Mailbox: Thankful son didn't get spot in popular school

Three years ago, my husband and I were disappointed when our son did not manage to enter a popular school in Punggol after balloting in Phase 2C. Little did we know that this would turn out to be a blessing in disguise.

My son is now a very happy boy in Townsville Primary School in Ang Mo Kio, where we enrolled him under Phase 2C Supplementary.

We chose the school for its focus on holistic education, its in-house student care facilities and its location close to my parents’ home.

Now, we are thankful that he did not end up in that popular school, for several reasons.

First, my son is weak in mother tongue. If he had studied at the popular school, he would have to struggle as pupils there study higher mother tongue.

Second, Townsville introduces science to Primary 1 and 2 pupils. This is a big help to them when they reach Primary 3 and the subject becomes gradable.

Third, the school encourages pupils to take up co-curricular activities right from Primary 1. My son took up taekwondo and found that he was good at it.

Lastly, the school’s location means my parents are able to contribute to my son’s care. It makes them feel good, and we have dinner with them on weekdays so they are not lonely.

Even though parents want the best for their children, they must keep the children’s happiness in mind too. As working adults, many of us struggle to achieve work-life balance. But how many of us put in the effort to ensure that our children have study-life balance as well?

-Sng Li Hoon (Ms)

This article was first published on July 22, 2014.
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