Fiona Chan in her article dated 4 April entitled "High price of peer pressure" commented about the constant need amongst her peers to compare to ensure they are on the right track, having been "born and bred on a diet of meritocracy". They use wealth and status as markers for success. In yet another article by Sandra Leong "Scoring high in grades but not in values" dated 3 April, Sandra discussed the close circle of her elite friends and related how many of her schoolmates (from RGS and RJC) would never date a man without a respectable job.
Our school system, based on meritocracy has also churned out many bright students who further their education in top universities abroad. I know of many amongst them who prefer not to return to Singapore if given a choice. Having experienced a more robust and fulfilling lifestyle that embraces learning, discovering and experiencing, they fear returning to a competitive and narrow existence back home. Some are afraid to be sucked up again by the machinery that prescribes a stifling mode of living as the symbol of success. In some sense it is an irony that the competitive culture which propels our young to excel is also a factor that drives many bright ones away.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment