180 degree turn in our education system

[Orion]

Well those of us in our 30s and older know that during our younger days in school, studying used to be so much simpler. We were given a menu and all we need to do is memorised them and when exam comes just be sure like a parrot we remembered them and in brain and out brain after exam and after that we are none the wiser.

Now things have pretty much got more complicated. See the maths book of your children, even those of Primary 3 some questions are really tricky and some brain cells sure got fried when we tried to solve them.

So is the world getting smarter? We know we got that knid of educational system at that time was because MNCs are setting up factories here then and our government really don't want to create many us smart alex to challenge anything. We be good boys just work and then sure be well taken care of. Sort of Communism, we shut our brain , got fed in our stomach.

But that system has many flaws, people of that generation cannot think 'critically', know facts but cannot distinguish true or not, die cast mentality 1+1 = 2. So we see many problems now, e.g investment gone awry. Too trusting got cheated by bankers even we know thier job is not to protect them but make money..... I give you one example in workplace, I have a collegue of the last generation and just have to 'bait' him some facts he is 100% sure so he can agree and then you add in some 15% not true facts and he won't disagree as he is 'programmed' not to go against the logic of rejecting the whole package......

now government is changing the education system again and again, sheez I think they also don't know what is good for us, Scientists good,?Mathematician good,?artist good.?? I take my bet for my son to be a 'hybrid' of these and be a Engineer. Anything wrong here we can just pack and go.... The world will always need Engineer.

The question is, change like that like that see world situation and adapt, the worst off will still be the ordinary folks. Singapore is getting exciting as the streets is now getting more hybrids (different types of education disciplines) but mostly useless to real world.

Bet many here are complaining what they have chose to study in their younger days is a big mistake. That time is hype now is shit. See many got retrenched now and more to come and their skill cannot be used elswhere and then be a Taxi driver lor. (Singapore Taxi drivers are the best lot, even master degree also got)

I cross my finger I am still safe cause my job is essential to all of you breathing here.

[timebomb]

First of all, I think we should define your concept of "an education". From what you have written, you seem to think that "an education" is simply a way to position yourself for a better life in the working world. I wouldn't disagree with such a concept entirely so let's just argue from that angle.

In Singapore, the government tweaks the education system constantly. To them, they see everything from an economic angle so the system has to change with the times. Either you become a useful citizen by contributing to the good of the economy or you're a washout. If you see it from an economic point of view, I would say the government's doing the right thing. To them, there's little point in teaching people to be smarter. It's better to teach them to simply become useful citizens; that's how you rule over them and pull the wool over their eyes People become slaves to the economy but they don't even know it.

As individuals, we don't have to live up to the government's expectations. Seek your own way in life. If you are just concerned about keeping your job, I would say you should just make sure that you keep yourself "highly employable". There's a place for everyone in this world, whether you are an artist or an engineer. If you ask me, it would be rather silly to force yourself into an engineering course if your talents are in the arts. It would also be a great injustice to force our hopes and aspirations on our children. It's better to let them choose their own paths. Both my daughters are in the arts although they did fairly well in the science subjects. It could be in later years, they may not be as well-off as others of their generation but in life, you can only do well if you do what you love.

I myself was a victim of the system, in the sense that I was simply ushered into the sciences although my strengths were in the arts. I just couldn't cope and drop out of an A level education.

I would say we can rant at the system and say it's unfair to us or that it sucks but in reality, your destiny lies within your own hands. Make the best of what you have and don't worry about other people's expectations.

Just as an interesting aside and to prove that what I say about our government is true - I found out a while ago that our education ministry removed the subject of "evolution" almost entirely from our school text books. If you had taken biology at O levels, you would find that "evolution" is just introduced as a one-liner in the text books whereas many biologists would tell you that the "study of biology makes no sense except in the light of evolution". I think the government did this because they don't want to be caught in the controversy between "creationists" and "evolutionists". The top schools in Singapore, after all, are often the missionary schools. So they would rather you remain ignorant about "evolution" and they have peace than to educate you to become smarter and they become embroiled in a controversy.

The government has also effectively "politically castrated" the young here. So few are interested in politics. They think it's a subject that's not of their concern and do not understand that almost every facet of their lives is influenced by politics.

Loh K L

[Shadow]

Well those of us in our 30s and older know that during our younger days in school, studying used to be so much simpler. We were given a menu and all we need to do is memorised them and when exam comes just be sure like a parrot we remembered them and in brain and out brain after exam and after that we are none the wiser.

Well not really,

I'm in my 30's and 10 years ago during my University, I remeber I almost fail my Physic exam because I remember the formula. I asked the lecturer and the lecturer said "I don't care even if your answer are all correct, I just want to know where you derive the formula from" . I was a shock at first. I'm from Asia education where memorizing as you said must have attribute

But I didn't study in Singapore

[Orion]

Don't do rote learning in earlier part education and then get roasted in your later part of life.

Reversing and proceeding the transformation is VEXING.

[David Moses Heng]

anythng key change to note is that the ministry are now focusing more on character education than anything else.

