Overloaded kids

Categories: Singapore
The Sunday Times today [March 5, 2006] highlighted kids in Singapore who were overloaded with school work. One was quoted as having so little time that she even have to take her meals in the car while being ferry for yet another tuition. Another was given 40 pages of homework over a three-day holiday. A few was reported to have dreaded school so much that they refuse to attend school. Why are school children having so much pressure? Whose fault is it?

Some school here set their examination standards very high. They feel that if standards are set high those that do not do too well in school will still have a higher chance to get good grades in public exams. However, seeing such 'poor' results propel parents to enrol their child in tuitions and enrichment classes with the hope of improving their results. School at fault.

Some schools here had been piling up homework for their kids. This was done with the intention of giving the kids extra practice so that they can be better in their work. Some of the parents I met have told me their children find it difficult to finish their homework before the next school day. This leaves the kids with very little time for rest let alone play. And we have not considered time for tuition yet! Score: school 2 parents 0

On the other hand, we have school which does not give much homework. All school work are to be completed in school. Only when the child cannot complete their work, then do they bring these back as 'homework'. However here we also have rumblings from parents who asked why there are no homework for the child! Do not be fooled into thinking that these children have a lot of free time. Because in their 'free' time, these children can go for tuition classes and therefore they also are hard pressed for free time. Parent's fault.

Some parents have high ambitions for their kids. Their kids must top in everything they do. If they obtain highest marks, anything less than full marks won't do. They must be first in class. If they are already first in class, then they must strive to be first in form. So if the child can't deliver, tuition is it! Score: school 2 parents 2.

Yet there is another group of parents who are feel that children must grow up with some stress so that they will be tough. Sounds very true. But the problem is how much stress is enough stress? So the children are piled with assessment books, tuitions and any form of enrichment class you can think of.

Then there is the classic kiasu parents. Such parents always live their children's live for others. If the classmate has 98 marks, their child must be at least 99 marks. If the classmate got first in class, then their child must be first in standard! Never mind their child had already been studying for 5 hours a day. Never mind the child already has no time to watch TV or play. Just do better then the next guy. Final score: school 2 parents 4

The Education Ministry is not entirely free from blame. Previously they rank school causing school to push their students so as to improve their ranking. Although school are no longer rank, its legacy can still be seen. It is not uncommon for anyone to see banner outside school proclaiming that they have the best result in a certain subjects in previous year's PSLE results.

So it seems parents are the main culprit. However isn't school and parents form part of society? Therefore to solve this problem everyone must play a part. Already the Education Ministry has adopted the philosophy of "Teach Less, Learn More". So maybe the rest is up to the schools and parents to lower their 'unreasonable' expectations.