Well, this sec 4 students had done an amazing job. In her essay, I can tell she has been very observant about Singapore's education system. I agree with all her point of view with the issues she had raised. It is indeed VERY TRUE that many students memorize notes just for the sake of exams. Learning would then be a duty, burden and boring rather it should be something joyful and fun. Students normally study the topics that are tested and not study those extra relevant knowledge as that would be "wasting time". Thus, this shows that Singapore's education system becomes very stiff, not flexible at all. Students would then be often blinded and question themselves about the true reason for studying? There was even once, when my maths teacher questioned, : " why is there a need to study this topic". And one student answered, : " because it is tested in our exams" So does that mean that if its not tested in the exams, there is no need to learn this topic? It is true that exams are equally important but yet at the same time, students should enjoy learning. Learning is a process whereby it takes a whole lifetime. No one can ever acquire all the knowledge in the world.
In today's world, academic grades are not everything. External knowledge, characters play a big role too! Character is something that is taught since young, not by lessons. For example, we are taught in textbooks that we should give up seats to elderly and those in need. Thus in reality, when that really happen, there is a mindset in students that we have to give up seats to them, it is "compulsory". Thus, students are not doing compassionately but more of must.
Q2)Examine her tone and attitude in the letter. Do you think its a well-crafted letter with a appropriate tone?
I find the author's tone in the latter is absolutely appropriate. In her letter, her tone and attitude is more of a request and providing much examples for the minister to review our Singapore's education system. She did not emphasized that the minister has to read this letter and she addresses the minister with respect and there is nowhere in the letter I can find something inappropriate. In her letter, she kept questioning the education system which seems fair because she provided much evidence and examples. In the letter, she allowed the readers to feel that the matter is serious and something/someone has to do something about it. Her tone was not too polite, not too serious but just nice for readers feel comfortable reading it. She sound rather disappointed and unhappy with the Singapore's education system and thus voicing out her opinion. She even stated the amount of time she spent in doing this letter which shows that she saw the value of writing this letter to the minster.
Q3) If you should write a letter to the Minister of Education, what are some of the issues you would raise?
Firstly, I would like the minister to come out with new ways of teaching and also a examination's format. This is because the education system now is indeed guiding the students to a wrong track. Students should learn for the enjoyment and not for the sake of learning. Students should also be taught the way to ask and seek by themselves. Teachers will be at the side giving guiding questions. Students should also learn how to question their own questions/answers. In this way, they are able to think and process a matter in rather fair manner. Examinations should be given in a way that allows students to give answers that has the same meaning of something but phase it differently.
Secondly, I believe that civil and moral education should be changed to lessons that promotes teaching. These lessons should be something like AAT taught in Hwa Chong. I find this course very important and necessary for all students in Singapore because it promotes thinking and also questioning. Students are accessed by the way the question and approach a certain topic and thus i find that it is indeed necessary. Things that are taught in this lesson can be used in our daily lives. It will also promotes students' creativity and enhances students' thinking.
Lastly, the syllabus we are taught should be changed. Students should learn according to what the world is going towards. We have to keep up with the modern world today not the world keep up with us. We should learn things that can be applied in our future careers and not waste time learning something which will we hardly apply or sometimes not applying at all! Maybe the ministry can come out with a system whereby students are able to choose the type of studies they are keen and interested in. This system will enhances efficiency and quality. Students will not need to waste time having lessons they dislike.
