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Parents: Scrap volunteer scheme for P1 registration
If MOE scrap the parent volunteer scheme, then MOE will be 'short of manpower' and need to hire more FTs!
Parents feel that the volunteer scheme in the primary one registration process should go.
In a radio survey carried out by Lianhe Wanbao on radio FM100.3, most listeners feel that the government should scrap the parent volunteer scheme.
According to Lianhe Wanbao, a listener shared that young couples already face a lot of pressures due to the high cost of living.
"Young couples have to work and take care of their children at the same time, how will they find time to volunteer in schools?" the listener exclaimed.
Other parents also expressed that the primary one registration scheme consists of too many steps and is simply too tedious.
This comes after the education ministry revealed that it is studying how to improve the scheme.
The scheme has so far drawn a multitude of complaints, with parents criticising that those with connections to the school get too much priority.
According to The Straits Times, many also complained that there are often more applicants than available places in later stages of the registration.
Nearly half of the 173 primary schools here had to hold ballots last year and a number of children did not manage to get into schools near their homes.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) website states that the current primary one registration scheme consists of six phases and gives priority to children whose parents have connections to the school.
According to the website, those who put in at least 40 hours of voluntary work for the school in the Parent Volunteer Scheme can join phase 2B of the registration, a phase with priority over those with no connections.
However, there is no guarantee that the child of the parent volunteer will get a place in the school after putting in the hours of voluntary work.
Parent volunteers shared with inSing editors the odd jobs they may get posted to do.
Some have been asked to direct traffic or to be ushers at school events.
They will also be asked to take part in the school's fund raising activities by manning booths, helping to sell items, or to sponsor items and food for these activities.
If parent volunteers have special skills, such as in performing arts or sports, they may also be asked to take on student groups to coach them in these skills.
If MOE scrap the parent volunteer scheme, then MOE will be 'short of manpower' and need to hire more FTs!

Parents feel that the volunteer scheme in the primary one registration process should go.
In a radio survey carried out by Lianhe Wanbao on radio FM100.3, most listeners feel that the government should scrap the parent volunteer scheme.
According to Lianhe Wanbao, a listener shared that young couples already face a lot of pressures due to the high cost of living.
"Young couples have to work and take care of their children at the same time, how will they find time to volunteer in schools?" the listener exclaimed.
Other parents also expressed that the primary one registration scheme consists of too many steps and is simply too tedious.
This comes after the education ministry revealed that it is studying how to improve the scheme.
The scheme has so far drawn a multitude of complaints, with parents criticising that those with connections to the school get too much priority.
According to The Straits Times, many also complained that there are often more applicants than available places in later stages of the registration.
Nearly half of the 173 primary schools here had to hold ballots last year and a number of children did not manage to get into schools near their homes.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) website states that the current primary one registration scheme consists of six phases and gives priority to children whose parents have connections to the school.
According to the website, those who put in at least 40 hours of voluntary work for the school in the Parent Volunteer Scheme can join phase 2B of the registration, a phase with priority over those with no connections.
However, there is no guarantee that the child of the parent volunteer will get a place in the school after putting in the hours of voluntary work.
Parent volunteers shared with inSing editors the odd jobs they may get posted to do.
Some have been asked to direct traffic or to be ushers at school events.
They will also be asked to take part in the school's fund raising activities by manning booths, helping to sell items, or to sponsor items and food for these activities.
If parent volunteers have special skills, such as in performing arts or sports, they may also be asked to take on student groups to coach them in these skills.
