Part 5/12:
As the exam approaches, families ramp up preparations. Children attend boot camps, some lasting five days, which focus intensely on practice questions—sometimes costing up to SGD 500 per camp. Enrichment centers employ unconventional methods, claiming to stimulate brain development for better scores, further emphasizing practice over understanding.
Parents often sacrifice personal work commitments—taking leave or switching jobs—to support their children’s preparation. More than half (56%) of parents in a survey consider or undertake paid leave during this critical period. Many invest heavily in tuition, assessment books, and seminars to give their children an edge, creating a near-constant cycle of intense study.