Is it really fair? Is it really fair to make fourteen year olds choose their subject combinations that will dictate where they can go and what they can do when they grow up into mature, sensible individuals? is it fair for a system to start eliminating people from young and then tell the eliminated ones that its ok, we have special schools and programs to suit your special needs? neither is it fair to place so much stress on kids since primary school.

have you gone shopping in the primary school assessment books section in POPULAR? just go to any branch. it freaking scares me. the tables after tables of assessment books, the SALE posters put up next to it- 3 for 10 dollars. parents just snapping the books up by the baskets, not even considering if their child can handle it on top of school work. what makes a kid not do well in school, and lose interest in learning, and fear exams? it is the day to day learning process that snuffed out that little fire in their little hearts and minds. obviously, some of the resilient ones survive, but what about the others? andrew er, and those weekly sci/eng/chi/math revisions, plus exam papers from top schools. do we really need them?

it is no wonder why the education industry is so lucrative, just think of the thousands of kiasu parents out there who cannot wait to pour their money into assessment books. parents who hem, how many ever went through what the books are about, the contents or if it is suitable for their children? how many looked through it and attempts them? he one universal solution parents turn to- TUITION. is it just me or do others also realise that tuition here does not only mean clearing doubts about syllabus, but about getting your child ahead to be number one.

i just have a very logical statement to make. there is only ONE NUMBER ONE. so what if your child is not it? what if it isnt because your child is not good, but because he made a few careless mistakes, or misread the questions? does it mean that he/she is not good? does it? how many parents have ever told their children that they will always be number one in their hearts, that they will love them regardless of results? does it not matter now?

parents don't give birth to a child to brag about his/her results. if the child do well, great, added bonus. if the child does not do well despite working hard, encourage him/her, not SEND THEM FOR TUITION. many singaporean couples cite high cost of living and education as reasons to have lesser children, but think about it- who is the one who insists on their child having tuition, on buying assessment books?

nuff said.

then now, where do i go from here? how do i realise my dreams? no one can tell me how to get there, and all tell me the same thing- just get good results and all the doors will be open to you. but what i really want to do is not something that requires fantabulous results. i want to host my own show on discovery travel and living. i want to open a bakery, to become a chef. i want to counsel little children, i want to educate parents on making the right choice for their children.
can someone tell me how do i get about doing anything?

i'm tired. sometimes, it just seems like the road ahead is all fogged up, and i cant see more than where i am now.