Coping with PSLE for parents
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Singapore students are required to sit for two exams – during primary school and after secondary school.
High scores in the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) – arguably the most dreaded acronym among Singaporean parents – can clear the path all the way to university.
Those who don’t get into university settle for polytechnics and vocational schools, which will likely lead to lower-paying jobs, or cost their families a small fortune in overseas education. -
James Ang:
Be positive, PSLE is the \"new O levels\", it is the biggest opportunity to get into a good secondary school, ideally the best IP schools for the top 5% of the PSLE cohort.
That's quite true. That's also I become kiasu for this one time only. -
lovingmum:
:love: Thank you! still have one month. I won't give up!lots of encouragement, love, care and support for your child. explain the importance of psle, tell them if they had not done well in the past, it's fine and not too late to catch up cos it is that 4 or 5 days, cum oral exam and listening compre days that matter. not the past years of glory of their SA1 or SA2... in short, to the weaker ones, encourage and let them believe in themselves.. and to the stronger ones (all along good with results), encourage them and tell them they may top the schools.!!!!! my gal was doing very well since primary one but somehow at P6, her results was dropping, no longer top 3 in class and appeared to be out of the race too... i never give up on her, encourage and revise, find time to relax, brought her out to eat, watch movies... and finally she did well in her PSLE, was third in school.... so just don't give up.. don't panic, don't say things that will hurt them or make them lose confidence.... ask her to press on, buy her presents and one important thing that i did was, i got her new pens, pencils, new erasers... whatever you can think of.. arm her with whatever they need and they will be ready for the exams..
Good luck -
James Ang Wednesday, June 17, 2009
The PSLE Giant Candy Store- A Singapore fairy tale
Once upon a time, the PSLE exams was a Giant Candy Store which stocked the finest and best candies from all around the world; chocolates, sweets, candy bars and canes, jelly beans, candies in all shapes and sizes; sweet hearts, teddy bears, stars and all.
The PSLE candy store was opened only once a year to all 12 year-olds who visited and they could grab as many lovely candies as they wanted and wished for. While Adults were not allowed into the Giant Candy Store, the Adults had told and coaxed their 12 year-olds to take the opportunity to be their best and to get the loveliest candies which would make them forever happy.
Many 12 year-olds were excited and mystified about the PSLE Giant Candy Store, but there were some of those who could not be bothered. Some even fell asleep during the PSLE Giant Candy Store's opening hours. Maybe they were too young to understand, and even too complacent, to appreciate the importance of getting the best candies for themselves, until the PSLE Giant Candy Store shut its doors after the opening hours were over.
Too late already, the PSLE Giant Candy Store was closed, all those who were hardworking and diligent, even smart, they had a fantastic collection of the best candies, with their best experience to share, for the rest of their life.
\"I have 4 A* for my PSLE and I go to the best schools, get the best jobs in the country and do what I love in life\", the successful man/woman reminisced fondly. And he (she) lived happily after.
The end. -
I have posted this in other thread (Surviving Normal Stream) and reckon not many ppl may have read it. Thought to share this again. It is a very interesting and revealing article that Singaporeans and their kids should read …
Adam Khoo: The expats will rule Singapore
Posted by admin 28 January, 2010
I have a prediction. My prediction is that in a couple of years, the expatriates (from China , India , US etc…) will rule Singapore . They
will increasingly take on more leadership roles of CEOs, directors, heads of organizations, award winners etc… If you observe closely, it is
already happening now.
Last year’s top PSLE (Primary School Leaving Exam) student is a China
National. Most of the deans list students and first class honours students in the local universities are foreigners and more and more CEOs, even that of go vernment link corporations are expats. The top players in our National teams are expats. As a Singaporean, I am not complaining. I think that in a meritocratic society like Singapore , it is only fair that the very best get rewarded, no matter their race, religion or nationality. Like Lee Kwan Yew said, I rather have these talented and driven people be on our team contributing to our nation than against us from their home country. The question I have been asking is, ‘why are the expats beating the crap out of Singaporeans?
What I noticed is that these expats have a very important quality that many Singaporeans (especially the new Y generation lack). It is a quality that our grandfathers and great-grandfathers (who came from distant lands) had that turned Singapore from a fishing village to the third richest country in the world (according to GDP per capita). Unfortunately, I fear this quality is soon disappearing from the new generation of Singaporeans. This quality is the HUNGER FOR SUCCESS and the FIGHTING SPIRIT!!! Expats who come here today have the same tremendous HUNGER for success that our grandfathers had. They are willing to sacrifice, work hard and pay the price to succeed. They also believe that no one owes them a living and they have to work hard for themselves. They also bring with them the humility and willingness to learn.
Take the case of Qui Biqing, the girl from Qifa Primary school who topped the whole of Singapore in last year’s PSLE with a score of 290. When she came to Singapore 3 years ago from China , she could hardly speak a word of English and didn’t even understand what a thermometer was. Although she was 10 years old, MOE recommended she start at Primary 2 because of her lack of English proficiency. After appealing, she managed to start in Primary 3. While most Singaporeans have a head start of learning English at pre-school at the age of 3-4 years old, she only started at age 10… Despite this handicapped, she had the drive to
read continuously and practice her speaking and writing skills, eventually scoring an A-star in English!
