JD Lovrenciear wrote about the mushrooming tuition industry when our children are already attending school six hours a day. If you are adult who grew up in the 60s, 70s you would notice that the school work done by our children today is far more heavier than that we experienced in those days. In those days, we still had time to play after school, where the emphasis in primary education was on the 3Rs.

Fast forward. These days, the school curriculum is much heavier with children expected to be able to read and write when they enter Year One. I had the opportunity of peeking through a 15-year-old's textbook some time ago and I was surprised to read about university-level geology. I personally think that it is pointless to teach PMR students about continental drift and tectonic plates.

I also notice that co-curriculum activities like Scouts and sports are not actively promoted because it affects the children educational performance. How sad.

One thing I dread about Malaysians is that, as parents, they are competitive lot. They want the best for their children, enroll them in the best schools, then make them attend tuition classes and expect the children to be what the parents themselves wanted to be when they were young. Doctors, engineers, dentists, CEOs and whatever.

But do parent themselves ever realise that all work and no play does not make for a balanced, healthy life? We Malaysians need an overhaul in our attitude in that not everyone can be doctor or engineer and that all profession are useful and contribute to the country. We should not look down on the street sweeper and think of it as a lowly job because without them, the streets would be dirty.

If there is anyone or anything to blame, I would lay the blame squarely on the parents and the education system.