Mental well-being overtakes academic grades in parents’ priorities

It also found that 38% of Singaporeans consider a university degree only moderately important.

Mental well-being (40%) and communication and collaboration skills (37%) have overtaken academic grades as the top priorities Singaporean parents have for their children’s future success, according to a new study by market research firm Milieu Insight.

Whilst 73% of respondents said they were satisfied with the education system, many expressed concern about academic stress and questioned the necessity of tuition and university degrees.

Parents aged 25–34 were the biggest investors in tuition, with half reporting their children spend 4–6 hours a week in classes and 40% spending between $300 and $499 monthly. Yet only 40% believed academic performance would drop significantly if tuition were unavailable — a sign of changing perceptions about its value.

The study also found that 38% of Singaporeans consider a university degree only moderately important, with alternative paths such as apprenticeships, skills-based workshops, and entrepreneurship gaining traction.

Nearly 60% said the rise of non-traditional careers like YouTubers and TikTokers has made degrees seem less essential for success.