take a break from psle

Opting out of the education arms race – these parents don’t sweat about gradesFollow topic:ParentingPublished Oct 17, 2026, 12:00 PMUpdated Oct 17, 2026, 9:09 PMListenSINGAPORE – Liang May took her son for a staycation at a hotel during his study break before he sat the PSLE in 2024.They went rock climbing, played games at an arcade and visited cafes for meals, while weaving in study time between these activities.“It made him feel more relaxed. He was feeling the stress of PSLE, so this actually helped him,” said the 44-year-old homemaker.She said that in the lead-up to the examination, her friends confiscated their children’s devices or limited their play time. But she did the opposite.In fact, she increased her son’s gaming time and ensured there was a good balance between his studies and personal time.“I consciously told myself not to be reeled in to that pressure… He’s the one sitting the PSLE, and he’s the one feeling most of the pressure,” said Liang, adding that she worried her son would not be able to put effort into studying when he was required to if he was not rested enough.This was not the first time Liang’s approach to her two children’s education seemed unusual to her friends and family.Top storiesExplore top stories from all sections in one placeSingaporeAsiaAsiaSingaporeHaze in Singapore: Air quality improves but majority of regions remain in unhealthy bandPrabowo’s handling of haze unmasks issues with leadership approach as he marks 2 years in officeHaze in Malaysia: Vets seeing uptick in pets with respiratory problemsSingapore to step up surveillance of three infectious diseases from Oct 31Although her son had the chance to enrol at an earlier phase in her husband’s alma mater, a prestigious boys’ primary school, she decided to place him in a neighbourhood school near their home instead.“I wanted my children to grow up meeting kids from different backgrounds, to gain a wider view of the world... And they thrived at Pei Tong Primary School, where they were able to make long-lasting friendships and had caring teachers,” she said.Elisha Tushara is a correspondent at The Straits Times, specialising in Singapore’s education landscape.Vanessa Paige Chelvan is an education correspondent at The Straits Times. She also writes the occasional commentary on parenthood, work and family life. See more onParentingStressSingapore education