Jason in National Service

Every Singapore Son must serve their National Service (NS) for 2 years and go through 2 months of Basic Military Training (BMT).

Jas was enlisted on 10 August 2013 and like any parents, we were anxious for him but knowing that so many boys have gone though BMT and survived the tough 1st 2 months of BMT, we were more comforted by it.

I also watch the video, Every Singapore Son by MINDEF, so I was able to appreciate what Jas would be going through.
( http://www.mindef.gov.sg/everysingaporeanson/about/ess1.html )

Of course, the local movies like Boys to Men, helped too.
( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ah_Boys_to_Men )

We are supportive of it and it is best to spend time preparing for it than to loathe over it.

It is a good idea that MINDEF invited the family to send him off at Pulau Tekong when he was enlisted that day. So find the time to send your son off.

Luckily, Jas has his head shaved before to support the cancer campaign, Hair For Hope, so we are not so shocked to see him 'botak' .....

So we saw a transformation of Jas in his new recruit look, the bulky backpack is quite shocking and he was really well equipped by the military...eg toothpaste, floss, etc...

It is best to check with friends whose sons have been through the BMT and find out what additional stuff to bring into Tekong besides the list of items given; eg clothe peg, Febreeze...... etc...

He was kept in Tekong for 2 weeks but could make calls to us on his mobile every night.

After 2 months of BMT, we attended his Passing Out Parade at Sembawang Camp. Unfortunately, it rained and they have to march and stand in the rain.

We are so proud of Jas and his fellow recruits too.

 

Jas has been assigned to be an Aviation Material Specialist (AMS), ie store man and logistic staff. He is attending specialist training at Air Force Training Command (AFTC) at Paya Lebar camp now.

 

As parents, we will be concerned about how our sons can cope with BMT etc.... but just bear in mind that many Singaporean sons have gone through it.

 

So be supportive and help your son prepared for his BMT and we have to do our part too......that is washing his dirty laundry when he books out and get them cleaned and ironed for his book in.

Besides being trained to defend the country, I see some positive changes in him as they are taught to be disciplined and it is definitely a rite of passage from boys to men indeed.

Is There A Need For Tuition?

There has been a lot of debate on whether there is a need for tuition lately so here are my thoughts and experience with Jason, our only child and going to be 21 next year...!

During his Primary school days, we insisted on him getting some tuition class on Mandarin since we do not speak the language at home but we felt that it was important since we are Chinese by race and with China opening up to the world.

I think Jas did not really enjoy the language so much and struggled with it.

I observe that kids tend not to have problem with Mandarin if it is spoken at home.

Tuition for Mandarin continued during his secondary school days.

Much to our surprise, Jas himself asked for tuition for his other subjects and we agreed to it.

Looking back, if not for the tuition classes, I doubt he would have time to study as he was so involved in his school CCA; eg. Peer Leadership, soccer and athletics so he is busy with his CCA almost every afternoons after school.

Even one of his tuition teacher has told us that he was too tired for his tuition class in the evenings.

I believe there is a need for tuition but it should not be enforced on the child if he or she is doing fairly well and did not ask for further help.

Jason failed in his History during his preliminary exam for his O level in Sec 4 and requested for tuition. We were very lucky to have gotten a very good History teacher who was recommended by his other tuition teacher. In fact, the history teacher was not really keen to tutor Jas but doing it more of a favour for her friend.

Jas got a distinction from fail in the final O level exam.

I conclude that there is a need for tuition depending on the students needs and I think we should not hold the school teachers entirely responsible for the students performance.

Some students really needs help outside the class for whatever reasons; eg slow learner or not all teachers are guaranteed to be good one too.

However, for those already doing above average in their exam., then parents should really consider carefully the necessity for further tuition classes.

There is no one size fit all; ie either have or no tuition for the child.... it should be based on a need basis.

Of course, if parents could help out with some of the subjects, it would be ideal; eg we helped Jas with some of his Maths problems, and even Accounting and IT related subjects when he was in Poly.