In the midst of much bad news—Covid infections and the war in Ukraine, for example—there’s been one piece of news that I’m sure has been greatly welcomed by many children and parents: no more mid-year exams for all primary and secondary school students by next year!

In its place, ongoing assessments will be used to help students identify what they can do well and what areas they need help in. Ultimately, it is believed, this approach will enable students to focus more on their learning and less on grades.

You’ll probably hate me for saying this: as a student, I actually liked having exams.

Why? Because when exams were being held, all other activities (like ECAs) would be put on hold, and I just needed to do two things—study, and take the exams. What’s more, I knew the exam period would end, and I could look forward to celebrating after. In my time, that meant hanging out at Orchard Road or going to MacDonald’s with my friends.

But while we may have differing feelings about exams, I believe most of us will agree that learning is more important than getting good grades.

The importance of learning is found in the Bible, too. In fact, the Word of God repeatedly exhorts us to have a heart of a learner. Take, for example, these verses from the book of Proverbs:

“Let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance.” (1:5)

“Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning.” (9:9)

“It is senseless to pay to educate a fool, since he has no heart for learning.” (17:16 NLT)

“Intelligent people are always ready to learn. Their ears are open for knowledge.” (18:15 NLT)

In the school of life, some of our “ongoing assessments” may come in the form of challenges. We might have to deal with a difficult colleague at work, or a tough situation at home that requires wisdom. And how well we handle these challenges will reflect how well we have learned from God in handling life.

Yet, like in the latest education changes, we are not “graded” by these challenges in life. No-one is going to see how we “perform”, and give us an “A”, “B”, or “C”.

Instead, because we have been accepted by God by His grace alone—and not by our performance—we can take these “ongoing assessments” with confidence, and see all of life’s challenges as learning opportunities. Every challenge is a time for God to nurture us in our spiritual growth, and a chance for us to learn to rely on Him and to seek His help to cope.

But there is one thing we can learn to do “better”—and that is to learn. How can we do that? By asking questions. As Bible teacher Ajith Fernando notes: “Wisdom is worth all the humiliation of acting as a learner. The humble learners did not look too confident in the crowd. But their commitment to learn helped them keep climbing so that, at the end, they had reached heights ‘confident’ people could never hope to reach.”

So, let’s be unafraid to ask questions as we study God’s Word together with His people. Whenever we are asking questions, we are learning. And, more importantly, let us ask those questions that will lead us to “understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:5).

Lord, thank You that in life, I don’t have to worry about “doing well”, for You have saved me by Your grace alone, and I can always rely on You. Please help to keep learning from my challenges and from Your Word, that I can grow closer to You and stronger in faith each day.

Author: Chia Poh Fang

Chia Poh Fang never dreamed of being in a language-related profession; chemistry was her first love. The turning point came when she received Jesus as her Saviour as a 15-year-old and expressed to Jesus that she would like to create books that touch lives. She serves with Our Daily Bread Ministries at the Singapore office as National Director.

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