# Singaporean Parents Struggle With Academic Pressure and Tuition Costs Most parents desire reduced academic stress but view private tuition as a necessary competitive requirement. - **Source:** [The Straits Times – Singapore](https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore) - **Published:** 2026-11-09 - **Topic:** [culture](https://brifing.si/c/culture) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/ebf3988d-5fdb-41f1-929d-e02c22fa25bb ## Widespread Reliance on Tuition Three in four Singaporean parents believe external tuition is essential for their children to succeed academically. Families currently pay a median of $600 monthly per child for these extra classes. This reliance persists despite 72% of surveyed parents expressing a strong desire to reduce the academic pressure placed on their young children. ## The PSLE Competitive Dilemma The Primary School Leaving Examination remains the primary driver of parental anxiety in Singapore. Parents fear that opting out of intensive preparation will leave their children at a significant disadvantage. Consequently, 77% of respondents indicated they would willingly ease academic pressure if the high-stakes exam were made optional for their children. ## Income-Based Spending Disparities Tuition expenditure scales significantly with household income levels across the nation. Families earning $5,000 or less monthly spend a median of $300, while those earning between $15,000 and $20,000 allocate $1,000 per child. These figures highlight how financial resources directly influence the intensity of academic support provided to students outside of school. ## Confidence in School Quality Despite concerns regarding competition, most parents hold the national primary education system in high regard. Eight in ten respondents consider Singapore's schools among the best globally. Furthermore, 85% of parents report that the school environment is positive, safe, and that students feel respected by their teachers during their daily academic activities. ## Support for Structural Reform There is significant public support for a 'Through-Train' system to replace the current examination structure. Approximately 80% of parents believe such a model would make learning more enjoyable for students. This proposed system would allow 80% to 90% of pupils to progress directly to secondary school without sitting for the PSLE. ## Class Size and Attention Large class sizes are identified as a major factor driving the demand for private tuition. Roughly 66% of parents feel that current class sizes prevent teachers from providing sufficient individual attention to every student. Consequently, 73% of respondents believe that reducing these class sizes would decrease the overall necessity for external tutoring. ## Expert Perspectives on Competition Academic experts warn that simply scrapping the PSLE might not eliminate the underlying culture of competition. Assistant Professor Kwan Jin Yao suggests that pressure could merely shift to earlier milestones like Primary 1 registration. He describes the current situation as a collective-action problem where parents feel forced to participate to avoid disadvantage. ## Future Policy Implications The survey, conducted by NielsenIQ with 4,007 participants, underscores a persistent tension between academic achievement and student well-being. While the government maintains a world-class system, the challenge remains to address the inequalities and stress that have emerged. Future reforms must balance these systemic strengths with the growing need for holistic development. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/parenting-education/most-spore-parents-see-tuition-as-necessary-despite-wanting-less-academic-pressure-survey — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._