SINGAPORE – Mr Chow Yi Tong was 14 years old when he failed his Secondary 1 year-end examinations at Zhonghua Secondary School in 1990 – on purpose.The extended bilingual stream student from the former Chong Shan Primary School wanted to stop schooling to support his single mother. She worked as a dishwasher, wet market stall holder and odd jobs to support him and his two brothers.His father had abandoned the family when he was around age six, which left them surviving hand to mouth with just one set of school uniform and one pair of shoes each. Meals in their three-room flat in Ang Mo Kio typically involved heating up instant noodles topped with an egg.“I saw my mum having difficulties like raising extra money to support us or buy school textbooks for my older brother,” says Mr Chow, now 49, whose brothers are one year older and three years younger than him.“So, I made the decision to quit school at a young age to support the family. At the time, I was also mentally disengaged and preparing to start working.”
Saturday 7 February 2026
asiaone - 21 days ago
School of life: He quit school at 14, worked 3 jobs to support family and got an MBA at 46
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