From the Editorial Team
18th Jan 2023

In the Singaporean education system, there is a high emphasis on academic excellence. However, in the real world, there are more factors than mere academic prowess which a student requires to succeed.

Clear Communication

The ability to write concisely is important to communicate messages to others. Often, learning how to write proper emails and reports is something that students are not taught in schools. The techniques used to write essays will not always be relevant in preparing documents in the working world. Students should learn the appropriate language, cadence, and tone to use when preparing documents and presentations during their employment.

Critical Thinking

The Singaporean education system often does not train students to question things, emphasising rote memorisation and a systematic application of taught concepts to answer difficult problems. Often, the student who will do best is one with a large memory and the ability to perform complex tasks according to specific directions.

However, students should learn how to question information and reason whether they are true or not. There is a lot of false information swirling around in the media and the truth is not often straightforward. It would be unwise to blindly accept everything a figure of authority says and critical thinking would serve a student well in navigating complex areas of life.

Constructive Collaboration

There is a marked difference between school and real life in group projects. In school, there is sometimes the option of selecting who to work with. However, we are unable to choose the people we work with and the people we answer to when we are employed. An important skill is therefore constructive collaboration.

Students should seek to develop a tolerance for others and a task-focused approach. An awareness of team dynamics and strengths and weaknesses of others is important in working in any organisation or team. Students should be aware that everyone can contribute something in a team, albeit in different ways. Not everyone has the same views and skills, but they are still able to contribute something to achieving a common goal.

From the Editorial Team
19th October 2022

On platforms advertising tuition services, there are 2 main demographics of tutors – part-time tutors looking for jobs to tide them through periods between National Service and University, or full-time tutors who have taught at reputable schools. There are marked advantages of the 2 options most frequently presented to parents looking for a tutor for their children.

Advantages of Part-time Tutors

Generally, part-time tutors have been most recently exposed to the syllabus of the subjects which they are teaching. As an added bonus, they may have been from the school the child is currently studying in. This may give them more exposure to changes in the syllabus and the style of the teachers within the school, which can lend more credibility to their advice despite their young age.

Furthermore, as many parents search for tutors in preparation for an exam, tutors who have recently completed the exams could have their examination preparation fresh in their minds and can assist with the time management of the student. Often, a student juggling co-curricular activities and other commitments would feel lost regarding their timetables, and a former student who has recently completed their studies could best provide advice, given that they are closer to their age.

Advantages of Full-time Tutors

An obvious advantage of full-time tutors is the credibility of their credentials and experience. Tutors who have been teachers at a particular school have a bird’s eye perspective of the type of exams their students will be taking, with knowledge about how the student’s answers are marked. This could help in the correction of answers which the student provides, as the tutors will be able to give sample answers and tips on what they are looking for.

Ultimately, parents should understand their children’s needs and personalities best and should vet potential tutors to see which is the best for them, while weighing all the advantages and disadvantages of their decision.