Demand (of private tuition) raises questions about effectiveness of remedials

The following is from ST Forum of the STraits Times dated 19 August 2010

ST Forum

Aug 19, 2010
Demand raises questions about effectiveness of remedials

IN RECENT years, there has been a growing emphasis on work-life balance. This is much welcome, but efforts seem targeted at working adults.

I think we have overlooked the same need for our young.

Our children not only attend school, but they must also stay back for project work, a host of activities other than co-curricular programmes and, on top of these, remedial classes.

Students, especially those in upper secondary, stay back as late as 5pm or 6pm for compulsory remedial classes for different subjects on different days of the week. And when they finally get home, many have to rush through dinner as they probably still have homework to complete, tests to revise for and maybe projects to work on.

Besides, much as some people would like to deny it, private tuition is almost a necessity nowadays.

This insatiable need for tuition should set school managements thinking: Are the remedial programmes effective?

We need to make time for students to wind down, recharge, reflect and relax. They need time for family and friends.

We cannot have a system in which academic excellence always prevails.

For the many students who are of average calibre, this kills passion for learning anything at all, not to mention the adverse effects on their self-esteem, and relationships with friends and family.

I hope the Education Ministry and Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports will study the issue and craft policies and programmes that complement one another. This can be done by having the needs of our young in mind.

Constance Lee (Ms)