If your child is in Secondary 1 to 4, you may already know the feeling.
One poor Math test suddenly raises questions about tuition. A weaker Science grade makes you wonder whether your child is falling behind. By Secondary 3 and 4, the pressure grows further as subject combinations, O-Levels and post-secondary pathways come into view.
Yet at the same time, many Singapore parents also say they want something more than good grades.
They want their children to be confident, resilient, independent and happy.
A recent Institute of Policy Studies (IPS) study reported by CNA highlights this tension clearly: Singapore parents increasingly value holistic education, but academic concerns remain very strong.
Singapore Parents Want More Than Academic Results
The IPS survey found that 79% of parents agreed that children should be allowed to fail and learn from their mistakes, up from 62.2% in 2016.
When parents considered secondary schools, they placed high importance on:
- character and values
- discipline
- their child’s own preference
This suggests that many parents no longer define a “good school” purely by academic reputation.
For Secondary 1–4 students, this matters.
A teenager may perform better in a school environment where they feel supported, motivated and confident, rather than one chosen mainly because of prestige or competition.
But Grades Still Matter to Parents
Academic outcomes have not become unimportant.
The same survey showed that many parents still consider secondary-school cut-off points, national examination results, school branding and competitive environment when making decisions.
This is understandable.
For secondary-school students, grades can influence subject choices and progression to JC, polytechnic, ITE and other pathways.
The real challenge for parents is therefore not choosing between academic achievement and holistic development.
It is finding the right balance between the two.
Tuition Spending Has Increased Sharply
One of the most striking findings from the IPS study concerns tuition.
Nearly nine in 10 parents felt that children spend too much time on tuition and enrichment.
Yet 70.2% said they would spend more on tuition or enrichment if they had the financial resources.
Average monthly tuition spending among surveyed families increased from S$318 in 2016 to S$677 in 2026.
For parents of secondary-school students, this creates an important question:
Does my child actually need more tuition?
Instead of asking whether your child “should” have tuition, ask what specific problem tuition is supposed to solve.
Your child may need help because of:
- weak foundational knowledge
- difficulty understanding certain topics
- poor examination technique
- insufficient practice
- weak study habits
- low confidence in a subject
If there is a clear learning gap, targeted tuition can help.
But adding more classes simply because classmates are attending tuition may increase fatigue without solving the underlying problem.
Secondary School Should Also Build Independence
The secondary-school years are not only preparation for examinations.
They are also the years when students should gradually learn to take more responsibility for their own learning.
By Secondary 3 and 4, students should increasingly be able to:
- identify topics they do not understand
- plan their own revision
- seek help when necessary
- manage homework and deadlines
- learn from mistakes
- recover from disappointing results
Parents still play an important role, but that role can gradually shift from managing everything to coaching and supporting.
This is especially important before students move on to JC, polytechnic or ITE, where much greater independence is expected.
Is Your Child Actually Falling Behind?
Parents sometimes react strongly to a single disappointing test.
But one poor result does not necessarily mean a child is falling behind.
A more useful question is:
Is my child making progress over time?
For example, a student who improves from 50% to 65% while developing a genuine understanding of algebra may be progressing well.
Parents can look beyond raw marks and ask:
- Can my child explain the concept?
- Can they solve unfamiliar questions?
- Do they recognise their own mistakes?
- Are they becoming more independent?
- Are the same weaknesses appearing repeatedly?
These questions often give a better picture than comparing marks with classmates.
Grades Matter — But They Are Not Everything
Perhaps the most useful message from the IPS study for Secondary 1–4 parents is this:
Academic results matter, but they are only one part of your child’s development.
Strong foundations in English, Mathematics and Science can keep future educational options open.
At the same time, teenagers also need opportunities to develop resilience, communication skills, confidence and judgment.
Parents do not have to choose between supporting academic achievement and raising a well-rounded child.
The better goal is to provide enough academic support to address genuine weaknesses — while still allowing teenagers to make mistakes, solve problems and gradually take ownership of their education.
By the end of Secondary 4, a good outcome is not simply a strong set of examination results.
It is a young person who knows how to learn, how to respond to setbacks and when to ask for help.
For parents, that may be one of the most valuable forms of preparation for life after secondary school.
Based on an Institute of Policy Studies study on parental attitudes towards education, reported by CNA on 25 September 2026.