Do you think that there is any need for change in the educational system in your country? (Cam 1990)

Yes, I think that there is a need to change the educational system in Singapore. Although one of the aims of the education system set by the Ministry of Education Singapore is to develop individuals as an all-rounded individual with high intellect so as to prepare them for the workforce, this is most often perceived to be the only reason why Singaporean students are studying- to get a good job in the future. This has resulted in an increasingly competitive academic society in Singapore.

In the past, it was merely enough to have an A level or even O level certificate to get a decent job to provide food on the table. However, today, nothing short of a university degree will do. Moreover, nowadays there are more and more university graduates who even have difficulty finding jobs. This proves that now, even higher levels of education are required to provide you with job opportunities. Students now face an endless amount of pressure from their parents as well as teachers in having to constantly perform above par or face being relegated to the rubbish heap of failures. This has proved fatal as it has caused an escalating number of students committing suicide as they were unable to handle the mounting pressure on them.

In addition, this meritocracy in the education system where only the best survive has resulted in self-centred and inconsiderate teenagers, contrary to the Ministry of Education’s aim to shape morally upright and responsible young adults. Students compete among themselves to be the best in everything- studies, CCAs as well as other activities. As such, to ensure that they themselves are the best, all students care about are themselves and themselves only.

However, having said that, competition does have its pros. Competition helps to bring out the potential on students. That is, if everyone regardless of their intellectual abilities are of equal standard and will receive the same treatment, there will be no incentive to work hard. This will result in a stagnant country where everyone lazes around and no progress is made. It is also thanks to meritocracy that Singapore has progressed into such a developed and advanced state in such a short period of time.

Therefore, I feel that there is a need to change the educational system in Singapore. However, this change should be done subtly so as not to diminish the incentive to work hard and hence progress to the country.