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I am moved by our Education Minister Chan Chun Sing’s response on plans to improve the Direct School Admission (DSA) system ( , Aug 22). Having friends with younger siblings made me realise the increased need for support for Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) pupils. The announcement of DSA results and the start of PSLE can be a source of anxiety. DSA is meant to give all pupils equal footing at securing a place in their desired secondary school, outside the academic walls of achievement. This includes talented children from low-income families with less access to financial resources and social connections. Mr Chan raised a crucial point about not wanting to see “only the very good ones end up doing a certain CCA (co-curricular activity)”. This can diminish opportunities for late bloomers who may not have had the resources to train and cultivate their strengths fairly. Schools should aim to balance achievements with nurturing individuals across the cohort. Peer pressure and separation add to the children’s worries. For those unsuccessful in their DSA outcomes, assurance from parents and teachers is vital in encouraging them to continue striving in their secondary years. While every school is a good school, we need to shift parents’ perspectives from prestige to progress. Junior College