PSG as a channel

SINGAPORE - It may be as simple as acting as chaperones when the students go on school excursions, or preparing food for festivities such as Sports Day and Racial Harmony Day.

But for parent Susan Khin, who is from Myanmar, helping out in such activities as a member of the parent support group (PSG) at her daughter's school is not just a gesture of goodwill.

At a time when an increasing number of foreigners are moving to Singapore, some like Mdm Khin find that joining PSGs in their children's schools can help them to feel more at home here.

And with "integration" the current buzzword, Singaporean parents are also seeing the upside of having the new arrivals take part in school activities.

While there is no data keeping track of how many foreigners and new citizens join PSGs, a check with schools found that parents came from a diverse range of countries such as Vietnam, Hong Kong, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Australia, and India.

Mdm Khin, a former teacher in Myanmar, joined Greenridge Primary's PSG in 2007 out of curiosity about Singapore's education system.

"I became a PR (permanent resident) in 2004 ... but through the PSG, I find that I'm learning more about Singapore by interacting with other parents and their children," said Mdm Khin, who became a citizen in 2007. "Also in Myanmar, there aren't that many chances for parents to be involved in their children's schools, so I thought it was a good opportunity."

Mr Andrew Wilson, a PR from Australia who this year joined the support group in Dunman Secondary, called the Dedicated and Supportive Parents (DSG), thinks it is "useful for everyone to join a PSG".

"It's a great way to learn more about Singapore and the education system, (but) more importantly it's an excellent way to support your children's education and to be involved with an environment that fills much of their week," he said.

PRs and international students comprise about eight and four percent, respectively, of the student population in primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and centralised institutes - a "consistent" figure over the past few years, according to the Education Ministry.

But Singapore's immigration policy has caused some Singaporeans to fear that newcomers are taking away jobs and their children are topping exams and taking over top schools.

Singaporeans in PSGs whom MediaCorp spoke to, however, were more inclined to see the multicultural benefits that new arrivals bring, to schools and to parents.

"Sometimes, they share ideas and perspectives that those of us born and bred here might not see, and it broadens mindsets," said Mdm Norsiah Rejab, a committee member of Tanjong Katong Secondary's PSG. "For example, a parent from the Philippines might tell us, 'no, we don't do that in the Philippines' and suggest new ideas for activities."

Dunman Secondary principal Beatrice Chong told MediaCorp she valued PSGs on the whole, "whether multi-cultural or not", for the home-school collaboration they bring, which is "beneficial for the development of the children".

She added: "Parents from different cultural backgrounds add to the vibrancy of the PSG through a diversity of perspectives and experiences."

More importantly for parents, they believe new arrivals help to improve their children's "tolerance levels".

"They get to understand people and cultures outside Singapore; (it) prepares them for adulthood, too," said parent Kathrine Koo, who joined Dunman's DSP in 2007.

On another level, the interaction within PSGs between citizens and non-citizens has helped smooth possible rough edges arising from Singapore's immigration policy.

Recounting her experience in Tanjong Katong Secondary's PSG, Mrs Kartar Kaur said: "You also see that you in fact have a lot in common ... most of the time, we see past each other's nationalities and focus on getting our tasks done."

The added competition in schools as a result of foreign pupils, she thinks, can be motivation for local children.

"As parents, we can use them as examples to motivate our own children, rather than see it negatively," said Mrs Kartar, who was originally from Malaysia and became a citizen in 1992.

If anything at least, Racial Harmony Day celebrations have gotten richer, with more parents from different ethnic groups and cultures chipping in.

"The food is better and more authentic, and there are so many more costumes to see and try on, so it's definitely made things more fun," Mdm Norsiah said with a laugh.

Source :http://www.todayonline.com/Singapore/EDC100201-0000027/PSG-as-a-channel