Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Singapore education system evolves around the premise that every student has unique aptitudes and interests. It adopts a flexible approach to allow students to develop their potential to the fullest.

Yes, there are people who criticise that the system is rigid but to those who think that it has failed to teach values to our students, I beg to differ. These people are probably seeing things from one perspective and do not realise that there is no single education system in the world that is flawless and produce the perfect individuals.

The fact that our education system has been recognised at a world-class level speaks a lot. On what basis do critics make their judgment? We have a strong education system. Singapore students aim high and they achieve very good results. We have good schools and capable school leaders and teachers, and facilities which are amongst the best in the world. We are building on these strengths as we prepare the next generation of Singaporeans for the future.

However, in the system, it is no longer the truth that it only focuses on academic results. If this is what you feel, then I see you as a person still living in primitive Singapore. Our future brings tremendous opportunities but it will also bring many changes that are unforeseen today. Not only do our schools and institutions develop the skills of our young, we also give them the chance to develop the character and values that will enable them to continue to do well and to take Singapore forward in this future.

Instead of finding out what schools do to provide students with greater choice to meet their different interests and ways of learning, critics (particularly some of the ignorant civilians) blame the teachers and ultimately the system for producing some of the unsuccessful output. Teachers are not saints. We need to produce a holistically nurtured student with the help of our stakeholders, who are the parents, community, etc. It is a joke when some see 'education' as something which is anchored only by the teaching professionals.

As far as possible, we have integrated programmes that help students to choose what and how they will learn. This has encouraged them to take a greater ownership in their learning. Not only that, CIP, SKM and other non-academic activities have also taken their place in the education system. They are no longer seen as 'extra' initiatives in the curriculum but are incorporated into all subjects wherever possible. It is not about producing 100% all-rounders, but as much as possible, we want to nurture our young with the different skills that they need in the future. Every child is unique, and their learning capacities varied. It will be a tall story if I claim that our education system is flawless and will produce students who understand the 'true meanings of life'.

Similarly, to question that our Singapore education system has failed is simply too narrow-minded a thought.