What is IP?
IP stands for Integrated Programme, catering for higher performing students.
The integrated programme is a 6-year course leading to the GCE A-Level examination for students in the following IP schools: Catholic High School, Cedar Girls’ Secondary, Dunman High School, CHIJ St Nicholas Girls School, Hwa Chong Institution, Nanyang Girls High, National Junior College, Raffles Intuition, Raffles Girls’ School, River Valley High School, Singapore Chinese Girls’ School, Temasek Junior College, Victoria School
IP Students in these schools continue International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) education, an alternative to GCE A Level after their Secondary 4: ACS Independent, Methodist Girls’ School, St Joseph Institution.
Students in IP do not need to take the GCE O-Level examination in Secondary 4.
Differences between O Level Chemistry (Pure/G3) and IP Chemistry
Common Challenges Face by IP Chemistry Students
IP student 1: “Mum, my Chemistry teacher doesn’t teach. She expects us to learn independently. She assigns a lot of learning in SLS (Student Learning Space). Then she discusses the questions in class but I don’t see the link at all.“
IP student 2: “Mum, my Chemistry teacher teaches so fast in class. I don’t understand a lot of what she’s teaching. I’m totally lost. Many of my friends are also confused.”
IP student 3: “Mum, I can understand what my teacher is teaching and also the questions she discusses but I don’t know why I can’t seem to do the assignment and can’t score in my tests too.”
Does these sound familiar for you?
IP programme encourages self-directed and independent learning due to faster pace and more in depth content. However, most IP students are too busy with their CCAs, leadership roles and outside school activities so many couldn’t find time to learn and explore the curriculum on their own.
If a student starts lagging behind for Chemistry, the gap widens really quickly because the topics are inter-linked closely. This is the reason why Chemistry is the most challenging Science subject. In a few weeks, they could be completely overwhelmed with Chemistry, feeling unmotivated and helpless, not knowing how to pick themselves up.
Parents who we have spoken to shared that their child didn’t understand what was taught as the teacher was teaching too fast. Some students also were taught by relief teachers when the main teacher was absent for an extended period. Most IP Chemistry curriculum consists about 90% O Level syllabus and 5% to 10% overlap to A Level syllabus. To be able to deliver the concepts clearly, the teacher needs to have experience in teaching both syllabus which requires years, probably 1 to 2 decades of working with both groups of students.
How to Choose the Right IP Chemistry Tuition for Your Child
