Parents must set a "high bar" in the household, US President Barack Obama said as he recalled how his daughter Malia scored a 95 in a science test in school with a little bit of inspiration from him.
Marking the first anniversary of his election yesterday, the 48-year-old leader asked states to toughen their education standards and deviated from the prepared text of his speech to share a family story -- about the 11-year-old child.
"Even in our own household, with all the privileges and opportunities we have there are times when the kids slack off. There are times when they would rather be watching TV or playing a computer game than hitting the books," he said.
He said Malia, a sixth-grader at Sidwell Friends School here, had come home with a 73 on her science test some time ago. He said a few years ago, Malia had once scored in the 80s and felt she had "done pretty well" but was told by him and his wife that their goal was "90 per cent and up."
"She started internalising that" and with a 73, "she was depressed". Obama asked her what happened, and she said the study guide did not match up. Malia vowed to study harder.
"So she came home yesterday, she got a 95," Obama said. "But here's the point: She said, 'You know, I just like having knowledge," he said, going on to the make the point that "parents must set a high bar in the household."
Obama's remarks were seen as rare for a President who has tried hard to protect his children's privacy. "Reporters were left to wonder if the President would tell Malia that he told the world about her science lesson," CBS News writes. Advertisement
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