Art enrichment centres are reporting a rise in demand for programmes designed to prepare primary school students for the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme. While more parents are seeking specialised coaching to help their children build portfolios and secure early placements in secondary schools, educators and providers are warning of the risks of student burnout. Industry experts caution that excessive pressure and rigorous training schedules can diminish a child’s natural creativity and enthusiasm, stressing that genuine passion must remain central to the learning process.
- Enrichment centres have seen increased inquiries and enrolment for DSA-focused visual and performing arts programmes.
- Courses typically focus on portfolio curation, technical skill refinement, and preparing students for interviews and auditions.
- Operators warn that intense preparation regimes and high parental expectations can lead to mental fatigue and stress in primary school children.
- Educators emphasize that students should only pursue DSA through the arts if they hold an authentic interest in the discipline, rather than solely as a strategy for academic entry.
Based in Singapore, CNA (Channel News Asia) covers global developments with an Asian perspective, with correspondents based in major cities across Asia, including Kuala Lumpur, Jakarta, Bangkok, Tokyo, Seoul and Beijing, as well as in New York, Washington D.C. and London.
Official website: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/
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