It’s madness in China. Kids there really study from dawn to dusk. And when they fail to make the grade during the Gaokao (college entrance exams), they are doomed to a life of contract work because competition there is so stiff. China has 20% youth unemployment rate currently.

Singapore has taken some steps to reduce the heat of our system. We abolished mid-year exams and blurred the distinction between different calibres of students, among other things. Unfortunately, old habits die hard. Parents themselves exert pressure on their offspring by expecting stellar grades and sending them for too many tuition classes.