Singapore, Jan. 18 -- It is commendable that Xinmin Secondary School student Aqil Nasran Shah Nizam Shah managed to do well for his O-level examinations despite the odds (Student who had to skip meals savours success, Jan 14). At the same time, I'm concerned whether he might have slipped through the cracks.
The Straits Times reported that he once collapsed during assembly, and it was attributed to the financial difficulties he and his family faced. His teacher helped by buying him bread, and his classmates offered to buy him meals.
I was touched by the kindness shown by his teacher and friends, but I wondered if the school management or social services were aware of his plight and provided him with more systemic solutions, such as finan...