mugging frenzy

I remember very clearly how I was taught to study when I was in an Indonesian school. The teachers will all write their notes numerically on the blackboard, and then the students will all diligently copy down whatever's on the board, number by number. The lessons will just be in silence. The teachers will talk occasionally, but most of the time just plain copying. Then, the examinations will come and we are required to memorise everything on our notebook and the exams will be tested according to whatever we have copied. Hence, in Indonesia at that time, it's not a matter of who is failing and who is passing; it's a matter of who will get full marks for that paper.

Competition was really tough.

I remember I used to have this enemy in primary 2 called Samantha or something (Yes, Indons have their Western moments too) and we used to be really competitive, especially during exams. Both of us were always vying for that number 1 spot. Moreover, I had a grand-aunt who was teaching in the same school and so I was expected to be number one. Well, I did but there was one time that I was loser-ish number 2 and I cried like a mad dog. She was boasting around of how she finally beat me.

Also, I remember how other teachers treated me. You'd think that I'd get special privileges because I had a family member teaching in the same school (I think my grand-aunt was HOD or something), you'd think wrong. I was under scrutiny since primary 1. If I get 98 out of 100, my teacher will tell my grand-aunt and I would be expected to answer on how I lost that 2 marks when I get home. Life is very much terrifying when I was in school.

I had tuitions too. Because I was living with my grandparents and they are busy with their work, I was sent to daycare. In Singapore terms - daycare. In my terms - to stay with another teacher in her house with her kids and then get tuition from her. Life was definitely miserable because she was very strict. Even if my penmanship had a 0.5cm deviation, I would get hit on the palm using a wooden ruler.

Then I grew up (meaning went to Primary 3) and my grandparents moved to a bigger house, which meant that I no longer have to live with that teacher (halelujah!). That was when life was very much sweeter. I was in the same class with this retainee guy, and I guess I liked him. HAHA. As a kid, liking someone is HUGE. And I was daring enough to write a "love" letter to him. And guess what, he replied and this went on till I moved to Singapore. The letters are all gone, because I was afraid my grandma would find out and so I threw every single one after reading them, but I still remember his phone number, till now! Puppy love definitely the sweetest because you are so innocent and just writing love letters already make you glee from ear to ear. =)

So now you still think Singapore education system is tough?