In Singapore, we have a Compulsory Education Act which requires all children primary school going age to be enrolled in school. So the year that the child turns 6, the parents have to either apply to a primary school to enroll their child, or..... if you are homeschooling, apply for an exemption (a COE or cert of exemption) from the CE act. Guess which I am doing?
All too soon, I have to apply for my fourth baby. I almost forgot, actually.
But that's because I have a child centered, homeschooler mindset.
You see, my fourth child is a december baby. Being a child centred homeschooler as I am, I look more for the development milestones of my child, rather that the chronological age of my child. Mentally, I place my child as a five year old. He's learning to read, do some simple addition. It's wonderful to see how intelligent he is! :D
(The other day, he figured that the answer to 6 + 4 is one more than 5 + 4. Just by looking at the earlier sum and making the connection. I'm not boasting that my children are geniuses or anything like that. I'm just a parent enjoying watching my children's development as it unfolds. The learning journeys I take with my children are dotted with surprises like these. What a joy and privilege to see them grow. Praise God!)
I forgot he is actually turning SIX at the end of the year and hence I have to apply for him now! In fact, it was a fellow homeschool mom who reminded me that I have to be applying for the COE this year. lol! Imagine that.
But how I feel sad for all other year end babies who have to catch up a whole year in development in order to do Primary One. This development gap is less pronounced in the later years but when they are young, from babyhood till kindie, what a big difference even 6 months makes for a child!
So, I've never been through a P1 registration exercise despite having now, 3 children who are primary school going age... I hope I never~ I hear it can be quite stressful. :p
Now to get on with that application... :)
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If you are intending to apply to homeschool, do email Ms Tan who is one of the CE unit staff at MOE. She will furnish you with details. [email protected]
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