[Orion]

Are the quality of the younger generation so sub-prime now as to warrant Ministry attention?

So what happens to the predecessors? Bye bye cases?

[David Moses Heng]

Are the quality of the younger generation so sub-prime now as to warrant Ministry attention?

So what happens to the predecessors? Bye bye cases?

Some months back, i remember reading that the ministry is pumping a very big amount of money into institues of education for character workshops. This was also reflected by teachers whom i know and one of them happens to be my wife.

[Orion]

What do you really mean character education? Like following the China ancient Sage sayings or just be plain honest man? Now world dog eat dog rich people do the talking and at this time do character education?
What counter-intuitive logic?

[budak]

here's a good alternative viewpoint: http://www.trinetizen.com/blog/2008/...fe-and-how.htm

[Sunfire]

anythng key change to note is that the ministry are now focusing more on character education than anything else.

I think this is a very good turn of events as a nation's future is governed by the character of it's people, and especially the leaders.

Moral character has been neglected for a loong time. After teaching kids in a neighbourhood secondary school, I find that a lot of students don't have basic moral education, also probably because of their parents bad living examples. I also believe that the old style - confucian methods of moral education are very relevant.

As for other things ; e.g. singapore students not being creative, enterprising, I don't think it's a very big issue as we would naturally develop it as there is a better environment for it to develop.

I think there's hope for the future.

[Orion]

How I wish I make myself so valuable that countries like Germany, Austria prepared red carpet ceremony to welcome me.

Well just wishful thinking.

Here I got job and not feel stress I thank all mother of G** already.

[timebomb]

The school teachers can try to teach moral education but I don't think it's going to work. If you ask me, I would say moral education should start at home. Heck, I would even say that mostly, it's the parents who need the education more

I've been to a couple of parent-teacher meetings and most times, I find the behaviour of many parents appalling. They complain about certain teachers loudly in front of the whole class; they are impatient and can't wait for their turn; they have to be repeatedly told to quiet down etc.

Loh K L

[David Moses Heng]

The school teachers can try to teach moral education but I don't think it's going to work. If you ask me, I would say moral education should start at home. Heck, I would even say that mostly, it's the parents who need the education more

I've been to a couple of parent-teacher meetings and most times, I find the behaviour of many parents appalling. They complain about certain teachers loudly in front of the whole class; they are impatient and can't wait for their turn; they have to be repeatedly told to quiet down etc.

Loh K L

Well said!! Infact there are no delinquient students. There are only delinquient parents. That's why the way my company approach character and value building is first by meeting up with the parents and sharing how we go about helping the child. We will only proceed when the parents agrees to participate. if not, there is no room for discussion.

[timebomb]

here's a good alternative viewpoint: http://www.trinetizen.com/blog/2008/...fe-and-how.htm

It's an alternative viewpoint alright but I would not call it "good".

Adrian Tan claims that "learning is a lifelong process" is a big lie. Apparently, the only kind of learning he knows is the one where you take courses, study for examinations and obtain certificates at the end of the process. Well, I'm over 50 now and I can testify that it was in the last 10 years or so that I really started to learn. You don't have to go to school to learn, you know. In fact, a wise man once said, "Never let school get in your way of a good education". So I would say, "Don't stop learning; that's how you stay alive." You're be surprised how fast your brain degenerates the moment you stop using it but then again, you probably wouldn't know it when it happens.

Adrian Tan also said that you should be "wary of the truth", as if the truth is something to be fearful about. Well, you have nothing to fear but fear itself. If you have to constantly lie to keep yourself and those around you happy, then I would say your life is one big lie. I don't advocate being blunt about the truth all the time but to yourself at least, you shouldn't lie. In my life, I've known several people who are so good at lying they didn't even know that they are lying. But people around them will eventually find out; you can't hope to lie all the time and never get caught.

Adrian Tan also said that you should try to get yourself hated. He made it sound like it's a goal; that you should aim for that goal when you go about your daily life. Aww, come on, what kind of dumb advice is that. I would say that shouldn't be your goal but if in the process of achieving your goals, you step on a few toes; that's ok. Because only those who are standing around and doing nothing that will get their toes stepped on in the first place

Adrian's last advice was to "fall in love". I don't have any quarrel with that but I always think love is over-hyped. If instead of love, people learn to respect each other - the world would be a better place. Think about it. Love can die but respect will always remain. Because when you love someone, the love can be blind. You can love someone even though that someone may be full of faults. Love is irrational. But you can't respect someone if you didn't think highly of him or her in the first place. You respect someone for his or her qualities and as long as those qualities remain, the respect will never die. So if your partner says, "I love you", you should ask, "But do you respect me?"

Loh K L

[Orion]

Well I am going to ask a irelevent question again.

How often do we find people like Mr Timenbomb in our daily lives that give us new perspectives?

Every time I see his inputs in AQ makes me feel alot of things we know required thorough reviewing again.

BTW we human may actually know the truth, it is only when we are honest and brave enough to accept and once we do that, we may find that we are actually missing a lot of things in life.

