Ya know some people always say the non-academically inclined kids tend to be better at Art, PE, Music or Technical, the sorts which require them to do more hands on work than memorising facts or applying concepts. But really, I find many of these kids whom I teach, neither gifted or talented or exceptional in any area. I think to some of them, Art is just as difficult as Math and Music is as greek to them as Science; they don't enjoy PE because they get all sweaty after it, and Technical is difficult since it's usually project-based and they can't last through the entire ordeal. They are really simple people with average or less than average abilities, but exhibiting humanistic virtues.

For instance, they can react to failure very positively. It's easy for them to pick up the pieces from where they have left off and start anew. Letting go is never quite difficult for them, and they are receptive towards a wide range of different characters. Many of them are late developers, a childish entity inhibiting the body of an average Sec. 3 lad but with the mindset of perhaps a Sec. 1 or less.

What I find sadly annoying is by the time they "wake up", they are already some distance behind most of their peers, in Singapore's context of course. To get to a university in Singapore, it'll take them to ace ITE and Poly academics, which of course is an uphill task since they are competing with a very large cohort and only equipped with N level foundations.

Some of them gladly stay away from academics, resigned or reconciled with the fact that they are not the "study type". Yes, I have students who clean my classroom fans with such enthusiasm but couldn't be bothered to pass his Math.

Can you imagine a Sec. school life not studying for tests/exams? No homework as well? It must be real fun!!!