Regardless of Grades: How does the obsession with grades affect parents and children in Singapore?

There have been countless narratives about moving away from an over-emphasis on academic grades. It’s no surprise, because in Singapore, nationwide efforts started well over 25 years ago. 

More recently, the Education Ministry introduced sweeping changes - the scoring system for the Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) was revamped in 2021 to reduce fine differentiation of results between students, and mid-year exams in schools have been scrapped since 2019. 

But how much have they helped in shifting the country’s view on grades? 

CNA’s award-winning "Regardless of" series is back with the new Regardless of Grades. The upcoming documentary investigates how our obsession with grades affects parents and children, and finds out if it’s time to stop chasing grades. 

Many Singaporeans consider the PSLE as the first academic rite of passage that students have to ace at the end of their primary school education.

In a survey commissioned by CNA covering 1,000 parents of Primary 5 and 6 students, we found that many parents think good PSLE grades are important to secure enrolment in a secondary school of the child’s choice, and because it’s a stepping stone to a good future or career.

Host Diana Ser says: “As a parent of three, I have been through the PSLE three times, and I can understand parents’ desire to provide their child with the best conditions that will allow them to achieve their full academic potential.

“What’s eye-opening to me is that our social experiment with Primary 5 and 6 students revealed that parents are a major source of stress for our children, and not just that, even the stress our children impose on themselves seems to stem from parental pressure. That really gave me much to reflect upon.”

Regardless of Grades tracks three Primary 6 students and their families across eight months, as they do all they can to prepare for the PSLE. It looks into the history and inception of the PSLE, to find out how it evolved into the high-stakes exam that it is today.

For the first time, we also lift the lid on this national exam with never-before-seen footage of how the math exam paper is set, and find out whether all the out-of-school study can help students ace their exams. 

The documentary offers an honest reflection on the obsession with grades, via perspectives from parents, educators, education experts and students themselves.

Even if you're not a parent or student studying in Singapore, watch it to learn how the country's education landscape has evolved.

You may be surprised to find out how, as schools reduce their emphasis on grades, there is a booming tuition and enrichment industry that offers boot camps, "brain training" sessions and even tuition for parents to help their children.

Catch Regardless of Grades on CNA or CNA's YouTube channel on Mar 29, 9pm.