This hunger and drive can also be seen in the workforce. I hate to say this but in a way, I sometimes think expats create more value than locals.
Expats are willing to work long hours, go the extra mile, are fiercely loyal to you and don’t complain so much. They also come a lot more qualified and do not ask the moon for the remuneration. Recently, I placed an ad for a marketing executive. Out of 100+ resumes, more than 60% came from expats. While locals fresh grads are asking for $2,500+ per month, I have expats with masters degrees from good universities willing to get less than $2,000! They know that if they can come in and learn and work hard, they will eventually climb up and earn alot more. They are willing to invest in themselves, pay the price for future rewards. Sometimes I wonder how some of the locals are going to compete with this. Of course, this is just a generalization. There ARE definitely some Singaporeans who create lots of value and show fighting spirit.
Unfortunately, I have found that more and more young Singaporeans lack this hunger for success. Instead, they like to complain, blame circumstances and wait for others to push them. Some hold on to the attitude that the world owes them a living. I shake my head when I see local kids nowadays complain that they don’t have the latest handphones, branded clothes and games. While I acknowledge that the kids of today are much smarter and well informed than I was at their age (my 4
year old daughter can use my Macbook computer and my iphone), I find that they lack the resilience and tenacity they need to survive in the new economy. Some kids nowadays tend to give up easily once they find that things get tough and demand instant gratification. When they have to work first to get rewards later, many tend to lack the patience to follow through. So, how did this happen? Why is our nation of hardworking, hungry fighters slowly becoming a nation of complaining softies? I think the problem is that life in Singapore has been too good and comfortable. Kids today have never seen hunger, poverty, war and disasters. What makes it worse is that parents nowadays give kids everything they want and over protect them from hardship and failure.
Parents often ask me why their kids lack the motivation to study and excel. My answer to them is because they already have everything! Giving someone everything they want is the best way to kill their motivation. What reason is there for them to fight to become the best when they are already given the best from their parents without having to earn it?
It reminds me of the cartoon movie MADAGASCAR where Alex the Lion and his animal friends were born and raised in the Central Park Zoo. They were well taken care of and provided with processed food and an artificial jungle. When they escaped to Africa , they found that they could barely survive in the wild with the other animals because they had lots their instincts to fight and hunt for food. They could only dance and sing.
I see the same thing in the hundreds of seminars and training programmes I conduct. I see increasing more and more expats attending my Wealth Academy and Patterns of Excellence programme in Singapore . Not surprisingly, they are always the first to grab the microphone to answer and ask questions. While many of the locals come in late and sit at the back. The expats (especially those from India and China ) always sit at the front, take notes ferociously and stay
back way after the programme is over to ask questions. I feel ashamed sometimes when I ask for volunteers to ask questions, and the Singaporeans keep quiet, while the foreigners fight for the opportunity.
For my "I Am Gifted!’ programme for students, I have the privilege to travel & conduct it in seven countries ( Singapore , Indonesia , Hong Kong , China , Malaysia etc…) and see students from all over. Is there a big difference in their attitude and behaviour? You bet! Again, I feel really sad that in Singapore , most students who come are usually forced by their parents to come and improve themselves, Some parents even bribe
them with computer games and new handphones to attend. During the course, some adopt the ‘I know everything’ attitude and lack the interest
to succeed until I kick their butts. It is so different when I go to Malaysia, Indonesia and once in India . The kids there ask their parents to send them to my programme. They clap and cheer enthusiastically when the teachers enter the room and participate so willingly when lessons are on. I still scratch my head and wonder what happened to my fellow Singaporeans to this day.
So mark my words, unless the new generation of Singaporeans wake up and get out of their happy over protected bubble and start fighting for their future, the expats (like our great grandfathers) will soon be the rulers of the country. At the rate at which talented and hungry expats are climbing up, our future prime minister may be an Indian or China PR or may even be an Ang Moh! -
that is a long post, but just about sum up what I experience too, wrt singaporean attitude to life, esp younger generation
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That’s very true. The lack of HUNGER FOR SUCCESS, willingness to accept DELAYED GRATIFICATION WITH MAYBE GREATER REWARDS, the diminishing FIGHTING SPIRIT…So, is there a way to address these? I wonder…
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Adam Khoo’s prediction can be really true. Sadly, our Y kids have everything they need or want so they really don’t need to "fight" for. That is why an old Chinese saying "the glory or rich of family do not last for three generation."
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Brenda10:
Better not change the calculator batteries at the last minute. I remember that there is a certain step \"to reset\" the calculator and if the child forgets the step (maybe nervous?), then calculator won't work! So change the batteries earlier, at least have some time to test it out...
FYI, my nephew would bring two calculators (temp borrows from my dd) as standby.....ningy:
we must provide the necessary support (must remember to change the batteries for dd's calculator, chinese dictionary). .
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HAI… This friday is Children Day but my DD (P6 this year) still need to go school for revision. I took a day leave , now need to cancel.
The school is stressing the kids :x
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