This article published in TODAY newspaper stinks of elitism:
Disparity in tertiary education facilities by Kwek Jian Qiang
04:45 AM Dec 26, 2011
Singapore has often been accorded the honour of having one of the best education systems. Our students rank high in their scores, from mathematics to other subjects. There are, though, significant disparities in the quality of learning environments.
When my grandmother visited Singapore this year, one of her most striking comments was when she saw a sparkling, shiny Institute of Technical Education (ITE) “skyscraper” campus.
Her first impression was that, in such a quality school environment, the students would be the best and brightest in Singapore. It took me a while to convince her otherwise and her look of dismay was apparent.
Indeed, a question should be raised: In a system where people are rewarded according to merit, why are our best and brightest not getting the best learning environments?
I once attended a seminar at ITE College East. The interior was like a plush hotel: Sleek floors, plush lecture theatre chairs, high-quality tables – quality exceeding that found in our polytechnics and junior colleges (JC).
From the exterior, with an Olympic-sized swimming pool and a stadium stand, it looked like it was made for the Youth Olympics.
What saddened me, though, was the graffiti on the tables and chairs. Apparently, the students do not cherish what they have. Should any JC or polytechnic student have access to such quality facilities, I have no doubt they would appreciate it better.
There is a need to equalise government spending on school facilities. Campuses such as Anderson JC’s and Victoria JC’s pale in comparison to ITE College East’s.
Our brightest students, who will become Singapore’s future leaders, should get the best facilities in order to excel and grow. We should reward according to merit.
The writer is a JC student.
” Our brightest students, who will become Singapore’s future leaders, should get the best facilities in order to excel and grow. We should reward according to merit.”
Don’t dirty meritocracy with elitism.
This argument is along the same vein of thought that only scholars can hold top Ministerial positions in Cabinet and that our Ministers must be paid the world’s highest political salaries in order to recruit the best.
上梁不正下梁歪 – If the top promotes elitism, the bottom learns too.
This elitist mindset is a social ill and it is spreading to our next generation like our dear Kwek Jian Qiang, an “elite” JC student poised to become one of “Singapore’s future leaders”.
I fear for our future.
There is nothing wrong with Kwek expressing his displeasure on the state of JCs campus facilities versus that of ITE campuses. In fact, I agree with him that MOE could have done more to ensure everyone gets the best study environment, regardless of which institution they are from.
I have an issue with the way Kwek pushed his argument. It betrays his elitist mindset.
Consider the two arguments below:
1. Dad bought a new toy for my brother. I am smarter than my brother, Dad should have bought the new toy for me first.(Elitist)
2. Dad bought a new toy for my brother. Dad should have consider buying new toys for both of us instead of just buying one for my brother. (Egalitarian)
Kwek obviously chose argument 1 over argument 2. Why? Maybe argument 2 never crossed his mind as elitism is so ingrained in many of our academically better performing students.
So what if you did well in school examinations?
Does it guarantee you success in life? Does it make you a better person?
One of Singapore’s most respected politician, Chiam See Tong did not do well for his “O” level examinations. He still became a successful lawyer and Singapore’s longest-serving opposition Member of Parliament.
BTW, Kwek is a JC1 student at Temasek JC as of 2011 and moving on to JC2 in 2012. Well done for bringing shame to your school, Kwek Jian Qiang. You may have deleted your photos on Facebook, but there’s Google cache.
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"What saddened me, though, was the graffiti on the tables and chairs. Apparently, the students do not cherish what they have. Should any JC or polytechnic student have access to such quality facilities, I have no doubt they would appreciate it better."
What if they had it and the graffiti still appeared lol. A few black sheep =/= the whole community what...
"Our brightest students, who will become Singapore’s future leaders, should get the best facilities in order to excel and grow."
