I very strongly feel that calculators should NOT be allowed in the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE).

As quoted from the press release, “The calculator is a tool to help pupils with their computations. There will be no change in the question types, the number of questions for each type, or the level of difficulty of the questions.” This means that the questions would be simple enough to be done without a calculator as the many generations have done before them. It is this simplicity that allows for training to be fast and accurate when it comes to mathematics, a skill that is critical as one move up the education pathway in Singapore. If a primary school kid is to move to secondary school without a strong foundation in this skill, it would be really difficult for him to survive, as speed and accuracy is essential in all the subjects, not just mathematics up in further education.

Also, introduction of calculators may also mean over-reliance on these machines. No more memorizing of time-tables, no more familiarization of the common numbers that aids in increasing the reaction speed of people when it comes to daily arithmetic. This over-reliance would instill a mentality in the children that the answer is as such because the calculator said so, mathematics exists because of the calculator, which is not true! The calculator only exists because mathematics exists. With this new mentality, the essence of mathematics would be lost by this over-reliance on calculators, mathematics would be taken for granted.

Lastly, the introduction of calculators may bring a negative attitude in the students. Whenever a student is unable to calculate a sum, he consults the calculator; it is a simple task to do. This constant consultation may bring about the idea that everything in life would work out, which is not true about life. Life brings about challenges and obstacles that do not just work out this simply. This constant reminder of convenience may cause the students to feel despair easily later on in life, when they face much bigger problems. This is due to the fact that they have not gone through many hardships in their course of learning as they were taught to find the “easy way out” but consulting machines. 0 comments