MY DAUGHTER is in Primary 1 in a neighbourhood school. For her Semester Assessment 2 (SA2), also called year-end examination, I was astonished to find out there are six examinable subjects. Beside the three core subjects - English, Chinese and Mathematics - my daughter has to sit for another three 'Open-Book Exam', namely Social Education, Music and Art.

All these SA2 exams are spread across a two- to three-week period. I question the rationale behind having exams in all six subjects in the first year of primary education. Other than the three core subjects, the others are more to develop the individual, morally, socially and aesthetically. Although it is an open-book exam, it will put pupils and parents in a stressful situation.

As we are encouraging schools to 'teach less, learn more', heavy reliance on exams to assess students should be reviewed, particularly in subjects intended to help them appreciate the finer things in life and shape the morals of our children, our future. I would like to hear the views of the Ministry of Education.

Tan Sze-Tong

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 28 Oct, 2008.