SPM results were released yesterday and I’ve been hearing all these horror stories that make me question if our next generation of teens are ruined. Mother-in-law told me about neighbourhood kids who cried their eyes out because they’d scored 10A1s and 1A2, about parents who put their children down in public because they’d scored “only 9A1s.”
I was shocked. Brother-in-law, who takes the exam later this year, shed some light. The aim is to achieve straight A1s. It doesn’t matter how many you get, as long as you score a single A2 or – God forbid – a B3, your results are moot. You are no longer a “straight A1 student.” Everyone, he tells me, is very kiasu (translation: afraid of losing out) about it.
People think Chinese schools are competitive but I was from a Chinese school and I tell you we have nothing on these kids.
Who or what makes them think anything less than an A1 is a disaster? Why are kids crying their eyes out over results any sane human being would be proud of? Whatever happened to, “As long as you try your best, daddy and mummy are right behind you and support you”?
It’s insane, really. And I can’t help but wonder if the same kids who care so deeply about their grades care about the other (more) important things in life. Strength of character. Integrity. Selflessness and concern for others. Being grateful for their many opportunities and privileges. Because from what I’ve heard, it sure doesn’t look that way.
What kind of message are their parents sending? Did you know that in some schools, you can “bribe” clubs and societies for perfect attendance so your school record looks better when you graduate? Except it’s not called “bribing”, as I was informed, it’s called “helping.” Funny, when cops ask for a bribe they use the same word too – help.
“If you had to choose between having the best results or being known as the person with the best, most upright character,” I asked one kid. “Which would you choose?”
Here’s the scary part – she couldn’t answer the question.
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