By Santokh Singh

WHAT a father could not achieve for almost a decade, the H1N1 virus did in just one visit.

For some time now, I had asked for remedial classes in schools to be more focused - that they should not be the all-inclusive solution to education's academic problems.

Parents like me had called, most of all, for the cancellation of a structured remedial programme for all students. These pleas had fallen mostly on deaf ears. Yet, all it took was one visit from Mr H1N1.

Now suddenly, most schools have suspended all structured, level-wide remedial programmes, with possibly the exception of graduating classes.

Well, my kids' schools have done so. Yes, the schools finally had the courage (or should I say fear of H1N1) to cancel remedial classes.

Focus

In a letter to parents, my daughter's primary school principal said: 'Supplementary classes will now focus on small group remediation for pupils who need that extra help to improve their performance.'

Magic words that had been bandied about by several parents for years but, somehow, not heard by these same educators.

The letter went on to say something even more telling of these remedial classes.

'Supplementary classes for Primary 3 are suspended until further notice.'

There are a couple of questions that arise.

If supplementary classes can be suspended now, could they not have been suspended in the past? Then again, if there can be focus group lessons for those who need them in Pri4, 5 and 6, then why not in Pri 3? Or for that matter Pri 1 and 2?

In this school, supplementary classes for Primary 6 students will continue as normal.

The extended mass gathering of Primary 6 pupils, regardless of the H1N1 virus infection risk, will continue. Even if the pupils are asked to sit apart, in designated places and go for staggered breaks and are not allowed to congregate in groups.

As a parent, if there is one child I would like to keep illness-free this year, it would be the one taking a national examination such as PSLE or the GCE O levels.

Is it logical for schools to focus on graduating classes for remedial lessons? Even then, the entire level? Is it fair to the weaker students in the other levels to be left out?

Would it not be logical, and more productive, to focus on only the weaker students from every level?

Then they would be in smaller numbers, at different levels of the school and more spread out. And those who really need the lessons will get them.

Whatever the outcome, for now, I am happy. I thank Mr H1N1 for allowing me to spend more quality time after school with my kids.

This article was first published in The New Paper.