extracted from Stforum.
I RECEIVED a last-minute SMS requesting my presence at my mother's
place last Thursday night, to cut my god-daughter's birthday cake.
But I was certain the celebration was to have been held, with
family and close friends, on Saturday. What went wrong? This
question bothered me the whole day at work.
Nevertheless, I played along. Our families met at my mum's, we had
dinner and the story was explained.
Now eat this...
My god-daughter (who has just turned five) was not allowed to cut
her birthday cake in kindergarten. The reason was that the
programme for the day was tight and the 'school' had to complete
its curriculum.
My sister called the school, at the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual
Succour in Changi Road, to plead with the teachers and principal to
allow a 10-minute interval to cut the cake and distribute some
goodie bags, which her daughter so wanted to share with her
classmates, but was sadly denied.
What has become of our play schools? Are children put under a tight
timetable at such an early age? Who monitors or regulates their
curriculum? Can't children celebrate their birthday in school any
more?
Joseph Gerard
