the secondary and post-secondary education system in Singapore: first class, falling or flawed?

This subject has been debated over quite a number of times and at certain points, the Ministry has responded by either implementing a new syllabus, restructuring the roles of the education officers, restructuring the standards of institutions of education or restructuring the payment schemes of students. Yes, the Ministry has done alot and indeed, some of the reforms that it has carried out were commendable. This includes helping needy students to cope with school fees, constantly revising the teaching materials that are already available to the students and expanding polytechnic courses so that they are 'industry-relevant'. However, the times are changing, the number of teachers in the system are dwindling and the mindset of students are evolving. Is it time for the Ministry to respond once more to the ever-changing landscape of education? More importantly, can the teachers withstand the Ministry's pressure and do the students have the will and discipline to meet such educational expectations?

At the secondary education level, teachers are struggling to reach out to the students. Students on the other hand are easily bored with what they are learning in the classroom. Hence, education falls on deaf ears. But the problem does not end here. Teachers are constantly being pressurized by their Head of Departments and their Principals to up the standards of their school and they in turn are pressurized by the highly competitive environment that the Ministry has created. Furthermore, being teachers these days is no walk in the park. Their job scope these days encompasses from being an administration manager to a therapist and from being an event organizer to crowd control. Students are also trying to find a place in this 'book smart' system. They crave for freedom and flexibility. They yearn for expression and individualism. They are stuck in an environment where creativity is hardly appreciated and where one's worth is determined by their academic standards. So, how do they on the other hand respond? The teachers leave the system and the students, like most teenagers, retaliate through ill behaviour in and out of the classroom. In my opinion, this is indeed unhealthy for the system. How are we going to educate and progress when the gears constantly needs to be replaced and oiled, and its products lack in social and ethical quality and responsibilty?

At post-secondary education level, the Ministry has clearly established a sense of academic hierarchy. It is true that the Ministry is trying to help students of varying academic capabilities and thus, giving opportunities for all to succeed and find a good place in the working world. However, with this classification of the student's prowess in the world of academia brings about another problem: stereotyping. In the eyes of the Singapore society, if you do not make it to a Junior College, you have to settle for second best, which are the Polytechnics. If you still cannot make it to the latter, then it is the dumping zone for you, which are the ITEs or Institute of Technical Education. Why does the society, including the students, parents and even our very own education officers, view the education system in such a way?

In my opinion, it all boils down to the amount of emphasis and attention that the Ministry gives to students who can make it to the top tier of the system. The odds of a Polytechnic or an ITE graduate entering local university is almost as slim as the latest handphone. The reasons given by the local universities include syllabus differences and the level and depth of the academic skills acquired during the term of their study. So it then follows that success stories of Polytechnic or ITE graduates entering into local universities are seen as exemplary, newsworthy and 'against all odds'. Are students of Junior Colleges that superior? Or did we perceive it to be that way? Recent surveys and articles show starting salaries of Polytechnic and ITE graduates gradually increasing. This implies that the work standards expected out of these graduates also increases. This also means that Polytechnics and ITEs need to keep up with the expectations of the relevant industries- be it in terms of syllabus or work ethics. But knowing that Polytechnic and ITE education is industry specific, would it account for nothing in the eyes of local universities compared to those holding an A-level certificate? Wouldnt these students have a better say in what truly aspires them or what they are passionate about when it comes to pursuing their further studies?

In addition, there is an evolution of mentality in today's youth. Students prefer to go to Polytechnics or ITEs so that they could escape the stress that is notoriously associated with the Junior College system. A handful of them have matured and know early in life their intended career path and wish to pursue it through specific courses available in the various Polytechnics or ITEs. And these students are not just or limited to your ordinary O level hopefuls but your top students scoring an outstanding single digit in their main examinations! It is also worth noting that certain courses in the Polytechnics and ITEs require very good or if not, outstanding grades at O levels upon entry! Some examples would include a Diploma in Hospitality, a Diploma in Communication and Mass Media, a Diploma in Biotechnology, a Diploma in Law and some Higher Nitec courses. This is not a sign of a trend but of a shift.

So that leaves us with certain questions. Can and will the Ministry respond to such changes? Should it even do so? If it does, it is necessary and can the people affected by it cope with such changes? Can there be a shift in the way our society view our education system? Can there be a balance between maintaing the need for different educational qualifications and the need for meritocracy and equality? Where does the problem actually lie? Is it our teachers? Students? Parents? Or dare we question the viability of the Ministry's education policies?

A couple of things are for sure. The teachers are tired. The students are restless. The Polytechnics and ITEs are catching up and fighting for recognition equal to that of their Junior College counterparts. The local universities are harder to get into these days for the locals. It is the Ministry who has a major educational influence and impact on Singapore's society. And the Ministry is still stuck in the mentality of the old world and struggling to understand the idiosyncracies of today's youth. It is time for change you say? I say 'What kind of change?'.