I REFER to the report, 'Panel suggests overhaul of primary education' (my paper, Jan 28).

The competitive nature of the Singapore education system, with its over-emphasis on grades and academic achievements, sometimes works against the true meaning of education - that is, taking joy in learning to achieve one's potential in life.

A majority of children here find the education system too results-based, and there seems to be a lack of freedom to go beyond getting As in exams.

More needs to be done so that students can take pleasure in their studies, by going beyond getting good grades while living up to the expectations of parents, teachers and peers.

Besides placing an emphasis on grades and academic achievements, the education system needs to impart values, not just knowledge, to children.

It is when the education system can produce confident kids who are outspoken, sociable and independent, rather than just churning out top-notch straight-A scorers, that Singapore can say that it has arrived.

Mr Sebastian Tan

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