Hi huatopedians, don't mind if I use this little space to discuss my thoughts on education? Some of the things I discussed cannot be mentioned in my personal blogs as parents/students might see it. Not that I mind them reading, but I would rather they not see it. As such, I'm bursting with thoughts...if I still don't blogged it out, think I'll explode
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Education need not be just things to do with academic studies. It's more about discovering oneself. Unfortunately, in Singapore, it seems like the education system is more like machines to churn out moulds of workers with no fire nor passion to live their lives fully. In the past, MOE had their motto as 'moulding the future of singapore' (something like that), haha, but I couldn't find that now. Maybe they tore it off due to bad publicity
Instead of discovering oneself through education, it seems like in local context, education is about redefining what we can and cannot do. When we're in primary school, we all have to go through the mandatory 'What are we going to be when we grow up?' kind of questions. I bet most will say astronauts, businessman, artist, singer, superman, batman or what not. When the same question is asked in tertiary institutions, a blank stare is more likely. What happened in the years in between primary school to tertiary level? Did our education system crushed our curiosity? I know some of my students wanted to be doctors, then they realised that they cannot make the grades so they can't be one. I can imagine a fictional primary student wanting to be an artist too, at least until the teachers saw the artwork that he/she did and mentioned carelessly that he/she should never draw again.
I'll just leave this advice for everyone: There are enough people in the world telling us what we cannot do. Let us be the lonely and supportive voice that would tell them that yes, they can do it, don't give up, pick yourself up and try again! You'll never know how far your beacon of light will shine the way ahead for them and how many lives will be changed!