Singapore's schooling system is generally stated to be of world-class benchmarks, drawing the likes of college students everywhere in the world to carry out their time at college right here, including people from the world's strongest economies.
Everyone knows the pros relating to the education system. In this blog post, I endeavor to explore the limitations of our education system, or simply formal education generally.
GOING BY THE BOOKS?
Our education system sits individuals into a mold, forming us to be homogenous in our cognitive patterns. Its mainly because every pupil needs to take the exams, supposedly to distill what we have learned over the course of the year.
The problem with exams is it would make everyone think in a certain standard way.
Not very long before, I was going through this tutorial class. Before it, I've done up my own set of solutions for the tutorial we had been advised to do.
While the instructor was presenting the "correct" tutorial solutions to all of us, I identified that one of his answers contradicts mine.
I lifted my hand and challenged the validity of his answers. He took the time to explain to me the rationale behind his solutions and I definitely value his dedication.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that I completely recognize exactly where he's coming from, I'm nonetheless convinced that mine is the suitable solution based on my understanding of the question.
He then told me that my answer will never be taken in the examinations as being right.
Not wanting to undermine my grades, I gave in. Eventually, I discovered that I've to "adapt" in order to perform successfully in the examinations.
The adaptation involves following exactly what the professors proclaim as the appropriate solution and always keep producing the "right" answers in examinations, even though it means suppressing my personal ideas.
Therefore, we will one way or another infer that a person who frequently scores very well in examinations as having the ability to adapt well and quickly.
I used to commit to memory "right solutions" from textbooks and deliver them verbatim in examinations. That technique has made me a high scorer but concurrently brought about me to be unconfident in voicing my personal opinion as I considered it inferior to the standard solutions provided in the textbook by professionals.
Shortly after, I came to the realization that what I'm undertaking is adverse to my psychological well-being. I will not dare to bring up my suggestions in group meetings, seminars or networking events because I was so fearful of being erroneous.
Thanks to that, i saw a great number of opportunities passed me through and ending up in the hands of those who are generally a lot more expressive. I came to uncover this destructive practice of mine and I instantly curtailed it.
Slowly but definitely, I am learning to develop my own strong voice by challenging conventional wisdom on a regular basis. It seemed like our curriculum really should seriously prepare pupils to be individuals that are comfy with their own creative ideas, rather then going by the books.
Everyone knows the pros relating to the education system. In this blog post, I endeavor to explore the limitations of our education system, or simply formal education generally.
GOING BY THE BOOKS?
Our education system sits individuals into a mold, forming us to be homogenous in our cognitive patterns. Its mainly because every pupil needs to take the exams, supposedly to distill what we have learned over the course of the year.
The problem with exams is it would make everyone think in a certain standard way.
Not very long before, I was going through this tutorial class. Before it, I've done up my own set of solutions for the tutorial we had been advised to do.
While the instructor was presenting the "correct" tutorial solutions to all of us, I identified that one of his answers contradicts mine.
I lifted my hand and challenged the validity of his answers. He took the time to explain to me the rationale behind his solutions and I definitely value his dedication.
Nonetheless, despite the fact that I completely recognize exactly where he's coming from, I'm nonetheless convinced that mine is the suitable solution based on my understanding of the question.
He then told me that my answer will never be taken in the examinations as being right.
Not wanting to undermine my grades, I gave in. Eventually, I discovered that I've to "adapt" in order to perform successfully in the examinations.
The adaptation involves following exactly what the professors proclaim as the appropriate solution and always keep producing the "right" answers in examinations, even though it means suppressing my personal ideas.
Therefore, we will one way or another infer that a person who frequently scores very well in examinations as having the ability to adapt well and quickly.
I used to commit to memory "right solutions" from textbooks and deliver them verbatim in examinations. That technique has made me a high scorer but concurrently brought about me to be unconfident in voicing my personal opinion as I considered it inferior to the standard solutions provided in the textbook by professionals.
Shortly after, I came to the realization that what I'm undertaking is adverse to my psychological well-being. I will not dare to bring up my suggestions in group meetings, seminars or networking events because I was so fearful of being erroneous.
Thanks to that, i saw a great number of opportunities passed me through and ending up in the hands of those who are generally a lot more expressive. I came to uncover this destructive practice of mine and I instantly curtailed it.
Slowly but definitely, I am learning to develop my own strong voice by challenging conventional wisdom on a regular basis. It seemed like our curriculum really should seriously prepare pupils to be individuals that are comfy with their own creative ideas, rather then going by the books.
About the Author:
The author is a scholar from a university in Singapore and frequently jots down his insights about schooling in Singapore in blog on singapore education. On a part time basis, he has been teaching home education to secondary school kids.