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PSLE means to Persevere, Survive, Learn, and Embrace the results

It is that time of the year again, for parents awaiting their children’s Primary School Leaving Examination results today (“PSLE results out next Thursday”; Nov 18).

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Chow Lai May

It is that time of the year again, for parents awaiting their children’s Primary School Leaving Examination results today (“PSLE results out next Thursday”; Nov 18).

Having been through this anxious experience with my eldest child two years ago, I am mentally more prepared this time, mainly because of the lessons I learned previously.

As a mother of three, I recognise that each child has his own learning ability and style. My eldest child is a visual learner and thus is not doing well in his academic subjects, such as mathematics.

That does not mean he will fail in maths. With support from his primary school teacher, we focused on training him in solving mathematical problems through model drawing, even though this may not be the fastest method.

As he is artistically inclined, he is strong in some topics, such as geometry and measurement. Although he was disappointed with his PSLE maths result, I was pleased. I recognised the effort he had put in throughout the learning process.

When he enrolled in secondary school, the vice-principal was concerned about his mathematical performance. But my child assured him that he would try his best and explore ways to improve.

To date, he has been able to pass with an A2 grade without external tuition, thanks to his efforts and his teachers’ support.

As parents, we hope our children would do well in their studies, graduate from university and then find a good, stable job. This does not mean that without a degree, one’s child is bound to fail.

Success in studies does not equate to success in life. Many successful businessmen are non-graduates. And with growing technology and globalisation, by the time our children join the workforce, having a degree would not guarantee them a job any more.

If our children do well in the PSLE, let us congratulate them. If they do not live up to our expectations, let us encourage them and recognise their efforts in preparing for the exam.

Let us not place our unfulfilled ambitions on our children. Let them learn to recognise their strengths and weaknesses. Besides grooming them in their studies, we must teach them to adapt, be resilient and persevere.

That would benefit them in life, even long after we are gone. To me, PSLE means Perseverance to the end, Survive the course, Learn the lessons and Embrace the results.

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