It's been widely regarded that SG has a world class education system with highly qualified teachers in all levels. According to The Learning Curve report published by education firm Pearson, SG currently rank as 3rd spot in global education system. Yet, as a 15 y/o student, I clearly do not think so, mainly because of an over-emphasis on results and the impact of tuition.
Firstly, the over-emphasis on results is one of the flaws of our education system. This is in regards to the moral aspect which our education system fails to educate in us. Let me share with you all a story. This happened in a high school(and jc) which is regarded as one of the best in Singapore. There were 2 same-age students, lets call them A and B.
A committed a very serious crime in school, one that would place him in jail for years was he a grown-up. He stays in the school IP stream, which FYI, is a stream only for the very best students in Singapore.
B cheated in a test, and he was removed from the IP stream.
Now what's the diff between A and B? Well it happens that A was in another 'higher' stream, the Gifted Education Program, hence he was DEMOTED to the IP stream. In a nutshell, this difference in punishment is meted out according to their Academic Abilities. It is also worthwhile to note there was absolutely no address of this incident by the principal and the teachers. This results in the students thinking excellence in academics will overlook your lack in moral ethics, which clearly does not. While there has indeed been reforms done by the MOE to reduce the emphasis on academics, I think it needs both teachers and principles to come together and discuss what steps to take next, and not simply abolishing the announcement of top scorers.
Secondly, the impact of tuition in SG. There is a common misconception among SGeans that tuition is for the academically weaker ones. In SG, tuition is not an extra, it's a must, if you can afford it. I've been attending tuition since P2, and I can't say I hate it, because I NEED it. Once in sec sch, you learn everything by yourself(at least, that's for the elite schools). If you can afford the top tuition chains, the tuition is where you really do your learning, while you attend school solely because its compulsory. There are lots of students who simply sleep in schools, go to tuition and study, and their results are fine. School is redundant. Anyway, many teachers fight for a spot in top schools, simply teach for a few years, then leave and set up their own centers. And you cant blame them.
There's even immersion programs in some centers. It's not our education system that's brilliant, it's the quality our tuition provides that's brilliant.
There're so many hidden flaws of our education system, but the achievements of our top scholars, including those PRs who had their primary education in foreign countries, are papering over the cracks. If you can afford international schools, let your child enrol in it. Get them out of the rat race and endless focus on academics early, it'll be the best decision you'll ever make as a parent. I wish mine did.
Caspar