Wednesday, January 02, 2008

First Day in School

B3 is in Primary 1 and B2 in Secondary One. Both schools are close by. Not sure if neighbourhood school is a good idea. My neighbour has a strong opinion that primary school is very important for the child development. Her view is that if you go to the right primary school, then you will be set for life. She went to Ai Tong and she is one of the two in her peer groups of friends and neighbours who finished University. She thinks for a moment and then tell me that the highest level of qualifications her peers who goes to neighbourhood school is "O" level or Secondary 4. Ai Tong today is a popular primary school and is extremely difficult to enter.

It is funny feeling to see my baby now going to proper school. He is growing up. B1 will be sitting for his "O" level this year. Yes, my boys are growing up and up. Hard to describe the mix of joy and anticipation plus worry for their future. Are they going to be ready to face the global changes that is taking place now? Will there be jobs or must they become entreprenuers? I was thinking of my father who drove pirated taxi, trade in groceries and basically doing anything that earn him money for day-to-day living. Jobs are becoming polarised. It is either high paying or minimum wage. There are less and less jobs supporting middle class lifestyle like managers, engineers, foremen or technicians. High paying jobs or professions are doctors, dentists, architects, CEOs, stockbrokers or lawyers are for select few. Millions will be stuck at factory jobs or waiting at the tables or cleaning or general labour.

What will the future be for my boys? Only time will tell...

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