WHEN I collected my Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) results in 1985, I was told I had been selected to attend a Special Assistance Plan (SAP) secondary school. This sudden 'promotion' did my parents proud but it gave me much stress. The moment I started at the SAP school, I fell from being the top girl to being among the top 15. For the first time in my life, I knew I was simply 'not good enough' and was bitterly disappointed with myself.

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The letter-writer is unnecessarily complacent if she genuinely believes that "effort by the student and the determination of the student is responsible for his grades, not anything else."

Having been in both roles, as a student and a teacher, and having experienced good and bad results in both roles, I have come to the conclusion that a student, however brilliant and diligent, by whatever yardsticks, can only do so much by herself. Not only do you need good interesting teachers to challenge you, you also need helpful classmates to spur you on. I have found myself benefiting the most when I work hard and smart in tandem with brilliant and diligent (and well-prepared) teachers and classmates or fellow researchers. Unsurprisingly, the moral support of a coterie of family and friends can only add to the chances of success.

In this world and esp in SG, the facade of "meritocracy" lends credence, or perhaps leads the young writer, to the unmistakable conclusion that all it counts is your own hard work. Nay, God made so many people for various reasons, some to spur you on positively, and others without whose mediocre results you will never appear on a pedestal, among them, so count your blessings as you have them, and do not forget those whose hands you have eaten out of.

we have pseudo meritocracy - we are not ready for real world meritocracy are we..?

I don't really understand the fuss being made about the education system here.I come from a country where money =education.you don't need to have good grades in your A levels, but can still study to be a doctor, an engineer etc by paying substantial sums of money to the "Private colleges"There are so many "Private colleges " mushrooming in the whole country.Therefore mediocre doctors and engineers graduate year after year resulting in a substandard service standards.Students with real talents in sports as well as studies but with no money are never recogonised .
Conversely in Singapore,if you are a good student or have an inert talent in sports, you can get into the school of your choice and if you cannot afford the fees it comes highly subsidised.
So please stop lamenting and instill in your children the love for learning and hard work, so they can acheive their goals and dreams.

#4:

"I don't really understand the fuss being made about the education system here."

Of course you cannot even grasp the fuss generated because you are NOT a born and bred aka NATIVE SINGAPOREAN. Duh.

Similarly, I would never understand the mindset of the people of the country whence you come.

"So please stop lamenting and instill in your children the love for learning and hard work"

You still don't get it don't you, that the EDUCATION SYSTEM here does not allow the parents to instill THE LOVE OF LEARNING??

I find statements like these made by you and your fellow clueless guests of Singapore nothing but pure hubris and a waste of precious space. Not to mention, a tad rich.

So, please go do something more worthwhile than making statements which you have no inkling of whatsoever.

Again thagee38 , let me emphasise this again just in case, you don't get it:

DIFFERENCES IN CULTURAL MINDSETS AND PRACTICES

Just because you are -- I presumed -- another Asian, that does not mean you would UNDERSTAND

[sorry, press the "post" accidentally]

Just because you are -- I presumed -- another Asian, that does not mean you have the god-given right to comment something which you have no clue of.

GEDDIT? I would be more than happy to explain to you in simpler English if need be.

"if you are a good student or have an inert talent in sports, you can get into the school of your choice"

Hah? This is something new to me, thagee38. Talent in sports can get ME into the school of my choice?

Where did you hear that from? Something that plucked from the air? Or are you referring to the Singapore Sports School? For the sake of clarification, Singapore Sports School is not subsidised. OK?

Get your facts right before you make such statements that make Singaporeans' blood boil. Just so typical of you guests.

Parents do not feel upset when your child under-performs academically. Look for things they are good at. Stop comparing with others. More to life than going to so-called "top" schools. Really. From the team of 1800-TEACHER.com.

I got by without tuition for my PSLE in 1991. I also did not study. Heck, I was playing soccer and sleeping most of the time!

Still, I ended up with a pretty good score, qualified for the GEP, blah blah blah. My teachers weren't surprised, though they did chide me for not doing better.

How did I do it? I loved the stuff I was learning(except for chinese, that's the one subject I couldn't get the best grade in), so studying wasn't a chore, and the things I should, I HAVE learnt. I suppose it does help to be smart too.

When the love of learning is there, the results will come. Being goal orientated is good, but sometimes we miss the forest for the trees.