More than Grades – a new series by The Straits Times to spotlight remarkable youth
More than Grades – a new series by The Straits Times to spotlight remarkable youth
SINGAPORE – For the longest time, The Straits Times has covered the release of every national examination's results.
Like clockwork, the season of results coverage would kick in from November, starting with the Primary School Leaving Examination, followed by the N, O and A levels from December to February, and the International Baccalaureate somewhere in between.
Some time back, when the Ministry of Education stopped revealing the top scorers along with their grades, the stories that started appearing in the media also began to change.
No longer was it about straight-A students and overachievers – the focus shifted to those who were all-rounders across their studies and other extracurricular activities, as well as others who had faced insurmountable challenges at a young age and fought hard to do well in school.
In 2025, ST went a step further by deciding not to cover the routine releases of exam results.
Instead, the team of education reporters hopes to tell the stories of young people behind their academic grades and transcripts throughout the year and not only in the results season.
We aim to do this with a new monthly series, More than Grades, starting on May 25, that will put the spotlight on a variety of youth, from teenagers who have chosen unconventional paths to chase their dreams to others who have succeeded despite great challenges.
Our young today navigate conflicting messages. Despite efforts to ease the academic strain, the Singapore education system is still known to many to be intense and competitive, described as 'high-stakes' and a 'pressure cooker'.
Youth mental health is in crisis – around one in three people aged 15 to 35 here has experienced severe symptoms of depression, anxiety or stress, a nationwide survey by the Institute of Mental Health reported in September 2024.
Top concerns include cyber bullying, self-esteem issues and the excessive use of social media. Other contributing factors often cited are an overly academic culture and parental expectations.
Yet there are signs of change. There is a growing recognition, especially among younger generations of parents and children, that well-being deserves to be paid more attention, and that people with different aspirations can find contentment in different ideas of success.
It will take more than good exam grades and getting into the 'right' schools for our children to navigate an increasingly uncertain era of rapid global and technological changes.
Over the years the education system has undergone shifts and changes, from dialling back on the overemphasis on academic results to broadening the options and pathways available for students.
The hope is that this shift will continue to redefine choices and the way success is pursued in Singapore.
Our intention is not to say that grades do not matter and that achievements – academic or otherwise – should not be celebrated.
They should, and each of our features will delve into the personal stories of these young people, shedding light on their obstacles, and the triumphs that may go unheralded.
From featuring those juggling a full school timetable with caregiving responsibilities or trying to make ends meet, to others using their talents to start social initiatives or help people in need, this series hopes to broaden the understanding of success.
Our message to students: You are worth more than your grades and report cards, and there are many other stories of grit, hope and joy that can inspire you. And to parents: There is no shortcut to listening to your children with care, empathy and thought.
For as a mother of two young children, my wish is that they will find their own place in a society that will value them too.
Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Straits Times
19 hours ago
- Straits Times
18 migrants die, 50 missing after shipwreck in eastern Libya
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox TRIPOLI - At least 18 migrants died in a shipwreck off the city of Tobruk in eastern Libya over the weekend, and 50 are still missing, the International Organization for Migration said on Tuesday, citing reports. Ten survivors have been accounted for so far, the IOM said. Tobruk is a coastal city near the border with Egypt. Since the toppling of Muammar Gaddafi in a NATO-backed uprising in 2011, Libya has become a transit country for migrants fleeing conflict and poverty to Europe across the desert and over the Mediterranean. "This latest tragedy is a stark reminder of the deadly risks people are forced to take in search of safety and opportunity. Libya remains a major transit point for migrants and refugees, many of whom face exploitation, abuse, and life-threatening journeys," the IOM said. REUTERS
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
Firefighters battling blaze in HDB flat in Toa Payoh Lorong 8: SCDF
Find out what's new on ST website and app. SCDF was alerted to the fire at about 1pm. SINGAPORE - Firefighters are battling a blaze in an HDB flat at Block 229, Lorong 8 Toa Payoh. In a Facebook post on July 29, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said it was alerted to the fire at about 1pm. Efforts to put out the fire are ongoing, it added. This is a developing story.
Straits Times
a day ago
- Straits Times
A vast algal bloom is devasting parts of South Australia's seafood industry.
