Below is the reproduction of a letter titled "Returning Singaporean students need more help" published on the forum page of The Straits Times, January 26, 2013:
WE ARE a Singaporean family who have lived overseas for the past 12 years and have just returned to Singapore.
My 14-year-old son managed to enrol in a four-year Integrated Programme at a school here.
Upon enrolment, we realised that the school offers Chinese only as a first language and not as a second language.
As my son has been studying at international schools since he was young, Chinese as a first language is too difficult for him at this point in time.
It seems that we have no choice but to apply for him to be exempted from learning the language.
The school provides bridging classes for students from China who are weak in English, with resources from the Education Ministry.
But the ministry does not provide the same type of bridging classes for returning Singaporean students, to fast-track their learning of the Chinese language.
My son is not the only student in this position in the school.
The Government has been encouraging Singaporeans to return home to contribute to the country. It has also placed emphasis on the importance of the Chinese language.
However, the Education Ministry is not providing enough support to help returning Singaporeans cope with the learning of the language.
We know of many returning Singaporeans who have had to apply for their children to be exempted from learning the Chinese language. But doing so would disadvantage the children in the long run.
The ministry should review related programmes and provide the necessary resources and support to help returning Singaporean students cope with the learning of the Chinese language.
Neo Seok Kian (Ms)
WE ARE a Singaporean family who have lived overseas for the past 12 years and have just returned to Singapore.
My 14-year-old son managed to enrol in a four-year Integrated Programme at a school here.
Upon enrolment, we realised that the school offers Chinese only as a first language and not as a second language.
As my son has been studying at international schools since he was young, Chinese as a first language is too difficult for him at this point in time.
It seems that we have no choice but to apply for him to be exempted from learning the language.
The school provides bridging classes for students from China who are weak in English, with resources from the Education Ministry.
But the ministry does not provide the same type of bridging classes for returning Singaporean students, to fast-track their learning of the Chinese language.
My son is not the only student in this position in the school.
The Government has been encouraging Singaporeans to return home to contribute to the country. It has also placed emphasis on the importance of the Chinese language.
However, the Education Ministry is not providing enough support to help returning Singaporeans cope with the learning of the language.
We know of many returning Singaporeans who have had to apply for their children to be exempted from learning the Chinese language. But doing so would disadvantage the children in the long run.
The ministry should review related programmes and provide the necessary resources and support to help returning Singaporean students cope with the learning of the Chinese language.
Neo Seok Kian (Ms)
