Struggling with hands-off approach for children's homework during PSLE, yet wondering about available alternatives as a concerned parent.
A Notable Shift in Parental Approach to Academic Pressure during PSLE in Singapore
In the lead-up to the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE), one individual has found themselves at a crossroads, grappling with their approach to their child's studies. This shift in parental strategy reflects a broader change in the education system, as more parents become aware of the psychological challenges children face and the importance of their well-being.
The individual, who initially subscribed to the "Their Grades, Their Choices" camp, has recently experienced a significant change in perspective. As their oldest child prepares for the PSLE, the individual has become more involved in their child's studies, questioning whether they still believe in their child's autonomy or if they have given in to parental backseat driving.
This change in approach is a response to the approaching PSLE, as the individual contemplates whether to continue with a hands-off approach or to intensify their involvement. Friends in the second camp, who advocate for "I'll Do Anything It Takes To Help My Child Succeed," have urged the individual to step up their involvement, suggesting strategies such as hiring tutors for additional help and pushing children harder in extracurriculars for an advantage in the Direct School Admissions exercise.
However, the individual has also received support from parents in the "Their Grades, Their Choices" camp, who advise lightening up further on revision schedules and supervision. The individual has stated that parents can guide and support but cannot live their children's lives for them, and sometimes children need to fall to decide to pick themselves up and continue.
The individual's experience is not unique. Responses to the PSLE's academic pressure have been categorized into two main camps, reflecting the ongoing debate about the appropriate balance between academic success and children's autonomy.
In recent years, the Ministry of Education (MOE) has implemented reforms aimed at easing the pressure of the PSLE. The scoring system was revamped in 2021, replacing the T-score with Achievement Levels (AL), removing streaming from 2024, and introducing Subject-Based Banding (SBB) in secondary schools. These reforms aim to lessen the exam's high-stakes nature, provide more subject and level flexibility, and create a more holistic pathway for students.
As a result, many parents have had to adapt by focusing less on raw scores and more on their children’s interests, strengths, and mental wellness. Some advocate for making the PSLE optional or creating guaranteed progression routes to secondary schools to reduce the pressure-induced competition.
In conclusion, the parental stance on PSLE academic pressure is shifting from rigid, high-pressure expectations toward a more nuanced, compassionate, and flexible approach that prioritizes children's psychological well-being alongside academic growth, supported by systemic reforms in Singapore's education landscape. Parents are seeking informed, child-centered support, moving away from one-size-fits-all approaches that focus solely on scores. The individual's experience serves as a testament to this evolving parental mindset.
[1] Koh, J. (2022, October 1). The changing landscape of parental expectations in Singapore's education system. The Straits Times. Retrieved from
[2] Ministry of Education. (2021, August 1). Revamped PSLE scoring system to replace T-score with Achievement Levels (AL). Retrieved from
[3] Ministry of Education. (2021, October 1). Streaming to be eliminated by 2024. Retrieved from
[4] Tan, S. (2022, February 1). Parents in Singapore are rethinking their approach to education during the pandemic. Here's how. CNA. Retrieved from
- The individual's shift in approach is not limited to academics alone, as they are also incorporating health-and-wellness considerations into their child's education, emphasizing the importance of mental well-being in the learning process.
- As part of the broader change in Singapore's education system, parents are increasingly focusing on education-and-self-development aspects, moving away from solely exam results, and promoting a more balanced approach that includes life skills, critical thinking, and personal growth for their children.
