Monday, October 7, 2013

Eroding Respect For The Teaching Profession

The subject of teachers caught moonlighting is in the news, this time scooped by the MSM and not social media. According to the figures quoted by SchTutors Tuition Agency, 60 percent of their staff of 3,000, or 1,800 in one center alone, are current Ministry of Education (MOE) teachers.

To demonstrate the dominance of pecuniary priority over pedagogy, one teacher puts it best: "It is a free market, giving tuition is very good money." Until we saw it in newsprint, many did not realise that MOE actually sanctions the go ahead for teachers to indulge in up to six hours of off hours private tuition a week. And to think online posts painted a pitiful picture of teachers too tied up with CCA work, and had to resort to private tuition to pursue their love for teaching. For once, credibility tips on the side of the MSM.

You can see how the slippery slope works. Teacher covers only part of the syllabus, and drops subtle hints in class that the balance is available after school hours at negotiable rates. No parent can resist the strategic advantage of having a private tutor who is also the form or subject teacher. India banned all teachers from giving private tuition last year, and errant teachers have been charged in court.  But enforcement remains challenging, as the educators are lowly paid and need other sources of income to put food on the table. Singaporean teachers, according to the Varkey GEMS Foundation Global Teacher Status Index
study, are the highest paid among 21 countries, earning an average annual salary of US$45,755, ahead of the United States' US$44,917 and South Korea's US$43,874.

Member of Parliament for Mountbatten Lim Biow Chuan must have been dropped on his head as a child. He actually said that disallowing teachers from giving tuition on the side could lead to "good, passionate teachers leaving the service." The passion has to be for money, not education.

To stomp down on corruption, the Public Service Division (PSD) recently made it mandatory that civil servants must make a declaration within seven days if they visit casinos more than four times a month or buy an annual pass for unlimited visits to local casinos. Officers in more critical roles than others, for instance in regulatory or enforcement jobs, will have to declare every visit to a local casino within seven calendar days. The MOE should also mandate that teachers must make a declaration of how many hours they are engaged in private tuition for extra curricular sources of income, and where the hell did they manage to find the extra time.

74 comments:

  1. Why do teachers moonlight as tuition teachers?

    On one hand, there are those who cannot keep up with the workload and leave the service, while on the other hand there are quite a number (1,800 for one agency) who have the time to moonlight.

    Are teachers moonlighting due to the need for additional sources of income? Yet their salary are not low, whether it is commiserate with their workload is another question.

    Or have the values of the teaching profession changed? We live in a high cost, high standard of living state (pun intended). Is it the need to meet the cost of living that drives many teachers to moonlight or the desire to make money that motivates them to such a lifestyle?

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  2. /// Member of Parliament for Mountbatten Lim Biow Chuan must have been dropped on his head as a child. ///

    PAP MPs to declare how many times they have been dropped on the head as a child?

    Wong (Mas selamat) Kan Seng - 20 times?
    Tin Pei Ling - ???
    Lee Hsien Loong - ???
    Raymond Lim - ???
    Yacob - ???
    Teo (What do u think) Chee Hean - ???

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  3. Its a vicious cycle. Teachers do not teach adequately in school, students turn to tutors to fill the gap. This results in shortage of "credible" tutors and agencies recruit teachers who are allowed to moonlight. Taxpayers are screwed by having to pay twice for essential services which should be provided by the government. Why do you think everyone wants to be a teacher?

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  4. Why are they so FREE to give tution, when they are always complaining, no time for their Family...

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  5. Money money money! Remember the old song Money is the root of all evil? Don't blame the poor techers. Even with their good salaries why be satisfied with that? I guess they want a greater cushion for eventualities- supporting aged parents,escalating costs of healthcare when they retire and no longer be entitled to subsidised healthcare and not being able to get a bypass for $8, etc. The mentality of the leaders make sense to them. Remeber LKY's justification for his children taking scholarships? He said why not? The money saved could be used as a downpayment for a house. And we have the recent revelation that our wealthy President's son took the Loke Yew scholarship meant for poor students. Such attitudes have become part of the Singaporeean kiasu attitude. Lastly.be reminded of Ngiam Tong Dow's recollection of LKY' response to his protest against the COE - if a lot of money can be made, why not?

