PSLE stress among topics raised by parents in dialogue with ST

Struggles of children with special needs also discussed at Conversations with ST session

- Elisha Tushara Correspondent

Parents raised hot-button issues like the stress of major examinations such as the PSLE at the latest and final edition of Conversations with The Straits Times, a yearlong series of discussions involving editors and journalists from the newsroom.

On Dec 12, participants asked about alternatives to the Primary School Leaving Examination and tips for Primary 1 registration, given the pressures faced at these junctures in their children's lives.

In response, ST editor Jaime Ho said that while national examinations have become less high-stakes than they used to be, more needs to be done for the education scene in Singapore.

He explained that the reason ST no longer covers the release of examination results is to evolve the narrative around education, reduce stress and focus on broader aspects.

"Through the stories that we tell, we also want to help evolve the narrative a little bit away from the kinds of inordinate stresses and focuses that we have built up over all these decades on education," he said.

Rather than leading with results, he said, the stories now focus on spotlighting schools and students with interesting achievements apart from academics.