Read the following letter:
(1) Comment on the Janalle Lee's view on the education system in Singapore.
(2) Is an ideal education possible? Explain.
Post your 500 word response on your blog.
1) This letter is extremely well-written, even more so because the writer is only in Secondary 4. It really shows a mature train of thought. The letter focuses on 2 main flaws in our education system, the first being the lack of creativity inculcated into our students and the second being a lack of emphasis on moral education.
The writer has a firm belief that education is learning to answer those burning "whys" in our heads. Humans have a naturally inquisitive mind that always wants to know more. Children go to the zoo and ask, "Why is the giraffe so tall?" They always want to know more. However, the education system restricts our questioning and does not allow us to answer those doubts in us. After reading this letter, I really do agree that we are all "products on a factory line", an apt metaphor quoted from the letter. We are all put into school and through a somewhat fixed and mechanical process, we emerge as capable people who are useful in helping the country. The education policy is so fixed that every person is treated the same way. Some students may have a talent for things like arts and music. However, the education policy stifles their talents and suppresses it. These students aren't given a chance to build on their talents. I have always wondered why Singapore doesn't really have fantastic actors or musicians. I have always looked at Singapore's entertainment programs as trash compared to those of Hollywood. After reading this letter I may have found my answer. It is because these people's talent has been neglected, and this could be because of a major flaw in the education system.
The education system still relies heavily on classrooms and textbooks. This education system, in my opinion, is fit for a third world country as we were before. But now, we have developed and evolved. We are now a first class country. Surely our education system needs a relook and a slight tweak at least?
I really agree with Janelle that the education policy has too much emphasis on A1 and memorizing information. Most of this information would probably be forgotten by the time we start work. Do you think you can remember the 10 abiotic factors that affect an ecosystem by the time you reach 30 years of age? I highly doubt it. Also, our country lacks creativity and innovation. Anyone can memorize the textbook and notes. We need a true thinker who is different from the rest, who can think up new ideas and policies for the future, to allow our country to progress even further. I also agree that there is not enough emphasis on morals and principles. These are the things that would be the most likely to be carried forward for our future, because it can be cultivated and inculcated into our daily lives. So, why isn't there more emphasis on this? I feel that qualities like being diligent and proactive are much more important when we are working, than facts that we would probably forget and are irrelevant to whatever we will be doing in the future.
I really hope that these flaws would be looked at and I hope for a better education system in the future.
2) I think that an ideal education is possible. One thing that I think needs to be changed is the focus of the education system. It should be more focused on the PROCESS of education, rather than the end result. Fostering the inquisitive minds in our country, in my opinion, is several times more important than getting A1s for our tests. Also, the above flaws should also be worked on. Our education policy isn't bad, in fact it is very successful. However, I think a slight tweak to the system will make it pretty much ideal already.
No comments:
Post a Comment