[Sunfire]

The school teachers can try to teach moral education but I don't think it's going to work. If you ask me, I would say moral education should start at home. Heck, I would even say that mostly, it's the parents who need the education more

I've been to a couple of parent-teacher meetings and most times, I find the behaviour of many parents appalling. They complain about certain teachers loudly in front of the whole class; they are impatient and can't wait for their turn; they have to be repeatedly told to quiet down etc.

Loh K L

Then what are we going to do? I would think parents are a lost cause but we would be seriously in trouble if we just sit down and do nothing.

Having some kind of moral education is better than having none. If you look at it, student only spend about7 - 8 waking hours at home, if they come home at 5 and sleep at 12.

Well said!! Infact there are no delinquient students. There are only delinquient parents.

If you say this like that, then you are saying that there is no hope for children of parents that are 'delinquient'?

[StanChung]

I've been enlightened, thanks KL and others

For what it's worth, Adrian's message is controversial and smacks of Oscar Wilde's 'irreverent' quotes that challenge convention.
I interpret his speech as 'To rise above mediocrity and hack slash to the top, to love ugly parts of people too.' He didn't say the fall would be harder and more people will stop by to spit and trample and as KL put it love without respect is like accepting to be a lesser being in the equation.
I must say he does think outside the box. Glad we don't have that many maniacs around or else there is no resource enough on this world to fit the dreams of another megastructure. Maybe we really do need to be a two planet species.

Life is complex-one size does not fit all. We don't come out of the production line-talented, smart, strong and good looking.
Even if the mind is willing the body is not. We only have limited hours and attention span. We don't have to accept our fate but pushing it is another thing. As soon as we are happy, we are losing speed. If we are unhappy all the time, it's most likely we will get great stuff done but we'll also suffer from stress related diseases more than 'just average'.

The sure thing in my mind is the 'race' is only with myself. I'm 40 next year. I hear Oprah says 40's are just the beginning-the new mid life, where you can say-"No, I'm not available"! Not so when you were in your 20's or early 30's.
How comforting.

[timebomb]

Then what are we going to do? I would think parents are a lost cause but we would be seriously in trouble if we just sit down and do nothing.

I would agree that trying to educate parents is a lost cause but I doubt there would be serious trouble if teachers stop teaching moral education. Juvenile delinquency is a problem in practically all developed nations. As the standard of living goes up, the young become more restless; more couples file for divorce; the rate of suicides rise; crime rates goes up. Apparently, the more we have, the more we want to throw it away. That's how it is with people, I guess.

Anyway, there's more than one way to teach and the best way, I think, is to teach by example.

Teachers have it tough but they have the power to mould lives. I'm sure if everyone of us would to look back at our time in school, we can all recall one or 2 teachers who were so good at inspiring us it changed our attitudes completely and made us want to work harder in the subjects they taught. Of course, there were also nightmare teachers who were so bad (some of those during my time were downright sadistic), they killed our interests in their subjects completely.

I'm no expert on the subject but I think teaching is like parenting. You mustn't adopt an authoritative stance. You can't demand respect from your students or your children just because you're the teacher or parent. You have to earn it. The best way is to try and be their friend. I would agree that this method may not work with all students but then again, I seriously doubt there's any foolproof method that will work for everyone.

Loh K L

[timebomb]

Life is complex-one size does not fit all. We don't come out of the production line-talented, smart, strong and good looking.

I would like to share one of my life's lessons with you. When I was young, I used to think along the same lines too - that not everyone was born with the same degree of intelligence. Such a line of thought would naturally lead to the conclusion that if you weren't born smart, there would be many things beyond your reach. So I always thought of myself as being "not very smart". After all, I was posted to one of the louziest schools in Singapore after my PSLE. I never got my IQ tested but when I had problems understanding certain things, I blamed it all on my low IQ.

It was only late in life that I realised that you don't need a high IQ at all. IQ is over-rated. The average person's IQ is 100 and frankly, that's all you need.
If you score lower than 100, you could possibly miss out on a few things in life but really, 100 is the perfect IQ. Anything above that is meaningless. A 100 IQ is all you need to understand anything that needs to be understood. If you have the interests and you are willing to put in the effort, you will be able to understand even the most complex of theories. You probably won't be the next Einstein but a 100 IQ is all you need to understand his theories. Everything and anything is within your grasp - all you need is the interest and the effort.

In short, don't worry a thing about not being born smart. In any case, it's useless being smart if you don't want to learn anything. In the long run (and life is a long journey) a stupid person who is willing to put in the effort to learn will become far smarter than someone born smart but who is less inclined to learn.

You know, I wish someone had told me that when I was in school.

Loh K L

[David Moses Heng]

Well said!! Infact there are no delinquient students. There are only delinquient parents.

If you say this like that, then you are saying that there is no hope for children of parents that are 'delinquient'?

bro, please don't be offended by my statement. In this world, there is always hope for those who believe. I have personally witness turn around cases just becasue the "Delinquient"parents listen and believe that there are room for rememdy. So what happened was that they decided to start afresh with their child with assistancde form the counsellor.