Are We Loving Our Kids
Or Stressing Them Out?
The uncomfortable truth about Singapore's $1.8B tuition culture, why 1 in 3 youth are struggling, and what we can do differently.
In 2025, 37,926 Primary 6 students sat for the PSLE. Behind them stands an industry worth $1.8 billion — and a generation where 1 in 3 youth report struggling with stress, anxiety, or low mood.
This isn't an article about whether tuition is "good" or "bad." It's a data-driven guide to help you understand the real pressures your child faces, recognize warning signs of burnout, and make informed decisions about how much is too much.
"My daughter used to love reading. She would devour books — story books, comics, anything. Then P5 came. Tuition on Monday, Wednesday, Friday. Assessment books every weekend. By P6, she told me: 'Mummy, I hate books now.'"
— A mother's reflection shared on a Singapore parenting forum
If this story sounds familiar, you're not alone. Across Singapore, from Jurong to Tampines, Woodlands to Bedok, parents are asking themselves the same question: "Am I doing enough? Or am I doing too much?"
The Numbers Don't Lie
📊 Singapore's Education Pressure at a Glance
💡Singapore ranks #1 globally in PISA scores — but also has one of the lowest stress resistance levels among OECD countries.
Source: OECD Education GPS
The $1.8 Billion Tuition Industry
Singapore's private tuition industry has grown from $650 million in 2008 to $1.8 billion in 2023 — a 177% increase in 15 years. By 2025, spending is projected to exceed $2.14 billion.
Tuition Industry Growth
Source: Singapore Department of Statistics (Household Expenditure Survey 2023)
💰 What Tuition Actually Costs in 2026
Primary School
Secondary School
Junior College
Source: Aspirer Tutor
📊 The Income Gap in Tuition
Top 20% Earners
$162.60
per month on tuition
Bottom 20% Earners
$36.30
per month on tuition
That's a 4.5x difference
Source: NIE/NTU Singapore
The Mental Health Crisis: IMH's Alarming Findings
In September 2024, the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) released the National Youth Mental Health Study — the largest study of its kind in Singapore. The findings were sobering.
IMH Study Findings (2024)
National Youth Mental Health Study | Ages 15-35
14.9%
Severe Depression
Highest in 20-24 age group (20.9%)
27.0%
Severe Anxiety
Higher in females (28.9%)
12.9%
Severe Stress
Often linked to academics
⚠️1 in 3 youth did NOT seek help, despite having severe symptoms
📎 Source: Mothership / IMH | Full Study (ScienceDirect)
Academic Impact of Mental Health Issues
According to a Duke-NUS and IMH survey, depression and anxiety symptoms among Singaporean youths have resulted in them:
190 hours
School Missed
(~24 school days)
63%
Performance Drop
Estimated decline
Source: Duke-NUS
Warning Signs: Is Your Child Burning Out?
Burnout isn't the same as ordinary tiredness. It's persistent exhaustion that doesn't improve with rest. Here's how to recognize it:
Physical Signs
- •Frequent headaches or stomachaches
- •Sleep problems (insomnia, nightmares)
- •Changes in appetite
- •Tired even after good sleep
Emotional Signs
- •Mood swings or irritability
- •Withdrawal from family/friends
- •Catastrophic thinking ("My future is ruined")
- •Hopelessness or negative self-talk
Academic Signs
- •Grades plateau or dip despite more study
- •Resistance to studying
- •Lost interest in once-loved subjects
- •Sensitivity to any criticism
Sources: Curious Mindz, A Space Between
Real Parent Voices
From Singapore parenting forums and communities — these are real struggles, real questions.
"My son cried when he got 85 for Math. I asked why, he said his friends all got 90+. He's 9 years old. When did 85 become something to cry about?"
— Parent of P3 student
"We stopped all tuition in P5. Everyone thought we were crazy. My daughter's grades dropped a bit, but she started drawing again, playing with friends again. She smiles more now. Worth it."
— Mother who chose a different path
"I have 3 kids in tuition — that's $1,200/month. My husband and I skip holidays, eat at hawker centres, all so they can keep up. Sometimes I wonder if we're doing this for them or for us."
— Working mother of three
💭 Sound familiar? You're not alone. These conversations happen in kopitiam, WhatsApp groups, and quiet moments when parents wonder if they're getting it right.
Singapore vs The World: A Comparison
Singapore ranks #1 in PISA scores globally — but at what cost? Let's compare with other high-performing countries.
Singapore
PISA Rank: #1 | Stress Index: HIGH575
PISA Score
9.4h
Homework/week
80%
In tuition
LOW
Stress resistance
Finland
PISA Rank: Top 10 | Stress Index: LOW520
PISA Score
3h
Homework/week
~5%
In tuition
HIGH
Stress resistance
"Finland proves high pressure isn't the only path to achievement."
