Even at Primary 1, I wasn’t an average performer, which was largely due to the motivation (fear probably more appropriate) my Mum gave me. She was a stay-at-home mum and spent plenty of time and effort to monitor my school work. We would do spelling from day till night until I got the entire list of words correct. Moreover, she had really high expectations of me. I would often get caned when I return home with a 98 mark for Math (the 2 marks lost are often due to Carelessness or if you know me by now, a tinge of Arrogance)

My Mum believed that academic excellence would give her children a significant advantage in life. This was also perhaps influenced by the fact that she was somewhat forced to stop her education after Secondary School to supplement her family’s income. She had good intentions, but I did feel miserable at times in those growing up years.

“John/Peter/Dumb/Dumber only scored 70 marks but their parents are so happy ...