Celebrate, not hide PSLE pupils’ success

In not naming the top Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) scorers, the Ministry of Education’s intent was to “help parents and students understand that academic performance is just one aspect of a student’s overall development”.

A skewed focus on academic results alone is unhealthy, and I agree that we should seek to nurture well-rounded individuals. However, the decision to withhold the identities of the top PSLE scorers goes overboard.

They would have achieved a result that does themselves, their loved ones, teachers and schools proud. They should not be kept hidden, as if they are committing some sin. Let us celebrate them, as many of our top pupils are well-rounded individuals.

Many are student leaders, community volunteers, talented musicians and/or superb athletes. Some also come from less privileged backgrounds and achieve success against much adversity. Let us advertise them as role models.

Show to parents and pupils that it is possible to be well rounded while achieving academic success, as well as how greater parental involvement and time spent with our children go a long way in nurturing these individuals.

Our education system is not perfect; no system can ever be. But it works well and will work better with some reshaping, which the MOE is trying to do.

However, we must not forsake the pursuit of excellence. We should be proud that this has brought Singapore from Third World to First.

We must never send our pupils the message that achievement is not worthy of celebration.

We must, however, remind top scorers and their parents to be humble, that their success was achieved thanks to a Singapore ecosystem which helped to nurture them and that they must give back to this same society, including the less privileged.