South Korea
PISA Rank: Top 10 | Stress Index: VERY HIGH527
PISA Score
24h
Study + hagwon/week
~75%
In hagwons
LOW
Stress resistance
Japan
PISA Rank: #3 | Stress Index: MODERATE536
PISA Score
8h
Homework/week
~58%
In juku (cram)
MODERATE
Stress resistance
Sources: OECD Education GPS, Quartz, Puro Diary
What MOE Is Doing to Reduce Pressure
The Ministry of Education has acknowledged the pressure and implemented several initiatives:
Mid-Year Exams Removed (2023)
Since 2023, mid-year examinations have been removed for all primary and secondary students. JC followed in 2024.
"The removal is aimed at freeing up time to pace out learning and support more varied learning activities."
Source: MOE
No Exams for P1 & P2
Primary 1 and Primary 2 students have no tests or examinations at all. This allows young children to adapt to school without exam pressure.
PSLE Scoring System Change (2021)
The shift from T-scores to Achievement Levels (AL) was designed to reduce fine differentiation and the "every mark counts" mentality.
Learn for Life Movement
MOE's broader initiative to nurture students as confident and self-directed learners, not just exam-takers.
Source: MOE Schoolbag
But Here's the Problem...
When MOE removed mid-year examinations, some parents turned to tuition centres that provide mock mid-year examinations — running counter to the shifts the education system is trying to make.
"If parents are overly anxious about grades, children will not understand the intrinsic value of learning."
Source: MHIN Innovation
What Parents Can Actually Do
This isn't about being an "easy parent" or lowering standards. It's about smart, sustainable support that doesn't burn your child out.
Set Boundaries on Study Time
Quality over quantity. Short, focused sessions with breaks are more effective than marathon study sessions. Aim for age-appropriate limits:
- • P1-P2: 30 min - 1 hour
- • P3-P4: 1 - 1.5 hours
- • P5-P6: 1.5 - 2 hours
Protect Non-Academic Time
Hobbies and interests provide outlets for stress and remind children that there's life beyond the classroom. Sports, music, art — keep at least one.
Talk About Effort, Not Just Results
Praise the process, not just the outcome. "I'm proud of how hard you studied" is better than "I'm proud you got an A."
Teach Stress Management
Simple breathing exercises or guided imagery can activate the parasympathetic nervous system and reduce anxiety in minutes.
Evaluate Tuition Critically
Ask yourself: Is this tuition filling a genuine gap, or is it driven by anxiety? More tuition ≠ better grades if your child is already overloaded.
Seek Help Early
If you see warning signs, don't wait. School counsellors, psychologists, and the IMH CHAT service are there to help.
Honest Questions to Ask Yourself
No judgment here — just questions worth sitting with.
When was the last time my child laughed — really laughed — about something unrelated to school?
Is this tuition filling a real gap, or am I signing up because "everyone else is doing it"?
Do I celebrate my child's effort, or only their results?
Am I preparing my child for a successful life, or just a successful PSLE?
In 10 years, what do I want my child to remember about their primary school days?
MOE Director-General of Education
On keeping PSLE in perspective
"The Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) is an important checkpoint, but we cannot let it consume us. If we attach too much significance to the examination, it will grow to become a trial of frightening disproportions, and our children will be daunted and afraid."
Source: Mothership
A Letter to Singapore Parents
Dear fellow parent,
We get it. The pressure is real. When every other kid in class has tuition, when WhatsApp groups are buzzing about which enrichment centre is "the best," when your colleague's child just scored AL1 for everything — it's hard not to feel like you're falling behind.
But here's what the data tells us: Singapore's education system produces world-class results. We rank #1 globally. And yet, 1 in 3 of our youth report struggling with stress, anxiety, or low mood.
Something doesn't add up.
80% of our kids are in tuition. We spend $1.8 billion a year on it. But are we helping them succeed, or are we slowly burning them out?
"The goal was never to raise stressed-out straight-A students. It was to raise happy, capable adults who love learning."
Your child doesn't need to be perfect. They need to be okay. They need to know that their worth isn't measured by their PSLE score. They need a parent who asks "How are you feeling?" just as often as "How was your test?"
We're not saying don't push your kids. We're saying check in on them. Make sure the chase for grades isn't costing them their sleep, their friendships, or that spark in their eyes when they learn something new.
With love and concern,
— SGSchoolKaki Education Team
Related Resources
SGSchoolKaki Education Team
Ex-MOE Teachers, Private Tutors & Education Data Analysts with 15+ Years Combined Experience
Reviewed by: KW Phoon
Founder, BEng(Hons) in Computing Engineering
Data-Driven Education Platform