PSLE top scorers get down to earth after the euphoria

Snagging the highest scores does not necessarily mean a cushy future, they say

(Clockwise from top left) Mr Muhammad Saad Siddiqui, Dr Livia Teo, Ms Soh Qian Ying, and Ms Mridula Sairam. PHOTOS: DIOS VINCOY JR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES, BENJAMIN SEETOR, ALVIN HO, GIN TAY FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Ms Soh Qian Ying, 19, an alumna of RGS and RI, was among the top 10 in 2011, when the last batch of top PSLE pupils was announced. Mr Muhammad Saad Siddiqui, 21, was the top Indian pupil in 2009 with a PSLE score of 277. His achievement was recognise
Mr Muhammad Saad Siddiqui, 21, was the top Indian pupil in 2009 with a PSLE score of 277. His achievement was recognised in a poster that was put up in front of his school for the first six months of his Sec 1 year. The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) alumnus is studying human, social and political sciences at Cambridge University in September. PHOTO: DIOS VINCOY JR FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Ms Soh Qian Ying, 19, an alumna of RGS and RI, was among the top 10 in 2011, when the last batch of top PSLE pupils was announced. Mr Muhammad Saad Siddiqui, 21, was the top Indian pupil in 2009 with a PSLE score of 277. His achievement was recognise
Consultant ophthalmologist Livia Teo, a former Nanyang Primary pupil, had a PSLE score of 290. She was third in her cohort in 1993. ST PHOTO: BENJAMIN SEETOR
Ms Soh Qian Ying, 19, an alumna of RGS and RI, was among the top 10 in 2011, when the last batch of top PSLE pupils was announced. Mr Muhammad Saad Siddiqui, 21, was the top Indian pupil in 2009 with a PSLE score of 277. His achievement was recognise
Ms Soh Qian Ying, 19, an alumna of RGS and RI, was among the top 10 in 2011, when the last batch of top PSLE pupils was announced. ST PHOTO: ALVIN HO
Ms Soh Qian Ying, 19, an alumna of RGS and RI, was among the top 10 in 2011, when the last batch of top PSLE pupils was announced. Mr Muhammad Saad Siddiqui, 21, was the top Indian pupil in 2009 with a PSLE score of 277. His achievement was recognise
Aspiring management consultant Mridula Sairam, 21, was the top Indian pupil in 2008, with a PSLE score of 281. PHOTO: GIN TAY FOR THE STRAITS TIMES
Calvin Yang
Correspondent
Updated
Mar 12, 2018, 12:42 PM
Published
Mar 12, 2018, 05:00 AM
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

It should have been an overwhelming day for a 12-year-old with a shy smile, but Raffles Girls' Primary School pupil Rebecca Jeyaraj took the high-octane media attention and applause of her classmates all in her stride.

The reason for the adulation? Rebecca had topped her Primary School Leaving Examination cohort in 2006 with a score of 281.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

ST One Digital

 $9.90/month

No contract

ST app access on 1 mobile device

Subscribe now

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.

A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on March 12, 2018, with the headline PSLE top scorers get down to earth after the euphoria. Subscribe

Available for
iPhones and iPads
Available in
Google Play

MCI (P) 066/10/2023. Published by SPH Media Limited, Co. Regn. No. 202120748H. Copyright © 2024 SPH Media Limited. All rights reserved.

Back to the top