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Jane Ng

Senior Correspondent

Jane joined The Straits Times more than 20 years ago and has experience in education, parenting and lifestyle stories. She took a seven-year career break to do freelance writing and be home with her kids, and returned to the newsroom in 2021. Having been on both sides of the fence, she has gained a fresh outlook on working while mothering and tries to bring that dual perspective to her stories.

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Latest articles

How to get ready for Primary 1 without preparatory classes or assessment books

Madam Nasrin Shah Beevi and her husband, Mr Nizamudheen Ishak role-playing as a cashier, selling food items to their six-year-old daughter, Nur Zahirah Nizamudheen.
Madam Nasrin Shah Beevi and her husband, Mr Nizamudheen Ishak role-playing as a cashier, selling food items to their six-year-old daughter, Nur Zahirah Nizamudheen.

Minor Issues: What I wish I knew before my children entered primary school

To foster the love of learning, parents can follow a child’s interests, celebrate effort instead of perfection, and allow imaginative and outdoor play.
To foster the love of learning, parents can follow a child’s interests, celebrate effort instead of perfection, and allow imaginative and outdoor play.

All aboard: Make memories at Gardens by the Bay’s Christmas Train Show

A model train travelling across a botanical model of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge during the preview of the Christmas Train Show at Gardens by the Bay.
A model train travelling across a botanical model of San Francisco's Golden Gate Bridge during the preview of the Christmas Train Show at Gardens by the Bay.

Want children to learn better? Get them to do active learning

Children paint on leaves and decorate them before hanging their works of art out to dry during an outdoor playdate organised by Madam Nurul Aqilah Zakaria.
Children paint on leaves and decorate them before hanging their works of art out to dry during an outdoor playdate organised by Madam Nurul Aqilah Zakaria.

Take fewer subjects in upper secondary, have more time for personal interests

More time for rest, rejuvenation, and revision with fewer subjects
More time for rest, rejuvenation, and revision with fewer subjects

More students likely to take seven subjects in Sec 3, with revised JC admission criteria

secondary school subject selection
secondary school subject selection

Dyscalculia: Could struggling with mathematics point to a learning difficulty?

Asian Chinese little girl writing on blackboard in the classroom.
Asian Chinese little girl writing on blackboard in the classroom.

Minor Issues: To my daughter, secondary school prepares you for life, not just exams

No matter your O-level results, the values you picked up in the last four years will guide you through life.
No matter your O-level results, the values you picked up in the last four years will guide you through life.

School Spotlight: Xingnan Primary pupils partner industry experts to design learning space

jndesign14/ST20250829_202535500757/Ng Sor Luan/Clockwise from left (front row): Serena Wei, 12, Syaurah binte Ziad As-Samet, 12, Nur Zara Arissa, 12, Muhd Shauqi, 12 and Guo Zi Xuan, 12 from Xingnan Primary worked with architects to design a learning space in their school, learning about concepts like design thinking and how to balance style and function.
jndesign14/ST20250829_202535500757/Ng Sor Luan/Clockwise from left (front row): Serena Wei, 12, Syaurah binte Ziad As-Samet, 12, Nur Zara Arissa, 12, Muhd Shauqi, 12 and Guo Zi Xuan, 12 from Xingnan Primary worked with architects to design a learning space in their school, learning about concepts like design thinking and how to balance style and function.

Minor Issues: Lessons my teenager learnt from his first holiday with friends, sans parents

The trip strengthened their friendships as they learnt more about one another, and each person’s likes and dislikes.
The trip strengthened their friendships as they learnt more about one another, and each person’s likes and dislikes.

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MDDI (P) 046/10/2025. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No.202120748H. Copyright © 2025 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.