Students in S'pore Boys' Home excel in N-Levels, hope to overcome their past & succeed in future

Many N-Level students in Singapore would have been filled with anticipation for the release of their results on Dec. 18.

For two Secondary 4 (NA) students at Singapore Boys' Home, the day was extra special as a milestone in their journey to break free from a mottled past, marked with truancy, fights, and brushes with the law.

Mothership spoke to the boys, Jackson and Xavier (not their real names), about their experiences studying for the N-Levels in the Home, what the results mean to them, as well as their aspirations for the future.

Jackson's story

Jackson, 17, was an Express student at a local secondary school who fell into bad company.

When he was 14, he argued with his mother, ran away from home, and played truant for the most part of the year.

Jackson would spend his nights hanging out with friends, playing basketball, and taking joyrides on Personal Mobility Devices (PMDs).

He'd only sleep during the day.

Meanwhile, his grades plummeted from A2s and B3s, to E8s and F9s.

In 2024, he was charged with affray and placed on probation.

While recovering from a breakup, Jackson breached his probation by going out for night cycling with his friends.

He was subsequently sent to Singapore Boys' Home on a court order.

This proved to be a wake-up call for him.

"I'm pretty sure that I could tell what were the good influences and the bad influences. But at that point it's just that I wanted to hang on to the bad influences," said Jackson.

Some challenges he faced in the Home included the restricted television timings, lack of access to mobile phones, and strict regimentation, including regular muster calls.

But Jackson took these in his stride, believing it's important to "take charge" of himself.

To make the most of his time, he would work out regularly, and set aside time consistently to study in preparation for retaking his N-Levels.

This paid off as Jackson scored 8 points for his N-Levels, a night-and-day improvement from his previous score of 22.

When asked how he feels about the results, Jackson remarked, "Damn happy".

He plans to study law at a local polytechnic, become a lawyer, and let his mother retire early.

Another welcome change for Jackson is that he got closer to his mother and sister while in the Home.

He shared that he values their support and encouragement as they "haven't missed a single one" of the scheduled family visits to see him at the Home.

"I believe that they will all be waiting for me outside," he said.

Xavier's story

Xavier, 16, has had attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) from a young age.

His ADHD made it difficult to control his impulses, concentrate properly, or even sit still in class.

This led to him getting scolded by teachers, kicked out of class, and becoming "best friends" with his school discipline master.

At the age of 14, Xavier started skipping school. He'd mix with bad company and became involved in illicit activities.

"Each week, I would get into at least one fight," he said.

Subsequently, Xavier was charged in a cheating case and in May 2024, entered Singapore Boys' Home under a court order.

It was not all smooth sailing. He initially still got into fights at the Home, but as time passed, he began to change for the better.

Xavier credits his parents as his primary motivation to ask for help.

They consistently turned up for the scheduled parental visits at the Home, brought him out for meals during home leave, and never gave up on him, he said.

"They were always there for me. I don't want to disappoint them again," he said.

With the help of a team at Boys' Home – comprising teachers, medical professionals, psychologists, and rehabilitative specialists — Xavier started taking medication for his ADHD and worked on controlling his impulses.

He also became more intentional about repairing his relationship with family, as his time with them felt more precious.

Now, about one and a half years later, Xavier is no longer on medication as he feels confident in managing his impulses.

The smaller class sizes at the Home also benefitted Xavier, who felt more comfortable to ask questions in class.

In contrast to his earlier years where he felt like studies were "not important", Xavier began putting in the hours to prepare for his N-Level exams in October.

He even asked for extra consultations with his teachers to improve.

With a score of 17 points in his N-Levels, Xavier is applying for the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic Programme (DPP).

If successful, he will be admitted directly into a two-year Higher Nitec programme.

He hopes to study business in university, become an entrepreneur, and support his family.

When asked if he had a message to share with teens in similar situations, Xavier said, "There's a right way and a wrong way to achieve your dreams. So don't give up."

The other results

All 32 youths who took their GCE N-Levels with the MSF Youth Homes qualified for admission to ITE this year.

Among the Normal (Academic) students, seven qualified for the Direct-Entry-Scheme to Polytechnic (DPP), Secondary 5N(A), or Polytechnic Foundation Programme (PFP).

Many of the Normal (Technical) students also achieved distinctions.

Ow Kwok Leong, principal for education at the MSF Youth Homes, said each result is "a testimony to the determination, effort, and aspirations of our youths, and their desire to succeed".

“Each youth’s result reflects success on his or her own terms, achieved through their perseverance, with the steadfast support and guidance of their schools, families, and staff of MSF," said Ow.

"Today, we celebrate not just their N-Level results, but their journey of rehabilitation and growth.”

Top image from MSF