I've got two teenage daughters. Needless to say I doted over them. Both in the Express stream and one sitting for her 'O's this year. A prefect. A team-leader. Someone her peers look up to.
Last Fri we collected her mid-year results. She flunked all except one subject! Although she tries hard to keep up, we know she has not been doing well since last year & this was partly due the her CCAs (schools' trying to score 'Gold' award in SYF, last years YOG, Prefect duties, Camp etc etc. ). We tried to take her out of all this but school says CCA is IMPORTANT for character development. Seems to me that school CCA ranking is taking a precedant over our childrens academic resuls.
We also knew that exam standards set in schools are purposely set way higher than the 'O's themselves so we're not overly worried. Well, thats a lie. And its not because of her results that we're worried.
The mean results for the cohort hovers around 48%. This means that half of the cohort actually FAILED for subj like English, Maths, Science etc. In effect, half FAILED prelim 'O' levels.
I was ready to read her the riot act but looking at the stats, shouldnt the school & teachers be worried about their jobs?! This was ammo! Anyway, while with my daughter, I gave the teachers (& school) a good once over. Speechless they were!
Later on in the evening, we privately counselled her for her poor results. Wished her and hope that she does well & provide emotional support.
BTW, we heard yesterday that one of her cohort took his own life. Jumped out from way above. 2nd one this year. :(
We dont know why. Could it have been something to do with the poor showing at school? Parents scolding due to the prelim results? Mondays 1st 'O' level paper? We can only wonder. It is sad.
She doesnt know that we knew. Man, was I worried.
So parents, dont be overly too hard on your children eh. Love them for who they are.
