Pre-School Education?

As a rule, I usually do not care much about the National Day Rally. Most of the time what the Prime Minister (PM) say on the day is just a rehash of government policies.

This year’s National Day Rally was pretty much the same. PM Lee Hsien Loong’s National Day Rally Speech on Sunday may have touched on some issues but most of what he says is in line with current government policy. And that is why I can’t understand why some parents like the idea of establishing a new statutory board to oversee pre-school education.

That means exams and tests. For pre-school children! Yes, I know no one has said anything about exams and tests yet but be serious; I mean this is Singapore. Does anyone truly believe a government statutory board on education will not recommend exams and tests to “track” the progress of students sooner or later; even for pre-school students! Even if they do not want to, kaisu parents will not allow it. They will want “data” to make sure their children do not “fall behind”.

That is why I cannot understand why some parents actually like the idea of establishing a new statutory board for pre-school education. Children in Singapore are already under enough pressure from primary school onwards; there’s no reason to add on to their stress. Leave the pre-school centres alone, a few years of fun and play will not “destroy” your children’s future.