In Full Bloom

I am home today...
It is the blessing I find; though being sick is not fun.
And yesterday's traumatic experience is something I do not wish to repeat.

As I scanned the papers this morning, something in the Forum Page of the Straits Times caught my eye. All the hullabaloo over the PSLE exam papers was put into perspective by a reader, Mr Ee Teck Tee.

I would like to quote these lines:
What is unfortunate is that in Singapore, a student's future is so often determined by just one examSome flowers which blossom late can also be of matchless beauty. Not doing well in any exam does not mean a student is inherently poor in that subject

His metaphor of the late bloomers remind us that it is high time that parents themselves stop pushing their children into the direction of academic success alone. Good results do not necessarily equate to a better future in today's context; neither do they reflect the 'quality' of the individual.

I will not be in school today to face parents. Like I once wrote on my updates on FB, "Red marks, red eyes & red faces - I hope that parents will not equate failure in exams to mean that the child is a total failure!"

I have seen my fair share of 'late bloomers'...and by God's will, how beautiful that can be. A child who was dogged with mediocre marks came to see me; head downcast and parents who could not understand "how come this one is so different...big brother and sister are university graduates...blah..blah.." This child however, had a gift. Give him a sketch pencil and a paintbrush, and caricatures come alive. He had a 'wicked'sense of humour, and I enjoyed many an afternoon listening to his ascerbic and witty exchanges with his peers. Today, he is a copywriter for one of the newspapers, and I am confident that he will make his way up.

I cannot speak enough of KC...who till today sometimes find it hard to shed his "I am just poly while they are high-fliers from top JCs."...For the umpteenth time, let me tell you, you earned your place there. By your own merit. What you may lack in terms of IQ, I am confident you will get by with your EQ and AQ.

The year end brought a mix bag of results from my own children. It was not the numbers of As scored, nor was I terribly upset by the U grades that appeared. It does not mean I am laid-back or not concerned. It meant that I value the effort and determination I saw behind those marks. I do try to accept the aptitude of each child,and understand appreciate that that the attitude in their approach will hopefully mean that there are in good stead to face the challenges of the future.

One of the plus points of staying in my school...is that I do get to see my true gems shine.
And I hope, that many more will continue to do so.

God,
A prayer of hope today for the many many buds which have yet to bloom.
Show the world that they too, can be spectacular someday.
Ameen.