In South Australia, where the algal bloom remained resident for weeks to months, tonnes of seagrass has washed ashore, mostly out of season. – In April 2025, Mr Steve Bowley, an oyster farmer in a small fishing town in southern Australia, noticed that the waters around his oyster farm, which are typically pristine, had turned dirty brown. He knew immediately what the problem was. A massive bloom of algae – it now covers 4,500 sq km, about six times the size of Singapore – had been spreading along the coast of South Australia state, and finally arrived in his home town of Stansbury. Shortly after, state authorities advised Mr Bowley, whose Pacific Estate Oysters farm has more than 1.5 million oysters, that he could not sell his produce due to fears they could contain toxins. Mr Bowley, 68, who is unable to sell his oysters for 82 days from July 25, told The Straits Times that he is considering giving up oyster farming and is looking for another job. 'It will be months before we open again – I am virtually bankrupt,' he said from Stansbury on the Yorke Peninsula. The town is directly opposite Adelaide across the St Vincent Gulf. 'The sea here is sick. There is nothing alive under the water. It will take years to recover,' added the oyster farmer of 19 years. The spread of the algal bloom along the southern coast of Australia has not just ruined businesses such as Mr Bowley's, it is also affecting more than 450 species of marine life and threatening the region's exports of high-quality seafood. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Asia Cambodia, Thailand agree to 'immediate and unconditional ceasefire' to de-escalate border row Singapore Tanjong Katong sinkhole: Road recovery works progressing steadily, tests under way Singapore ST Explains: What we know about the Tanjong Katong sinkhole so far Singapore Foreign workers who rescued woman from sinkhole given tokens of appreciation Sport Gan Ching Hwee breaks 2 national records, qualifies for World Aquatics C'ships 1,500m final Asia Gunman kills 5 near Bangkok's Chatuchak market before taking own life Business SIA Q1 profit falls 59%; airline group sees volatile times ahead Singapore Man exposed daughter's identity despite court order after she was removed from his care So far, the algae are believed to have killed more than 14,000 animals off the coast of South Australia, including fish, dolphins, eels, sharks, rays and crabs. At beaches across the state, fish, octopuses and other marine life have washed ashore, while damage to seagrass and reefs poses a long-term threat to marine ecosystems. Mr Kyri Toumazos, deputy chairman of Seafood Industry Australia, which represents the nation's seafood trade, told ST that it is too early to assess the impact of the algal bloom on South Australia's seafood exports. This is especially as some fisheries, such as those for prawns, are seasonal and have not begun fully operating. He said southern bluefin tuna and rock lobster supplies were largely unaffected, but molluscs and crabs were hit hard. 'It is early days yet to see the full impact on exports,' he added. 'Different regions are affected to varying degrees.' South Australia produced about 72,900 tonnes of seafood in the year ended June 30, 2024 – worth A$478 million (S$402 million). It is a major exporter of southern bluefin tuna, oysters, rock lobster and prawns. The top markets include Japan, Hong Kong, mainland China and Vietnam. According to Australian government data, Singapore is South Australia's fifth-largest seafood export market, buying A$27.6 million worth in the past year. So far, the algae are believed to have killed more than 14,000 animals off the coast of South Australia, including fish, dolphins, eels, sharks, rays and crabs. PHOTO: GREAT SOUTHERN REEF FOUNDATION IN AUSTRALIA In response to ST queries, the Singapore Food Agency said: 'While Australia is a source of seafood, there has been no impact on supply to date. Singapore's sources are well diversified, and the industry is able to obtain their supply of seafood from different sources.' South Australia's Minister for Trade and Investment, Mr Joe Szakacs, told ST that all South Australian seafood that is commercially available is routinely tested and safe to eat. 'Regular ongoing testing in open harvest areas ensures food safety standards are upheld.' Despite the size of the bloom, it has not affected the entire state and is currently located around the capital, Adelaide, including many of its beaches, as well as the Fleurieu Peninsula, Yorke Peninsula, Kangaroo Island and the Spencer Gulf. But the bloom, which is affected by weather and currents, is still evolving and changing direction. A manager at South Australian fish market operator Safcol, Mr Ian Mitchell, said the bloom is having a devastating effect on the fishing industry. 'Areas that were once full of life have been devastated – they are just gone,' he added. 'Seafood is a big thing for (South Australia). We have got this disease in the water at the moment.' The algae, which can damage the gills of fish and suffocate them, were first spotted off the coast in March and then began to spread. The massive bloom is believed to be due to a series of events, starting with inland floods in 2022 that collected organic matter, which then flowed into the ocean. An upwelling of cold water in 2023-2024 brought the nutrients to the surface, and a marine heatwave in 2024 resulted in sea temperatures peaking at 2.5 deg C above normal levels. The warm water caused a blooming of the algae, which then spread and moved along the southern coast. The authorities said the algae can cause flu-like symptoms but do not pose a serious risk to human health. The bigger threat is to marine life and ecosystems. A report by a group of environmental experts released on July 24 said the algal bloom marked 'one of the worst marine disasters in living memory'. The report by Biodiversity Council, an independent expert group, warned that climate change is leading to marine heatwaves and increased risk of flooding that are creating conditions in which algal blooms can thrive. It called for the federal government to curb carbon emissions, invest in research to identify species in need of immediate intervention, and establish a monitoring programme for the Great Southern Reef, which stretches 8,000km along the country's south coast. 'This algal bloom is a devastating example of how climate change has supercharged the potential for marine catastrophes,' it noted. The federal and South Australian governments recently announced assistance packages totalling A$28 million to invest in research, clean-ups and support for the fishing and tourism industries. A report by a group of environmental experts released on July 24 said the algal bloom marked 'one of the worst marine disasters in living memory'. PHOTO: GREAT SOUTHERN REEF FOUNDATION IN AUSTRALIA But the Federal Minister for the Environment and Water, Mr Murray Watt, rejected calls to declare the event a natural disaster, saying this declaration – which triggers funding – is used for events such as floods, cyclones and bush fires. 'This is an unprecedented event, and one of the difficulties has been understanding exactly what its impacts are and what sort of response is required,' he told reporters. Experts believe the bloom will be reduced over the remaining winter months but could worsen in the coming summer as water temperatures increase. Mr Bowley, who moved to the Stansbury area with his wife to start oyster farming because its water was so pristine, now fears his business has no future. He wonders whether future generations will be able to swim in the local waters. 'The water is brown and green – it's very dirty and smells very bad,' he said. 'I've never seen anything like it. We don't know what exactly caused this bloom, much less how we will avoid it in the future.'
