Our education system should indeed place more emphasis on equipping students with vital life skills (“Education can teach skills, not mass-produce innovators”; April 9). Also, they must inculcate values vital to our nation, such as integrity, loyalty and compassion.
Meritocracy is a fundamental principle of our education system, with national examinations used to assess abilities and determine students’ next path. Thus, schools have become a place mainly to prepare pupils for exams, with less emphasis on character growth.
Character development through state education, however, is important in building a caring, inclusive society. It should not be neglected for the sake of academic performance.
The Education Ministry acknowledges the importance of this via the Edusave Character Awards introduced in 2012, which recognises pupils with exemplary character and outstanding personal qualities. Yet, there must be a greater shift towards cultivating character.
As our nation celebrates SG50, we should reflect on the purpose of our education system. Do we continue training our youth to be good test-takers or develop them to be responsible, caring citizens?
Meritocracy is a fundamental principle of our education system, with national examinations used to assess abilities and determine students’ next path. Thus, schools have become a place mainly to prepare pupils for exams, with less emphasis on character growth.
Character development through state education, however, is important in building a caring, inclusive society. It should not be neglected for the sake of academic performance.
The Education Ministry acknowledges the importance of this via the Edusave Character Awards introduced in 2012, which recognises pupils with exemplary character and outstanding personal qualities. Yet, there must be a greater shift towards cultivating character.
As our nation celebrates SG50, we should reflect on the purpose of our education system. Do we continue training our youth to be good test-takers or develop them to be responsible, caring citizens?
