Students who have been through the Singapore education landscape may have attended an Adam Khoo workshop or two before.
Some go for the sessions organised by their schools, others are sent to the centre by their parents.
However, the activities conducted in reflection sessions can sometimes be dark, according to an ex-student who recounted his experience in a Twitter tweet.
With the students congregated in a room, all traces of light were turned off and slow, calming music came into play.
The 16-year-olds were then hushed down and told to close their eyes for a reflection activity — visualising their parents on their deathbeds.
As shocking as this may sound, the exercise was allegedly carried out to motivate them to study harder and excel in their examinations so they wouldn’t let their parents down.
Others also shared their experiences with the motivational workshop.
One, in particular, called the activities “emotional blackmail” as they seemed to guilt-trip students into studying hard for their examinations.
On a lighter note, other ex-students also shared their nostalgic memories of the workshops.
The following 2 alumnus recounted being so touched and impacted by the activities that they teared up.
With the competitive education landscape in Singapore, it is no surprise that everyone is vying to be the top.
For parents, regardless of whether their children are high achievers or slow learners, many feel the need to send them to places — anywhere that can potentially help their children score better academically.
Learning centres in Singapore have hence evolved to meet such demands of parents with their vigorous tuition plans and their you-can-do-it motivational talks.
When parents send their children to such workshops, they are sure to have good intentions.
But what does it take for students to be truly motivated for better grades? Is guilt-tripping a good way to do so?
Sound your views out in the comments below.
Featured image from Twitter.
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