WEDNESDAY'S letter by Ms Pamela Liu, 'It's about who can afford better tutors', dismisses the PSLE as an examination that 'divides the haves and have-nots among our 12-year-olds', saying 'students from well-to-do families will get into better secondary schools.'

I agree with Ms Liu that despite the meritocracy and transparency our education system boasts, competition for our children to enter secondary schools does not begin on a level playing field. This, however, does not compromise the mission of our education system - to provide every child with an equal opportunity to receive a good education.

The inevitability of Ms Liu's argument is what I disagree with. It is a gross misconception that children with 'good tuition teachers...will inevitably do better'. This is almost insulting to children who put in effort and produce results solely based on their diligence and intelligence.

For more The Straits Times stories, click here.