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  6. Angry Singaporean10/07/2013 9:39 AM

    In 2004 when I was in Yangon the guide told us kids don't learn much in school, they have to pay tuition fees to their teachers to learn after school. I was shocked. What the heck are we teaching our kids?

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  7. Angry Singaporean10/07/2013 9:40 AM

    Have you noticed many teachers drive?

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    Replies
    1. I was thinking about that too - gotta slave to save for the COE.

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    2. Drive? Many own condos and another landed property!

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  8. How can an underprivileged kid keep up with well-to-do peers who receive extra tuition? The poor kid is thus handicapped to win any "merit" based scholarship. What the hack is going on in this country?

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  9. yes!.. just take a look at the school's car park. I suppose the HOD drives the MBZ .. the newbie a hyundai!.. but they can afford cars!

    Then again car parking is free and they avoid all ERP timings!

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  10. They are not busy as last time. After the feedback of heavy CCA, MOE employed many 'assistants' from agency (run by ex-army, govt servant) to take over most of the administrative and organising tasks. They are very free, especially those PE teachers;

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  11. where the hell did they manage to find the extra time.
    ===

    Hah, isn't that like asking why do some teachers find extra time to have kids?

    Or are you saying that having kids and taking care of them during evening and weekend time is acceptable, but a single spending the same time giving tuition is wrong?

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    Replies
    1. Apparently many teachers have lots of time on their hands.
      Enough to have love affairs and bond intimate relationships with female students, have tantalizing sex sessions and get away with them.

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    2. See the SAD post below about the ex P and the divorced teacher

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  12. Private tuition income is never declared. So it's tax free.
    That's how attractive it is for teachers to moonlight.

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  13. If there are very good teachers (how to identify them, we leave it aside for the time being) what is wrong in them giving private tuition within allowed hours? Are not the specific students taught, and society in general benefit? If you ban this, the tuition industry itself will suffer without the services of these good teachers. Where do you draw the line on doing spare time work? What about MPs being Directors of multiple companies in addition to their full time job? Does this not create situations of conflict of interests beside affecting their efficiency and ability of serving their constituents well. We should be realistic and have a sense of balance and not merely hum a tune that everybody hums.

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    Replies
    1. Are you kidding ? Controlling the number of directorships an MP can hold will lead to good passionate MPs declining to carry on as MPs. Or something like that.

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  14. Oh dear! Did you purposely wrote "Environment " instead of "Education" ? Good read, nonethess.

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  15. If they are from the Ministry of Environment....most probably they are using recycled materials to teach.

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  16. In school they have work review known as epms. The lousy principal of a pri sch in toa payoh plays favouritism and only 3 leggers are promoted or given good review. Teachers who are upright and try to do their jobs never get the chance. So, some just moonlight to get some extra income.

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    Replies
    1. Be specific _ EXPOSE CORRUPTION

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  17. If you think that is BAD then think again - I know of a case of an ex-principal (still working part time for MOE - lookup his Facebook account under DaDa Goh) who preys on divorced female teachers (those 40 and above) by pretending to provide emotional support and counselling to their children while intending to bed their mothers. The latest is a divorced chinese female teacher from Edgefield Primary School (with two teenaged sons whom this predator is pretending to counsel and provide Christian values support). If only the two boys knew what this man was doing with their mum - it would be devastating (since it takes 2 hands to clap in the first place)

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    Replies
    1. NoSmoke without Fire - sounds like a clearcut case of high level civil servants being unable to control their libido and leading to a moral morass!

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    2. The ex-principal probably could not keep his lecherous hands off MILF in glasses and teacher some more - Hot Hot Hot - Next time MOE will have many sex predators and ols Ah Ti Ko Peks joining!

