11 replies to this topic

[AZZKIKR]

Topic. this was for our school debate and our group's stand is tat the motion shuld stand.

My speech-

In Singapore, the GCE O and A level examinations is a critical and vital key to further education. The O levels opens the doors to tertiary institutions like JCs and Polytechnics whereas a good A Level grade is tantamount to a confirmed place in our local universities. Hence, both these national examinations play an essential role in helping all of us land a dream job in the future. Such essential components of our educational system should be tweaked in order to suit our future needs better.

Thus, I strongly insist that the motion “This house believes that GCE O and A level examinations should be replaced by national exams which are set and marked locally” should stand.

A little known fact is that while Singaporean students sit for the O levels after 4 years of secondary education, the students in Britain actually have 5. The luxury of an extra year allows the imparting of educational concepts at a more relaxed pace. Thus, we are instead learning the same syllabus albeit in a shorter time. By substituting the exams with locally marked and set papers, the syllabus can be trimmed or elongated to fit our own Singaporean contexts and standards. We do not need to learn in Singapore and yet be examined by a nation that is thousands of miles away. The format of each paper can also be altered or added to, to suit our purposes. This will ensure that each and every student is being tested, exactly how he/she is taught.

Time is precious. Time can NEVER repeat itself. By maintaining the setting and marking of our O and A Levels at Cambridge, we are wasting precious time in the process of sitting for the paper, marking the paper and receiving the results of the paper.

Considering our O and A level examinations held approximately in November each year, the results only reach us and are released approximately March of the next year. This means there is a 4 month time lag. However, if Singapore is the centre for marking and setting, a paper written in November can translate to a release of the results by the end of December. My 3rd speaker farhanah will elaborate more on this topic.

An article in THE SUNDAY TIMES noted a report stating that the British also want the A-level exams replaced. As quoted in the press release article concerning the report, “This means that Singapore students offer a set of examination papers which meet A-level standards but are separate and different from those offered by students in the UK”. Think about it, although we are learning the same things, we are actually employing what we learnt differently.
Why the confusion? Why the discrepancy? I am sure that the Singapore brand name is as globally recognized as the Cambridge name. Let us decide for ourselves what suits our academic arena best. Let us appreciate the massive time savings we can accrue through marking and setting our national exams locally. Let us be proud that the Singapore name is comparable with Cambridge name. Let us be proud of our independence from the British. Let us be proud of our standards and not condemn it.

Thank you.

[Dauth]

Good speech, well rounded and presented.

We have already replaced our A-Levels with AS and A2 levels (something I think is very wrong to have done).

You missed the big advantage of using the British system and thats the recognition, everyone recognises GCSE's and A levels (O-level is an outdated term), but a Singaporean diploma or other such qualification would make getting jobs harder, especially for Singporean immigrants into the UK.

I have examples where new names and qualifications are regarded as lower. A manager I know refers to the National Vocational Qualification and the General National Vocational Qualification. As Not Very Qualified and Generally Not Very Qualified.

[AZZKIKR]

too bad my debate's over, and that is against us.

[Ion Cannon!]

We may have 5 years before GCSE's But they're so easy it could be condensed into 3 or 4 were it not for idiots. Generally if a GCSE lesson is 1 hour long. You get 30mins of work done. The marking lag is the same for us as well. I sit exams in may and don't get the results back until august.

I also agree with dauth with the whole AS A2 thing. You have exams pretty constantly. It really sucks and with that on top of coursework its not fun. I have 3 exams after christmas both this year and last and 6-8 exams in may/june both this year and last..

I also like the point about the GNVQ's because its pretty true. I did a GNVQ in ICT for GCSE and it was just ridiculously easy. You didn't learn a thing. All you did was create spreadsheets and presentations /snore.

[Razven]

I personally think that the GCSE's although still widely excepted and recognized world-wide, is becoming slowly outdated as their relationship to real life skills decrease, both vocationally and in the way that knowledge is taken in.

I did my GCSEs over a two year period and I have learned absolutely nothing from it, although I did get passable marks for almost everything that I paid attention to without studying all that much.

Personally not having done A-levels, A2 and only one language related AS exam, I cannot comment on it, although it seems to be ridiculously easy when compared to the International Baccalaureate.

[Wizard]

A nicely written speech Azz but there is one thing I am not sure about....

AZZKIKR, on 29 Jan 2008, 8:53, said:

Let us be proud that the Singapore name is comparable with Cambridge name

Cambridge is a university and I very much doubt that a GCE from a Singapore school could be compared to a Cambridge degree, nor would it be equally recognised on a global scale.

However, I would agree that your argument is very sound. You should have local exams and standards, not the ones from miles away. Our change in cirriculum is comical to say the least. Even degrees don't mean what they used to now "anyone" can go to uni. They should be for those with the highest levels of attainment, which is even more laughable since secondary and A(rse) levels are reportedly getting easier by the day.

[Ion Cannon!]

The thing with A levels is depending on what subject you do it can be hard or easy. Chemistry + Physics A levels are still very hard. But an increasing number of less able students take A levels like sociology or music tech or media studies. Which are easy. My chemistry teacher is always going on about how they shouldn't be counted as A levels. The thing is though. If you get an A or B in A level chemistry its recognised. If its an A in sociology. Nobody really gives a crap.

[Dauth]

Can I just say, the Physics A Level is by far to low in Maths for a Physics Degree to follow it.

[smooder]

Ion Cannon!, on 29 Jan 2008, 15:36, said:

The thing with A levels is depending on what subject you do it can be hard or easy. Chemistry + Physics A levels are still very hard. But an increasing number of less able students take A levels like sociology or music tech or media studies. Which are easy. My chemistry teacher is always going on about how they shouldn't be counted as A levels. The thing is though. If you get an A or B in A level chemistry its recognised. If its an A in sociology. Nobody really gives a crap.

Thats a perfect example of narrowmindedness. I really doubt your teacher wanted to do sociology because they are not personally interested. Thats not to see they are easier. And if they are easy, then certain a levels should not be easier than others. The system is fucked.

[Dauth]

Even the phone company (British Telecom) take the piss out of sociology. The fundamental rule used to indentify countries I intend to visit, does the media call it 'democratic' or 'republic'? If so it certaintly isn't. Also applies to sciences, social sciences.

Unless you're doing political/group theory sociology isn't a science, it's employing people for the sake of figures. Tbh tho the entire A level system is fubar atm. It is possible to get an A in any given subject while only achiving a B avergae for the second year, the hard year.

[Ion Cannon!]

Yes, the disparity between the AS year and the A2 year is a bit extreme. I did AS physics only and absolutely hated it. So I can't comment on A2 physics. And no im not being narrowminded at all. Some A levels are much harder than others.

[Corrino and the Maiden]

I beleive that Australia uses the SC and HSC instead of the GCE, which personally I think is better. I think it was foolish for britian to go from the SC & HSC to the GCE. Thats just my opinion. Hell when I did school I cant even remember what form of test I did, it was not the SC or the HSC, nor the 500 exam, but the one before that. Its just when you have done something like 1000 tests you forget the older ones