A Very Hard Decision Indeed

Assalamualaikum..

We were both very much adamant to change Harith's school for 2017 initially. Our preferred was Qdees Setiawangsa, Imani's pre school back in 2015. So the changes would be, from an Islamic Medium School to English Medium School.

Why?

This funny fella will attend Standard 1 in 2018, and comparing with his sister, who started reading at the age of 4, this playful dude are yet to achieve those. And before you started your prediction that Hasif and I are both fallen under this exam-oriented-stigma-kind-of-parents, you are not absolutely write.

Learning from Imani's time, we decided to have it differently with Harith. Rather than enrolled him for a preschool at the age of 4, we only registered Harith when he reached 5 years old. Even that, if he choose not to attend the school, we gave him the leeway. Mind you, he is a December baby, for more reason we decided to starts him late.

He is very good in reciting. Already memorizing quarter of Surah Lazim, the things that lacking during Imani's time. And his Math is superb. Addition & Minus are already on his fingertips.

Just that, he LOVES reading. There are times, we noticed Harith will actfully created a story from the book he pretending to read during family reading time.

The book is about Superman, and his storytelling was on Captain America. Plus, his assessment for Standard 1 will comes very soon. Very very soon.

It is indeed need a thorough analysis.

1. We love his current pre-school (Tadika Amal). The teachers are young, but very attentive and good in handling kids. He learnt Muqaddam, Sirah etc and able to perform prayers. Dhuha mostly as he is in AM session. Plus: the school is within walking distance from our house. Minus : readings are not the top priority plus english is below than average.

2. The targetted new preschool (Qdees) is English based with swimming and public speaking module. The teacher taught Imani's previously, and she is very good with elementary syllibus. Plus: they have mandarin and all-suppose-to-be-modern-skill-module. Minus: Islamic module is only 1 hour in a week duration.

Should we follow the required-mainstream-expectation : english and reading etc. Or should we realligned the priority?

On the day itself i.e. 3 January 2017, whether coincidence or indirect signal given, we went our early around 7am for Imani's 1st day at SRA. The plan was by 8.30am, we will brought Harith to both schools and let him gave the final decision. However, around 8am, the maid called.

'Puan, saya sudah hantar Harith ke Tadika Amal'.

Tadaaaaaa........ how to pull him out when all the registration are done? The preschool is also very considerate, they even allowed Harith to join the class though fees are yet to be paid.

As it goes, Hasif just laugh and shake his head. I know we can always cancel the class, and let the waiting list to fill up the vacant, but the manner was against it. So we have decided to let Harith continues with the current playschool, and to top it up, we engaged a part time tutor, for Harith additional class of English (and reading perhaps).

Hope all end well this year. Cross finger.