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    3. Visited his FB account (DaDa Goh - aka Goh Lay Guan) - recognised him as the ex-principal of Kuo Chuan and later another secondary school in Bedok - also went to ask about the female teacher from Edgefield Primary - Is it Mdm K S P of their ParentSupportGroup?

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    4. I think must be since she"s the only divorced teacher with 2 teenaged sons (who according to some parents also studied in the school previously) Looks like a scandal in the making, just wonder how long it was going on?

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    5. Another wrong reason for schools to get into the headlines of daily rags like the Chinese dailies (wan pau etc) But maybe should just leave it as their private affair - ex-principals and divorced teachers also human and need SEX right?

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    6. But I thought the ex-principal is a married man?

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    7. I think he is according to his FBook he seems to have a happy wife and kid who studied overseas and the pictures show that he lives in a bungalow.

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    8. Any pictures of the mistress? Curious becos I also like milfs.

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    9. check out the edgefield primary school website her photo should be there. Also got other milf teachers for you to choose..... if there's one probably got some more.....

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    10. ha ha ha.... you mean the whole school full of cheating women and milfs. Maybe Serina Wee may end up as a teacher there too!

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    11. Don't play play! No wonder my hubby always linger around the school for so long when he fetch my girl after school.

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    12. I saw Mdm Koo once in person (assuming it's her). Really can't tell that she's like that one. Still waters run deep deep.... my husband also like to linger and stare at her and other teachers...now Angry!

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    13. I think quite confirm it's her. Saw her get into a red car with a old man at the wheel (thought it was her dad). After looking at the FBook picture - confirm! Old men and younger women = Another Divorce and Homeless Old Uncle when his wife gets the house. Serve him right!

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    14. Wow! This link now so happening! Must come back often! Got so many hot hot scandals

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    15. Not sure if u guys remembered last year's speech day. The Milf (Mdm Koo) was wearing a thin leopard print singlet under a small jacket (little womder why so many male parents were wildly snapping their cameras away - probably at the Milf). Wow! Teacher Cougar!

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    16. After reading all these commens, I worry about my child as he is sent into her Learning Support Room, sometimes by himself for his reading lessons. Read before in the news about the female teacher having sex with an underaged 12 year old boy. Don't know whether Mdm Koo is also like that and may get molested! (My son is only P2)

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    17. You mean you are worried about your son being molested by that woman? I don't think so, since she is apparently only interested in old men (like the ex-principal). Sugar Daddy!

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    18. You all worry too much lah! Complain to the school lah! Heard that this school usually very responsive to parents complaints (non-withstanding whether the complains hold any truth or not). I'm sure she will be dealt with to your satisfaction budden since got an ex-principal involved, maybe they might cover-up the whole thing.

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    19. Ya lor! That's why MOE got so many sex related incidences recently!

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    20. Heard that she will be at the P1 Orientation like last year - she wear tight tight short short dress - who knows maybe she wear the leopard print singlet again - must upgrade my digital camera to a HD one for this year's P1 Orientation and take videos of her in action - quite exciting will look forward to Nov 8 (Fri) evening.

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    21. You guys! You think what SLUT festival???

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    22. Hey! Look at it this way! It's not everyday that you see a real live adulteress milf who is a teacher who wears glasses and horny like hell!

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    23. Really Disgusted! Disgusted at you guys and also at that Mdm Koo - I will complain and put a stop to this then you guys get a cold shower

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    24. Complain lor! See if we care!

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    25. Everyone should calm down and take a step back to think. If you read the original post carefully, you should take note that it is the ex-principal Goh Lay Guan who is the sex predator, then again, from your descrptions of the Milf teacher Koo Siew Ping, it seems like she is also just as bad. In this case, isn't it betterthat we let sleeping dogs lie? One Male Dog and one Female Bitch screwing each other is better then screwing your husbands or wives right? If you still need to complain then tell that white haired idiot of a principal Willy Tan to give the Milf teacher a stern warning or better still transfer her far away from Punggol. She is already a divorced single mother with two teenaged sons to feed - if she is forced to resign, then what will happen? Think before you post again!

