THE trend of private tutors sitting national exams to better gauge their mastery of the subjects they teach appears to be increasing ("Maths tutor sits exams to understand students better", Wednesday).
Maths tutor Ong Ai Ling said that though she aced both maths papers she sat, "it was not an easy task". I also know of a General Paper tutor who has sat the paper for at least the past few years, and concedes the difficulties of acing it.
I did not come across any school teachers who sat the national exams during my teaching stint in a secondary school.
Perhaps, the Ministry of Education could consider making teachers who teach graduating classes sit the national exams.
This may lead to improved outcomes for our educational system.
It would help ensure that teachers, many of whom would have sat their exams many years ago, are adequately equipped to prepare students for the recent changes in the exam format ("Memorising answers won't score you the As", Wednesday).
If teachers can prove that they can ace the same exams their students are sitting, it may help instil greater confidence in the teachers' efficacy in teaching the subject, which may result in fewer students relying on tuition. Teachers who get grades below a benchmark could be required to take corrective action.
Maria Loh Mun Foong (Ms)
Maths tutor Ong Ai Ling said that though she aced both maths papers she sat, "it was not an easy task". I also know of a General Paper tutor who has sat the paper for at least the past few years, and concedes the difficulties of acing it.
I did not come across any school teachers who sat the national exams during my teaching stint in a secondary school.
Perhaps, the Ministry of Education could consider making teachers who teach graduating classes sit the national exams.
This may lead to improved outcomes for our educational system.
It would help ensure that teachers, many of whom would have sat their exams many years ago, are adequately equipped to prepare students for the recent changes in the exam format ("Memorising answers won't score you the As", Wednesday).
If teachers can prove that they can ace the same exams their students are sitting, it may help instil greater confidence in the teachers' efficacy in teaching the subject, which may result in fewer students relying on tuition. Teachers who get grades below a benchmark could be required to take corrective action.
Maria Loh Mun Foong (Ms)
