Inspite of my worries about the school hours that I wrote about earlier...which did get a fast response from the VP as my son is allowed to have a snack around noon now, I do find Ngee Ann Primary an excellent school. The academic standard is definitely high, but overall I find it very well balanced. Yes he does have time to nap and play

I went to speak to my son’s form teacher this afternoon. She says that the school has already received some feedback about the long school hours and they are looking into it. There is supposed to be some "changes" (not sure what!) but only from NEXT YEAR, so for the rest of this year it looks like nothing will be done?


When I asked about letting the kids take a snack in class, she said it was difficult for her to promise as it is not the school policy yet.

She did encourage me to give feedback directly to the principal or VP, so please do give your feedback! If enough of us write in, I’m sure they will have to do something earlier! Within THIS year!

I can see that many of us have the same issues! I am meeting up with my son’s form teacher later to talk about some issues. The suggestion to have a mini-break for some snacks and water is a good one. I’m not sure if the school will be willing to have such a major change as shortening school hours. I’ll talk to her and let all of you know the outcome.


When my son first started out in P1, they were not even allowed to drink water while waiting for the bus. After we fed back to the school at least this is no longer an issue! Hopefully they will consider an additional 10-15min break in class.

Hi, just wondering if any of the other parents with kids in P1 have the same problem? With the introduction of the PALS programme, the P1 school hours have become really long, from 7.30am to 1.45pm most days. There is only a 30min break at 10.15 for recess.


My poor son has to wake up at 6am to be ready for the school bus at 6.30am. He eats slowly so has only a cup of Pediasure and a slice of bread or a scrambled egg at 6.15am. We pack sandwiches for him at recess but he is either but he is either busy playing or talking to friends and he takes only 1 - 2 bites! By the time he returns from school on the bus it’s already 2.30pm. He only has lunch at about 3pm or so after dilly-dallying a bit. That’s a good 9 hours between proper meals!!

Dinner has to be at 7.30pm latest so he can get to bed by 8.30pm to get enough hours of sleep.

For a 6 year old who is just adapting to P1 life I feel it’s really tough. He has to learn how to wake up super early, gulp breakfast at an unearthly hour, learn to go to toilet and eat fast at recess and have a super late lunch, followed by dinner 4 hours later!

Working adults have a decent lunch hour and I’m sure no one expects to eat breakfast at 6.15am, then lunch at 3pm! I know there’s been some feedback to the principal but what can the school do? MOE expects schools to function this way.

Sorry for this long post…just wanted to find out if there are other parents facing similar problems…

My son has already lost >2kg since starting P1 by the way.

Thank you very much for all the advice! I guess I'll pack Part 1a workbook and activity book and see which one he comes back with . Getting excited and kan cheong at the same time!


Happy New Year and best wishes to all parents and children of Ngee Ann Primary!!!

Can I check which Maths book should be brought to school on Day 1? There’s a pupil’s workbook and pupil’s activity book Part 1a and 1b, but I don’t see an activity book Part 1 and 2??? I think I’m a confused mum!!