IMO, facilities aren't that important. Its the quality of the lecturer that counts, not to mention the mindset of the student. Anyway go to school = study, why should the facilities be so much of a concern? :/
I think the kid is misguided, and I'm sure the comments his letter received will serve to wake him up to reality. But there is absolutely no need to put up all his personal information. What do you expect will happen? People to buy him coffee and have a long talk about unequal starting points in life, the different rates of development, and the importance of character and compassion? It's more likely he will get shamed and ridiculed, no? That is not a desirable outcome. Yes, poor attitudes need to be corrected and character needs to be taught but you show character by your own behaviour. This naming and shaming thing is not going to teach him anything that a reasoned analysis of the systemic biases towards the priveleged in Singapore and their impact on the rest would not do better.
The Internet should be a place to foster debate, and air your views (and get them corrected) when necessary. If we don't want top-down rule, then we should show at every opportunity that we are capable of being honourable, reasoned and responsible. This kind of thing does not get Netizens suggestions and requests listened to.
Fine, this guy is childish and lame. You're just as childish to dig up his photos.
Yes I am childish and lame. Thank you.
I Don't get why you need to post his photos. It's as if your promoting people to hunt him and give him trouble. If you really are the bigger man don't do that type of thing.
Jian Qiang emailed me personally. I like his frankness and willingness to admit his mistake. Am waiting to see if he wants me to post up an apology note on his behalf here.
Regarding the photos, I already censored his face. The photos were public till he deleted them from Facebook when shit hits the fan. If not, I won't be able to grab them via Google cache.
Are you telling me that when Jian Qiang wrote in to a national newspaper to get his views published with his REAL NAME printed by it, he did not anticipate some level of public fame at the very least?
Your arguments are valid, don't get me wrong. But is there really a need to publicise the school he's attending currently and publish his photos here? What's the purpose in doing so? You can be angry by his insensitivity, but you're going too far this time, ain't it?
Kwek Jian Qiang apologised: http://alvinology.com/2011/12/26/kwek-jian-qiangs-apology/
About "only scholars can hold top Ministerial positions in Cabinet "......
I've been living in a European country for 2 years now. Do you know why Asia has recovered from the 2008 crisis a long time ago , but many European countries are bankrupt, billions of dollars in debt?
BECAUSE THEIR GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS AREN'T AS WELL-EDUCATED & DID NOT MAKE WISE DECISIONS FOR THEIR COUNTRIES.
How does one decide how to manage the country's economy if you don't even know the simplest economic terms & theories? You just have to go by guessing & hoping for the best. But the thing is all these are only learnt in school.
SIngaporeans really do not know how lucky they are. EVerywhere I go, I see iPads & iPhones. in this European country, 80% of people use the old Nokia phones from about 10 years ago that doesnt even have a camera at the back. Most of the Blackberry & iphone users I know are also foriegn ASians like me. The Christmas lights in the town centre are so shabby that even small suburban complexes like Tampines Mart win them. There is only 1 measly Christmas tree in the entire town centre. I am serious. Whereas along Orchard Road theres are dozens and dozens of them, huge and little. When I went to the bank with many 500euro notes to deposit into my account with, the bank staff were so shocked as they couldn't even afford to let their customers withdraw more than 500 euros - everyone who needed to withdraw more than that had to call a special number to inform the bank at least 3 days in advance. This is how bankrupt this National Bank is (because their government is bankrupt). They then proceeded to scan each and every notes (to test for their authencity) I brought. My local friends cant even find a job. Because even shops are closing down one after the other. Now the country is blaming their leaders for favouritism & for selecting leaders based on their 'image' & promises without caring about their qualifications. They are recognizing their lack of ability after picking them for their high EQ. Note, some of them only have secondary school, poly or similar qualifications.
If companies need a desk-bound offce worker with a minimum of a Bachelor's Degree, COUNTRIES should need even better qualified people than that. If tiny workers of a company require a Degree, what more the leaders & decision-makers of the country? They are like the CEOS of a huge organisation.
I hope SIngaporeans won't be foolish and get under-qualified people to lead our country, because it could just be the start of our downfall. I don't want Singapore to be like this backward European country I have to live in. :(
Come on. Attack the idea, not the person. Hate his way of thinking? Criticize it. Personal attacks are not a good idea, ever.