A-Level results: Grieving student persevered with studies after mother’s death

SINGAPORE — In March last year, Vimal P, a Pioneer Junior College student, was at his mother’s side as she experienced breathing difficulties at their home.

He called for an ambulance, but his mother lost consciousness by the time the ambulance arrived. She died that night in a hospital due to a heart attack.

Badly affected by the turn of events, Vimal could not focus on his studies and the A-Level examination. However, at the release of the A-Level results on Friday (Feb 22), he scored five distinctions.

He told TODAY that he pulled through because of his teachers and friends.

Before the incident, Vimal was an all-rounder in school who actively took part in class and community work.

When he returned from his mother’s funeral in India, his teachers noticed that he was quieter and often stared into space.

His civics tutor, Ms Alexis Yeoh, spoke to him out of concern and realised that he blamed himself for his mother’s death.

With the support of his peers and teachers, Vimal learnt to let go of his guilt and persevered for his A-Level examinations. His friends encouraged him and were always there to lend a listening ear.

Mrs Tan Lee Peng, Vimal’s chemistry tutor, said: “He picked himself up so quickly to the extent that we (his teachers) were quite surprised. His usual responsiveness in class and attitude towards learning returned within a month or so.”

For the A-Levels, Vimal scored As for Higher 2 (H2) Physics, H2 Chemistry, H2 Mathematics, Higher 1 (H1) Project Work and H1 Mother Tongue Language.

About 13,000 school candidates sat for the GCE A-Level examinations last year, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Singapore Examinations and Assessment Board said in a press release.

Of these, 93.3 per cent achieved at least three Higher 2 (H2) passes, with a pass in General Paper or Knowledge and Inquiry. This is marginally better than the 93 per cent for the cohort the year before.

It is also the best showing from students after the curriculum was revised in 2006.

Earlier this month, MOE announced that A-Level holders looking to further their studies at polytechnics may now enrol and graduate from their tertiary studies earlier.

For Vimal, he has set his mind on becoming a teacher after witnessing how much his teachers cared for him.

He recalled how Ms Yeoh would speak to him whenever she sensed that he was upset, and convinced him to see the school counsellor despite his initial reluctance.

He plans to apply for the MOE Teaching Scholarship to pursue this goal.

“I am inspired by my teachers who went beyond their roles as just educators. I, too, want to make a difference in the lives of others,” Vimal said.