A recent survey shows that a large majority of Singaporean parents consider private tuition essential. At the same time, almost eight in ten respondents said they would reduce academic pressure if the Primary School Leaving Examination were optional. Parents indicated a desire for a less stressful schooling environment. Despite this, they still view tuition as a necessary supplement to formal education. The findings reveal a tension between the perceived need for extra lessons and the wish to lessen exam pressure. The results suggest policymakers may need to balance these competing concerns.