Straits Times, registration will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to those whose siblings are current or former pupils, or whose parents were former students of the kindergarten.
But this system is apparently not enough to assure some parents already on the priority list.
One parent whom the Straits Times spoke to, Mr Jason tang, 46, started queuing at 5am because he did not want to take any chances. His elder son, six, is already in Nanyang Kindergarten which would put his second child on the priority list.
The high school fees are not a deterring factor either. According to the report, prices for a 10 week term and pre-nursery in 2009 costs between $1,669.20 and $1,776.20, double what it was before.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------HAFIZAH:...My first thought after reading this article, those parents must be super 'kiasu' and crazy to queue up from the early morning just to get their one-year-olds on the waitlist for their pre-nursery enrolment in 2013 in the kindergarten that has been attended by many important and well respected government alumni. Well for me, they should not do so since there are many other kindergarten that are as good. It does not really matter whether the school has been attended by many smart well-known people but the important thing is that the children themselves are eager to study hard and also their parents encouragement and support for their children's education.
...But after a few thoughts, I thought maybe if I were a parent myself, I would do the same thing like those 'kiasu' parents by queuing up early in the morning in front of the school just to enrol my young children. I would want the best schools for my children to attend and get educated from the best education systems and getting an excellent results for all their examinations. All parents obviously want the best for their children so that they will grow up with a promised successful future. Other people might comment like what I have said previously in my first paragraph, being 'kiasu', but when they are a parent themselves they will understand the situation better.
...In conclusion, as a parent we are willing to sacrifice anything just to make sure our children are receiving the best education so that they will achieve a better future ahead. Singaporeans are well-known for their 'kiasu-ness', but still it is considered typical for us. Other people from different countries always says Singaporeans are 'kiasu', but the truth is that is how Singaporeans like us achieve our goals. We are so 'kiasu' and hardworking in our work just to be able the achieve the best results. All of us are encouraged to study hard to determine a better future ahead.
ALLYSON:...After reading this article, I feel touched by how much the parents care for their children. They do not mind spending hours just queuing in line to sign their kids up and they are also willing to pay the school’s high school fee just to enroll their kids into that particular nursery. This shows that parents love for their children are so strong that money does not matter as much to them.
...I also feel that being 'kiasu’ sometimes can do people some good. For example, those ‘kiasu’ parents queuing up would have a higher possibility of getting their children into the school as compared to those who decided to take their time. As a result, they those who decided to take their time and not be ‘kiasu’ would lose out as the school already stated that registration will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.
...Since the school has made a good name for itself by boasting that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his children was among its notable alumni and their emphasis on the teaching of Chinese language, I can see why the parents want their kids to enroll into that school. The parents wants the best for their children and by enrolling them in this school, they hope that their children would be taught well from the best teachers from a good school and to grow up and be achieving leaders in life, just like Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. After all, if I had children too, I would also want the best for them in life and I’m sure many parents out there would also agree with me on this.
RICHGINIA:...After reading the article, the first thought that comes to my mind is typical Singaporean behavior, “kiasu”. I feel that the parents’ actions are a bit over, queuing for hours just to get kids on to the waiting list. All this hard work might not even be paid off, as they children might not be able to get a vacancy in the school. The kindergarten’s registration is on a first come first serve basic and they have a system where priority are given to those who have siblings that are currently studying in the kindergarten or are former students. However, this system still does not grant assurance to parents who have kids that are current studying in the kindergarten or are former students that their application for their child will be given a vacancy. This shows that no one can be sure that his or her child will be given a vacancy, so why go through all the hardship just to be on a waiting list.
...On the other hand, putting myself into the shoes of a parent, I feel that I would also do the same for my child. All parents would want to give the best to their child, the best toys, the best education and the best future. Hence, they will go all out to give their best, get the best for their child, be it losing face or lowering their pride, they are all willing to do that. I feel that nowadays, children are getting more and more fortunate. They are given almost everything they want and it is the best of all that they want. Hence, I feel that the children should be grateful to their parents when they grow up, they should be filial to their parents to repay their parents.
...In conclusion, I few that we should understand the reason behind people’ action before judging them. Parents may seems “kiasu” but the reason behind is because they want the best for their children, isn’t this touching, giving all out for their children? Hence, we should thinking before we comment on others. I also feel that children should be grateful to their parents for everything that they have now, be it toys or education.