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    26. You make it sound like if tough the two "dogs" are free from blame and guilt free! I like my community to be free from scandalous behaviour and teachers who have extramarital affairs - why? Such teachers come into contact with my kids day in day out - how not to be concerned? You should THINK hard before YOU post again

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    27. Guys this is a public forum so cool down! Actually, maybe there are many teachers and civil servants who like the two in question - nowadays too much stress so need more sex to relieve mah! Won't be surprised that these two join Ashley Madison and have affairs globally.

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    28. actually the milf seem quite familiar. I think she taught my son when we were in Pasir Ris. Some of my old neighbours there says that she attends a church regularly Shalom Bible-Presbyterian Church. I wonder if that church will "sack" her when they find out. Very Sad!

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    29. What time she attend? I want to go that church and meet milfs. If got one probably got many more right?

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  18. Always thinking about Sex only

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  19. Seriously guys. she is I/c of parent support group. do you think she also scout for men from her list of parents data. Is our data safe in the hands of such people? anybody comment?

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  20. Now you make me panic.....

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  21. Considering to take my kid out and sending her to Horizon. Hope there don't have another sex nymphomaniac like Mdm koo.

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  22. She adulteress lah! not nympho! Come to think of it, is there any difference?

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  23. correction... divorced milf adulteress...wah if she go back to Brunei sure kenna charged since they changed the law to Islamic law

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  24. She from Brunei meh?

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  25. That's what I heard from people who know her. She come over to Singapore to study JC, NUS, NIE... another "foreign talent" gone wrong. Recently got many Alvin Avivi the lawyer scholar from Malaysia, Tey Tsun Hang the sex for grades prof from Malaysia, Now Koo soo ping the milf adulteress teacher from Brunei - why all like that???

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    Replies
    1. This is what they call competition. First they snatch your jobs now they also snatch your husbands. What's next?

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    2. Anyone know where she lives?

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  26. Why? You so horny want to go her house and ask her to be your mistress is it?

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  27. Her neighbours my friend"s frend says that she lives next to Mee Toh since 2005 or 2006

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  28. Which block? I want to visit her and give her a slap or spit in her face! So angry!

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  29. You want to get arrested like that guy on STOMP?

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  30. Joking lah! dowwan to dirty my hands on such slutty women!

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  31. Ok Guys! Let's end this here for with my 63 years of .experience from observing human nature, I can tell you how this will play out. Firstly, the ex-principal will call his wife to stand by him and help him deny the whole affair (like Jack Neo and CNB chief Gay). The wife who already live so long in relative comfort will reluctantly play along and stand by her man. The milf teacher will quietly disappear from the public scene like a thief in the night (out of sight out of mind right?) Things will quieten down and since most of us nowadays have very short attention spans, we will be distracted by other scandals and forget this one. In the end, the ex-principal will go back to his wife, and the milf woman will look for other sugar daddies to buy her love. Life goes on!

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  32. You like also an ex-sugar daddy yourself.

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  33. Admittedly so, I was and still am. These divorced milf women 40 and above are very easy to buy over, just give them expensive things, mobile phones, gadgets, toys for their kids and they will willingly hit the sack with you. You also need to pretend to be concerned for their kids once in a while, bring them out for dinner when you can, make it exciting because of the fact that you may be found out eventually. Won't be surprised that this milf that you guys are talking about became a mother in her early twenties and then the ex-husband didn't treat her right (except for sex). So now she feels that she must reclaim what she had lost by indulging in forbidden pleasures with especially married men. But in all fairness, these old uncles also very vain and want to capture the wild days of their youth, so in the end it really takes two hands to clap.

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    Replies
    1. you can be a profiler for the FBI - all sounds so correct and logical. Kudos!!!

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    ReplyDelete
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