A for Average
This is a picture of my ma and niece, taken some years ago. My niece was almost 7 that time, without her front baby teeth. My ma was 65 when this picture was taken. Mom still looks good today.
As I've said in one of my previous posts, my niece Bi ("Bee" sound in the Malay language), is 12 this year and has sat for the PSLE exams, a national exam for all Primary 6 students in Singapore. The results are now out, she has 3 As and 1 A* (A-star, sort of like A+), total aggregate scores 243 (out of 300).
Well, in this case, in the highly competitive Singapore, A is almost like Average. And those results put her squarely into the Average category.
This means, she can't apply and be accepted into top secondary schools across the country... which is essentially a land mass of 707 square kilometers (270 sq miles) but producing top-notch scholarly kids like nobody's business. Yes we are talking about a country where geniuses are made, not borne. You need to push yourself really hard to excel, at least academically.
She sounded down and disappointed when I spoke to her on the phone. I consoled her, yet objectively, I couldn't help but to wonder how soon she would forget about this and probably never learn from it. Has she finally realized she missed out on the opportunities given to her to excel? Does she know that only one's attitude will determine the final results, not one's level of intelligence? Nah, I don't think so. At least not yet. She isn't "hungry" enough to excel, doesn't have that deep desire to push her forward, and I bet she still doesn't stop and think before answering any test questions, if she were to sit for one exam today.
But I can only love her, and provide as much guidance and support as she can take.
Sigh.
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17 comments:
That's a tough break. But I can't help but wonder.. when the system and everything depends on ONLY one's numbers and scores on a test and that alone determines one's entire future. Having said that... Papa Bean never went to Uni... couldn't afford to and I went to uni, but at this moment we're not pushing Coffee to excel in anything... as long as she's doing "well" and doing her best...it's all we can ask for. The JP uni system is the same...harder than hell to get into, but after that it's just 4 years of play... whereas the uni's in the US are relatively easy to get into, but you'd better work your butt off to stay in! As parents and relatives, it's normal to want the best for our kids and to "scold" them when they are not up to their fullest potential... I think she'll learn, but I only hope it's not something she'll deeply regret....
Hey that is excellent results! Are you sure she can't get into a very good school? I think she has done very well. Tell her don't be so hard on herself. My kids were no where close.
Being a top performer and ahead of your peers doesn't guarentee you'll have the easy road. You will have the road that will teach you a great deal as you live and living is the point, isn't it?
She'll find her way. And you'll be proud of her accomplishmetns. ;)
I'd be happy if I could even get a 'C' :D
Those are pretty excellent results btw.
Jyankee - I do find the US system very easy to get by, in comparison to many of the Asian countries which are always operating on survival mode. But that is slowly changing though. Younger kids like my niece are too comfortable, therefore they don't know how to be "hungry".
Ting - oh definitely, you need at least 250 to get into Raffles and all the great schools. 243 isn't good, and she is probably BELOW average in her class.
Noni - well said, sistah. I do hope she has started to learn some life lessons through this exam though.
Nick - ha, C stands for Champion, D stands for Distinguished, well done my friend! :)
Move her here, she will be the smartest person in her school.
She will still have a good life. Sometimes that's hard to remember.
Sorry to hear about Bi. One day she'll know. :-))) I'm sure of it!
And your Mom looks AWESOME for a 65 year old!!! WOW!!!
Three As and one A* is AVERAGE? You must be kidding man. My goodness, I must quickly burn my PSLE result slip. I have got Bs!!!
"But I can only love her, and provide as much guidance and support as she can take."
Thats true...there really isn't much more you can do.
(hugs)
Let the youth remain innocent, that way when life gives a lesson, it is learned rather than heeded.
will you be my aunt? :))
how've ya been?
sorry i haven't been around. i'm tryin to get caught up.
hope you have a great weekend-
That's average? Over here she would be a genius.
You are a good aunt and I'm sure you would always do your best for her. They sound like fantastic results to me but obviously I'm thinking about it from a different system's point of view.
Lovely pic of your Mum and niece.
So is it a good time for AG to ask her out on a date?
Honestly, if she were that academically driven at 12, I'd be worried about the growth and evolution of the other aspects of who she is. I realize its a cultural thing, but I think she's going to be fine.
Malach - no kidding dude, in Asia, we always say that if we want to excel academically, we move to the States :)
Meno - aw, that's a hard truth and we overlook so often. Yes that statement is very profound. I, for one, is still very ungrateful.
Amel - yeah my mom still looks good today. I don't think I'll be that fortunate! Shoot!
Water - time has changed. It's getting very competitive now. Sigh.
Meleah - enjoy your break! Gosh I'm so jealous of you.
Derik - are you still innocent? :)
Soul - ah don't surf the web, don't read my blog, rest, rest, rest, yes I tell you to rest well, and shall repeat it till the cows come home.
Tony - yeah I'll send her to you :)
Angel - good aunt? You kidding me? I'm the BEST aunt in this world, yes, so full of myself, just the way I like it :)
C.Rag - what, I thought they are engaged? No, in Eastern culture, AG can't see the bride till the night of the wedding! Now the little guy is going to pee in his pants (literally) :)
Steph - yes it's very much a cultural thing. I suspect most Americans will think we are crazy, ops, shouldn't have admit to that :)
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