Most students are usually anxious about the PSLE exams. But it may have taken too much of a toll on them this year. Especially since many parents expressed their concerns over the difficulty level of the examination papers.
This year’s math PSLE exam papers in particular, has been deemed “especially difficult” and almost “Math Olympiad” like by cohorts and parents alike.
That is not to say that students didn’t find other subjects difficult to crack. As concerned parent, Mr Chris Henson, put it, “All the subjects are a challenge these days.”
To learn more about the issues with the papers and the examinations, theAsianparent reached out to local parents and here’s what they had to say about this year’s PSLE papers.
Parents Concerned That PSLE Exam Papers Were Too Difficult And Too Stressful For Young Cohorts
Image source: Facebook / Chan Chun Sing
While some parents stated that PSLE’s have become extremely challenging for kids, others hoped that leniency is adopted in checking the papers.
As concerned mum, Ms Sarah put it, “When I took my PSLE, I did not even have tutors. Now even with tutors, my daughter finds it difficult.”
Another concerned mum, Ms Michelle shared that her child’s confidence level has dropped to zero. “My kid seems to have given up on his Science paper, saying “no hope already.””
As for the difficulty in subjects, while most agreed that math was the toughest, some also pointed that Chinese and English were equally difficult. “Chinese was tough. It’s numbing having to discern how the term ‘mother tongue’ is used. Clearly, language should be taught as a second language and not as a mother tongue,” said Mr Andre.
Local mum Ms Elaine told theAsianparent that some of the biggest challenges for PSLE cohorts have been “COVID pandemic, ineffective HBL, and (becoming) the first batch to go through new scoring system.”
Some parents also pointed at technological inadequacies that led to the fiasco.
One parent told us, “This has totally killed the motivation and interest of the kids to study. HBL was badly arranged and the equipment was not up to date or sophisticated enough to engage the attention of this generation of kids. I have seen several private tuition centres with more advanced teaching equipment than school. If a private tuition centre with limited capital can invest in such technologies, I don’t understand why a Government body with so much capital to spend is not catching up with the advancement in teaching method and technology?”
“I hope MOE can relook at their education system and the method of teaching and set the goals with realistic and achievable,” the parent added.
Mr Chris agreed and stated, “I would ask the MOE to remember their age. I would ask them to be true to what they have said that the new banding is meant to stave off comparisons because what they’ve been doing now with the exam questions, prove otherwise. The MOE should have kids learn to grow and help kids discover and excel in what they’re good at. Lastly, do away with the PSLE. It’s silly to impose so much stress and burden on 12 year olds!”
“Plan and implement your policies with heart,” he pointed.
But most parents unanimously agreed that this year the PSLE’s have taken a toll on children’s mental well-being.
Children’s Mental Health Has Been Affected
“The biggest challenge is to keep the morale and self-esteem of our kid as high as possible and keeping away resentment and angst. But it is becoming more challenging than it already is, because each paper seems to be set to not assess how much a child has learnt in his curriculum, but to entrap him for failure instead,” pointed Mr Chris.
“Most of us seem to have to motivate our kids more than ever,” he added.
Local dad, Mr Bern echoed the sentiment and added, “My son has been quite anxious and his maths coach friend–who is his classmate–also cried.”
Meanwhile, another parent Ms Veronica stated that it has been a “heartbreaking experience for kids.”
Parents Also Shared Their Opinions Online About Their Kids Being Stressed About Exams And The Difficulty Level
After today’s PSLE papers, parents also flocked to Education Minister, Mr Chan Chun Sing’s Facebook page. Many left comments about just how stressed their kids were and if there was a way to make this process easier for them.
Image source: Screengrab from Facebook
One of them wrote, “All the students are in great distress and want to kill themselves. Why was it even set so tough for them? The poor students are seen expressing their suicidal [thoughts] on social media!”
Image source: Screengrab from Facebook
“Many kids cried during the papers, some tossed [the] table out of frustration, some vomited cause of the stress, some begged, literally begged for more time,” wrote another concerned netizen.
“Many were left broken and dejected that their entire year of revising amounted to this, that they are still not good enough,” they added.
Image source: Screengrab from Facebook
Another parent shared, “We saw many dejected faces of the kids outside school. Our hearts ache [to see] them all upset. Some cried because they couldn’t attempt the questions. Please look after the mental health of our kids!”
Also sharing her thoughts on Facebook, concerned mum, Ms Jacinta wrote that the Maths papers were especially hard on her distressed niece. Her niece was so stressed about the exams that she had to calm her down after she got back home.
She wrote, “Kids in Singapore really have their childhoods robbed off them. The amount of pressure and stress to do well is crazy.”
Image source: Facebook / Chan Chun Sing
Parents Agree That Students Have Been Quite “Resilient”
The silver lining in all this has been the children’s resilience and most parents unanimously lauded them for it.
One parent, for instance, told theAsianparent, “They are one resilient group! With changes in rules for lockdown flip-flopping like pancakes.. they adapted… they truly did. And I’m so proud of them.”
Another parent (on request of anonymity) shared, “Covid hit them in P5, the crucial foundation year, and with constant move on Covid rules, they adapted, worked with what was given, pressed on and are here today. They have my admiration. I am proud of them.”
As are we!
And what better way to put it than as done by Kenneth Wong, who shared this motivating write up with theAsianparent.
Our dear Singaporean child,
So you think you bombed that paper. And maybe the next one too. Just do your best, then treat yourself. Perhaps to a snack, a movie and a good nap when you’re done.
Neither grades nor marks define you. Don’t believe anyone who tells you that you are not smart just because you didn’t do well in school. You are clever, intelligent, bright and beautiful.
Learn. Not for your performance to be measured. No. Learn because you are curious. Study because you want to know the subject well enough to explore and explain. If you are motivated in your learning, you need not worry about discipline in your effort and time management. You’ll enjoy it so much, you’ll get carried away in your thirst for knowledge.
Forgive us. Because you are pure and innocent in your youth, you can do so. At least try. Many of us adults are misguided. We are mistaken to think that grades are the end goal. No!
Learning, acquiring knowledge, developing an ability to analyse, question and empathise, becoming better people. That is the end goal.
If your parents insult you, shout at, or punish you for doing badly in school, please, try to find the love in your heart to forgive them. They love you and want the best for you, but they are badly mistaken. Forgive them, for they know not what they are doing.
Don’t be disheartened or afraid if you do poorly in school now, your life isn’t over. No, far from it. Ever heard the story of the tortoise and the hare? Life is full of surprises, twists and turns. Many who did poorly in school made successes of themselves in life. Others who did well in school did not become the successful doctors and lawyers many thought they’d become. Instead, they found higher callings. Like becoming clergy, playwrights, nurses, social workers… Amazing, but true.
Good grades don’t necessarily lead to good jobs that equate to wealth. Prosperity doesn’t necessarily equate to happiness. Those are myths.
Love and kindness is happiness.
Be loved for who you are. Love should never be measured by one’s grades.
Each one of you is important to your family. To Singapore.
Don’t ever forget that.
Lead image source from Facebook / Chan Chun Sing.
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