In 2023, after an extensive search, my husband and I found a preschool for our 4-year-old daughter, Brea. However, the enrollment process shed light on early education expectations. The principal's inquiry about Brea's literacy level highlighted the importance of early skills that contribute to school readiness.
As I hesitantly admitted that Brea couldn't yet write the alphabet or numbers, a pang of guilt washed over me. Despite juggling a full-time job and caring for three children, I had relied on my aunt, doubling as our household helper, to teach the basics. Naively, I had assumed this was sufficient.
Yet, the reality of early education standards today dawned upon me. A certain level of literacy is expected by the age of four, determining class placement and potentially setting the stage for future academic challenges. Those who fall short may face an uphill battle to bridge the gap and match their peers' proficiency. Thankfully, Brea's teachers were quick to address any disparities once she began school.
My husband and I count ourselves fortunate to afford private education for our children. We were also able to provide additional support by hiring a private tutor for our eldest, who struggled with math. Reflecting on this, we realised our privilege in being able to afford such personalised attention. But I couldn't shake the thought of less fortunate parents reliant on public schools. With large class sizes and limited resources, how many children might slip through the cracks?
Did you know that by the age of 8, children are expected to master writing their ABCs and by the age of 10, they should have mastered the multiplication table up to 9? However, GG found out that a startling 1 out of 3 students aged 9-12 in their programmes grapple with these fundamental skills!
And that’s what Yayasan Generasi Gemilang (GG) aims to address. Through the dedicated support of volunteers, they aim to provide personalised attention to underserved students, helping them strengthen their understanding of their ABCs and mathematical concepts such as addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
They say not all superheroes wear capes, some volunteer. You can be that superhero these children need and deserve. Sign up now to volunteer.
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