World-class education: is this true?

Article:

http://www.straitstimes.com/ST%2BForum/Story/STIStory_149557.htm

Review:

This article has eloquently elaborated on the flaws of our supposedly world-class education that we are all exposed to in Singapore. Well put by Ms. Bavaani Vadivale- Nanthabalan, I feel that indeed the system of education in Singapore is “Teaching to test”, which has resulted in “a nation that is obsessed with rankings and success.”

My first point of evidence would be the fact that we students in Singapore are no longer learning for our own enjoyment. It seems to be the case that we are only learning in order to meet the expectations of our teachers and parents. These expectations often are materialized in tests and examinations, with the results determining our status in their eyes. How many of us actually study more than required? This is only so when we have the passion for that certain subject and this is also curbed by the excessive amount of other work that we have. It seems that only graded work has importance in the lives of the average Singaporean student.

We see students putting in their best for work that is to be graded. For those worksheets and assignments that are not, it is often the case that they are left in one corner, rushed at the last minute. This could be on purpose, when we feel that it is more worthwhile to do the work that would count to our grades, or could be a consequence of the massive amount of work and other commitments that we face. We work only for our marks and grades, putting effort in our CCAs just for the CCA points. It has been drilled into our heads that only these things will decide whether one gets a scholarship or not. These are the only things done in school that would count in our lives in the future.

Another point brought up by Ms. Bavaani is the fact that Singaporean students tend to be less confident, articulate and expressive. This can be considered a norm in classes, where we learn and accept what we are taught; only clarifying our doubts. Little chance has been given to Singaporean students to express ourselves in the way that we want. Students that do so are labeled as disruptive and not a good student in any teacher’s eye. Even if we are given the choice to express ourselves, we tend to keep quiet, as we have always been taught too. We have been conditioned and it is hard to change.

Yes, we are among the world’s best in terms of knowledge education. But is that all there is to schooling?