In my letter ('Given head start in life, thanks to GEP education'; ST, Dec 29), I did mention that academic achievements cannot be the only measure of one's life achievements. While my daughter may have had a head start in her life, many of her cohort are equally successful citizens in both the public and private sectors in Singapore.

Being useful citizens can only benefit society. It is the dream of many parents that their children can be independent, sensible and have a high sense of social and personal conscience.

Depending from which angle we watch the younger generation today, many of the 11,500 GEP graduates work in the Government or statutory boards and hold responsible positions. This was evident in the most recent Straits Times publication on education and scholarships available from government agencies, profiling some GEP graduates and their achievements in their career and personal leadership.

As a civil servant, my daughter and many of her schoolmates joined the civil service way before its salary schemes were reformed to match the private sector on graduation. Money was not their No. 1 priority. They grow in their work, develop a strong social conscience and commitment to serve Singapore. They are objectively vocal on issues and are always ready to take responsibility for their actions.

Today, Singapore is better off with the several cohorts of GEP students who are trained to think intellectually with a positive life and work attitude. Attitude is everything in life and it is important to shape it from a young age.

The GEP scheme, with all its perceived flaws and negativity, did a pretty good job in shaping our young talents in the past 24 years. It is no longer an experiment. Perhaps the Ministry of Education can finetune the contents to meet the new challenges of today.

Parents, on their part, should be supportive in complementing their role as care providers to help children achieve early life skills in meeting society's complex challenges as they grow.

Personal leadership in one's life is important. One can only benefit society if one can handle one's own life properly. Then and only then, can one channel one's extra energy to help the less fortunate in society.

Aileen Tan Ai Ker (Ms)