Read the following letter:
(1) Comment on the Janalle Lee's view on the education system in Singapore.
(2) Is an ideal education possible? Explain.
Post your 500 word response on your blog.
(1) Comment on the Janalle Lee's view on the education system in Singapore.
I feel that what Janelle Lee has stated on her letter is truly evident in Singapore. From the mentality of teachers not to teach why, but to memorise everything in the textbooks from cover to cover, to the teaching of civics and moral education, many things in the Singapore education system that I once overlooked seems flawed now. It seems quite amazing that a Secondary 4 student could pick up these flaws and present them to the minister.
I also agree on Janelle's point about asking question. Most of the time, we are given the answers straight to our face but we don't know what is the main reason behind it. For example, we know that sharks live in the sea and are carnivorous. However, we do not know why they are carnivorous and not herbivores. This show a flaw in the education. Many children are not told the true meaning of things, their curiosity will die out. This is bad! If our Curiosity run out, we will not be able to question ourselves and learn.
Another point made by Janalle was that “The problem is that Singaporean youths are often not taught as individuals with separate talents, but as a collective who are all the same”. This is an obvious inaccuracy in her letter. Students are streamed at an age of 9 during the GEP exam and later at 10 in whether he/she is to be under the foundational class. At the age of 12, the PSLE streams all students into the different schools and at 14, another exam is taken so as to re-examine your capabilities and see if you are eligible for a transfer into an IP school or Special Programme. Therefore, it is not true to say that Singaporean youths are taught as a collective due to the introduction of the School Based Gifted Education.
Therefore, I agree with most of what has been written and applaud Janalle’s find command of the English Language and courage for speaking up. Despite the fact that there has been a few inaccuracies, it must be said that this letter gives another perspective on the Singapore education system.
(2) Is an ideal education possible? Explain.
The ideal education system is an idea chased by many countries and schools around the globe in the pursuit of bringing the best to their country. The ideal education system would ensure the country’s prosperity and the people’s peace.
I feel that an ideal education will be one that can bring out the excellence in oneself and educate students such that they become all-rounded students. This can be done in different ways. Although this may be difficult, but it is still possible.
For this to happen, we need experience teachers who are capable to do it. Teachers are seen as a role model to students. If the teacher show some characteristics which are good, the students most likely follow too.
Although many people feel that having an ideal education is impossible, but i feel that anything is possible if u have a mind to do it.
No comments:
Post a Comment