The page on the Ministry of Education's website for registration of Primary 1 pupils, 2018 and 2019 intakes.
For first time users, it will be necessary to register for a username (your MyKAD number) and password.
When using the system for the first time, you will need to start by typing the MyKID number of the child who will be registered for Primary 1. Almost all of his or her data will be instantly displayed, like birth certificate number and address.
A tip for parents/guardians who want to register their children: Apart from MyKID (for anyone who doesn't memorise his or her children's MyKID number) it's best to also have your children's Immunisation Book (or Buku Rekod Kesihatan Kanak-Kanak) with you when filling in the online form because there is a part that requests for the dates of all immunisations taken. Also, please ensure that you have the MyKAD numbers of the main two caretakers, e.g. both parents or others, ready.
Five years down the line
I am not sure how other parents feel when their children are finally old enough to be enrolled for formal education - are they happy, excited and so on?
While I am grateful that Alvin has gone a long way from being a 1.16 kg preterm baby to a preschooler today, there are uncertainties as to how well he will be able to cope with large classroom + numerous subjects + banyak homework... all the things that SJKC pupils go through.
Why be concerned, and why SJKC?
If it's a child whose milestones and behaviours are just like the typical majority, I wouldn't be as concerned. As discussed in an earlier post, I do not care so much about the type of school that a child enrols into, and am open to the idea of putting my children in a school that uses a different medium of instruction from mine in the past.
Why a particular SJKC? Distance-wise, it's the nearest from home and hence not to worry about transportation. While I am open to the idea, I am not sure if it will be the best for Alvin. Hmm... I don't have much say in this matter because among everyone at home with my family-in-law, I am the only one who is not Chinese-educated, and I am quite afraid to introduce an alien idea that may cause discomfort to others, unless it genuinely cannot be helped.
What are the challenges? These are foreseen when it involves a child whose development in language is not the same as the majority, which is not just language delay and late-talking. Right now, I still do not know if Alvin will be able to catch up 3 languages in SJKC, a challenge not only to anyone with language problem, but also many other children.
The readiness factor: Is Alvin ready to write, write and write? It's imminent when you study Chinese because practise is the only way to master writing Chinese words. Apart from that, Chinese schools also place great emphasis on practice/homework in other subjects esp. mathematics.
What about SK? Family factor aside, one main concern is the fact that Alvin has no exposure in Malay language right now, and I do not know the best method to get him to intensively pick up Malay without stressing him up. I don't want him to lose interest in school solely because of communication barrier in SK.
Today isn't like yesterday: Although I survived SK not knowing how to speak Malay in the beginning, the phenomena may differ now. For e.g. Primary 1 stuff today look like Primary 3 stuff to me, and I wonder whether children nowadays are indeed so advanced compared to us in the past?
BM question for Primary 6 that went viral on social media last year. BM papers for UPSR in the 90s were nowhere near to this level, gone are the days when they only comprised "Soalan-soalan Objektif" for "Pamahaman" and a written paper for "Penulisan".
Languages of survival: In Malaysia, knowing only the Chinese language is not sufficient to live independently. We need to master Malay (a lot, like in secondary school where all subjects are taught in Malay, and when having government-related transactions), and then English. The only hope now is to see if Alvin will progressively outgrow his current obstacle later on with the help of speech therapy now.
Keep an open mind: In any event, if there's a need to change school later on, we can still do it despite having enrolled into a school now. Let's get some expert's advice later and k.i.v. for a Plan B or C.
An eye-opening evening
Staying in a Chinese majority area, 99.99% of pupils from Alvin's kindergarten enrol in SJKC. Naturally, his kindergarten starts preparing its pupils for it.
Although the number of homework is very little - mostly writing alphabets and easy Chinese characters on dotted lines, and can be completed in 10 minutes with guidance (but smarter ones don't need any guidance), homework is still homework, and this is where parental role comes into play.
Five minutes on, Alvin got bored. No problem, let's play some songs and continue when we're both happy. Unfortunately, halfway through, I was caught surprised by the knock on the door of the homework-cum-sleep room. Oops, it's Alvin's grandmother, my mom-in-law... "He got no homework is it?". "Yes, he had, we did for 10 minutes and I decided to stop because he's done enough". Got 10 minutes eh? :p
Are folks at home shocked by this easygoing approach? As I did not have homework from Primary 1 to 3, it didn't come naturally to me to check the Alvin's books everyday because I didn't expect any homework. Wah... if Alvin really goes to a Chinese national-type school, then I must change and be more interested in homework.
Conclusion
Alvin's application for primary school is almost done, except for a few boxes I couldn't fill in. Fingers-crossed, I don't know what to expect after this.
All I want is a school that's convenient in terms of transportation and location, one that is suitable for Alvin to learn, with teachers who are compassionate enough to understand his current shortcomings that we're working on to improve. Alvin Boleh!!
