1. Charlene Tan Shuen Lin (2)
Chua Hui (5)
Chua Ying (6)
Long Jing Wei, Eunice (17)
Shernyse Toh Yun Wei (25)
Shu Xuan Yu (21)

2. Topic: Is our educational system giving students too much stress
Topic: Is our educational system giving students too much stress? What are some possible solutions?
Our stand:

3. Stress defined as emotional pressure on students
Summary of issue:
Focusing on Singapore’s educational system (compulsory up to Primary 6; optional to continue education from here)
Stress defined as emotional pressure on students
Too much defined as excess (more than adequate, no longer considered healthy stress)

4. 5 minutes interview session
Enjoy!

5. Background information
(Introducing our topic…)

7. Can be seen that this devastating incident regarding this student places much importance on her studies that she was stressed over the fact that she could not get into a university and decided to commit suicide instead.

8. Source: Dr. Joshua Kua

9. (Introducing our points…)
Main Arguments
(Introducing our points…)

10. Main Arguments
1. Segregation/Banding of students causes students to have to work extra hard in order to enter the ‘better’ stream/class/group (Students will resort to anything to do well for PSLE/Olevels) so that they can ensure a ‘bright future’

11. *To obtain desired points to these ‘good’, many students will stress themselves by studying very hard
Sources: AND

12. Main Arguments
2. Stress comes from the attempt to fulfill parents’ high expectations for children (parents make students do assessments/go for tuition to keep up)

13. Source: http://bigthink

14. “According to the Straits Times article, the upcoming exam period had sent frenzy parents searching for last minute intensive tuition for their kids. Tuition agencies and tutors are seeing a rise in the number of students seeking last minute help. However, is this good for the student’s well-being?
Parents would think that such short-period “torture” would be a long-term investment and is beneficial to their children. With Singapore’s society being based heavily on merits, many parents are afraid that their children would do badly in exams. Especially, when major exams such as the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) and “O”/”A” Levels are important turning points in a student’s education path. Doing badly in these major exams, will result in students being unable to go to top schools, or choose a good educational major in the universities.
In this meritocratic society, most people think that if you fail in life, it is because you did not try hard enough. People often think that those who do badly in exams are people who are lazy and did not study hard. However, such thinking has created an evil cycle. Everyone becomes so grades and results oriented that other interests are not developed.
Students often complain about how stressful school life is. Some even experience psychological trauma near to the examination periods. Are parents giving their children too much stress? Is our society too harsh and emphasises too much on results?”
Source: Chloe Cheong (03/10/2011)

15. “On weekdays, he stayed up late to complete his homework and past-year exam papers. On weekends, the Primary 6 student would be whisked off to other non-academic classes. This was his schedule to prepare for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE). Dozing off on car rides was his way of catching up on sleep. This went on for nearly a year, before the boy broke down and went hysterical, said psychologist Daniel Koh. It was only then that the 12-year-old's parents realised that they had pushed him over the edge. By then, it was too late. Yesterday, The New Paper reported that a Pri 6 boy apparently wrote a letter saying he was stressed out by the coming PSLE exam before he went missing for three days. The boy was found on Thursday and reunited with his family. Mrs Bernadette Lim, 43, admits to giving her son too much stress when he was in Pri 6 last year. She arranged for a tutor for every subject that year although he did not have any problems with his school work. "He was always an above-average student," said the housewife. "But I wanted him to do better to get into a top school.“
Singapore Children's Society's youth services director, Dr Carol Balhetchet, said parents need to manage their expectations. She cited an example of a boy who did well enough in PSLE to get to a secondary school that was slightly above average. His parents, however, wanted him to retake his PSLE so that he could get into a top school. "I think that's very unfair," said Dr Balhetchet.
Tinkle Friend Helpline Coordinator Goh Li Shan came across a mother who cried when her son got an aggregate of 251 for PSLE. "She was expecting him to obtain much higher marks, so 251 was considered low to her," said Ms Goh.”

16. Main Arguments
3. Stress comes from imbalance of lifestyle: trying to excel in both CCAs and studying, too time consuming hence making students vexed

17. Source: Dr. Joshua Kua

18. (Is it possible to remedy our situation?)
Possible Solutions?
(Is it possible to remedy our situation?)

19. Possible Solutions
1. Society should not be overly results-oriented, be more lax on education system so that students will not be so pressurized to excel in their studies.

20. Source: http://www. nytimes

21. Source: http://www. straitstimes

22. Possible Solutions
2. Students, parents and teachers should also play a part themselves and think of methods to relieve such stress (e.g. draw up timetable to better manage time, do not force students to study too hard)

25. Rebuttals
Difficult to change / Can’t change overnight, hence the government is emphasizing more on other areas (all-rounded) However, this will add more stress as students not only have to work hard for their studies, but also their CCA etc.
R: -Schools allow students to choose their own CCA which is most probably their interest. Therefore, their CCA can also act as a way to relieve stress.
However, students may still choose the CCA with the most awards which may be against their interests, and hence, does not act as a form of relaxation to the students.
R: -On the contrary, that will be the students’ choice, so it is not the education system’s fault.
R: represents our rebuttal

26. Rebuttals
The whole system actually “forces” students to attend/have a CCA. (eg: students can minus 2 marks for CCA points during O’Levels)
R: -However, the 2 CCA points can actually help the students to get into a better school. (It is your interest and plus, students get to minus points for O’Levels) Hence, CCA is actually beneficial to the students.
However, you may not get into the CCA of your choice.
R: You are still able to quit and appeal to other CCAs.
Leader positions gives stress to the students (i.e. Councilors)
R: Leadership positions are optional.
R: represents our rebuttal

27. Rebuttals Solution: -walking to the beach to relax after school
-Exercise regularly
-Doing hobbies that interest you (i.e. knitting, baking.. etc)
What if there is no time for all these relaxation and exercises?
R: 1) TIME MANAGEMENT
2) Walking home everyday is also a form of exercise.
R: represents our rebuttal

28. Rebuttals Solution: -Having class outings
R: 1) Students may not have the time to attend.
2) It is more stressful as some students rather engage in their own personal hobbies/activities that are to their interests.
-Form study groups as students can spread out their work, hence, it is less stressful.
R: Not beneficial to everyone as it may be a distraction to the students.
R: represents our rebuttal

29. Rebuttals
Solution:
-The government can can hold more dialogue sessions with students to know more about what the students really need and/or how the students feel towards the education system.
R: -
R: represents our rebuttal

30. For your kind attention 