It's called the secondary school slump, and in my years as a teacher, I saw it happen over and over again. A child who does perfectly well in primary school enters secondary school, and his or her interest in learning seems to disappear. For whatever reason, many children seem to check out of the educational process during Secondary 1 to 3. Educator Cheri Fuller in her book, "Helping Your Child Succeed in Public School" suggests linking your child with a study buddy. Find a willing junior college student from your neighbourhood or nearby Family Service Centre and set up a regular schedule when they can meet together to provide tutoring, organisational help and encouragement. The truth of the matter is, most students catch fire again when the stresses of early adolescence have passed. That is the most difficult time of life for most of us, and that upheaval has a way of interfering with classroom work. So remember you heard it here: Better days are probably coming. This article featured in Today, 28 October 2009. http://imcms2.mediacorp.sg/CMSFileserver/documents/006/pdf/20091028/2810VOL04...