Sunday, February 13, 2005
China Students vs Singapore Students
Published in The Straits Times Forum Page - 15 Feb 2005
I REFER to the article “China whiz kids worry S’pore parents” (The Sunday Times, Feb 13). Madam Tam Chiew Hong was quoted as saying “Of course I’m worried about top places going to foreign students. If that happens, Singapore would lose face and have a reputation for producing mediocre students….foreign students would also take away jobs from our kids at the end of the day.”
Instead of giving credit where credit is due, I was disgusted by the thoughtless remarks made by Madam Tam. Yet again, kiasuism has reared its ugly head in a most inappropriate manner. It is at times like this that I feel ashamed to be Singaporean! Over the years, many Singaporean students have done their schools, teachers and parents proud by producing extraordinary academic results, thus it is quite unfair to say that we have or risk having a reputation for producing mediocre students. And were we quick then, to decry their accomplishments and gripe about the threat they pose to our children’s future jobs? The only loss of face we are in danger of now, is when the world reads such remarks and concludes that Singaporeans suffer from competition phobia, are petty and quite frankly, infantile.
Life does not hand out something for nothing; these China students have undoubtedly put in extra time and effort to achieve such results. There are other factors to consider too, Singaporean students do not have to grapple with mastering a new language nor adapting to a foreign environment. Logically speaking, without these additional stresses to contend with Singaporean students actually have the upper hand and should do better. Instead of being acknowledged and applauded for their exceptional achievements in the face of these obstacles, these China students face flippant and negative comments. Try putting your child in their shoes. Imagine the difficulties your child would encounter if he was sent to a school in, let’s say, France where the entire syllabus is in French. How would you and your child feel if he overcame the odds, mastered the language and came out top in class, and subsequently have the French parents eye him suspiciously and claim that he is jeopardising the future jobs of their children?
The continued success and progress of Singapore relies on good leadership, market openness and being part of the global market. As we do not live in a self-contained, self-reliant and climate controlled bubble, foreign talent and resources will inevitably be sought. As such, competition will be prevalent, welcome to the real world! Competition is not necessarily bad; it precipitates re-evaluation and rouses us from our comfort zone, engendering changes for the better. Competition from China students should motivate and inspire Singapore students to rise up to the challenge and prove their mettle. If it is not from the China students, competition will still exist, but in the form of your fellow Singaporean class-mates or colleagues. What then? So kudos to all students, regardless of race, religion or nationality, who do themselves and the people around them proud by excelling in their academic endeavours through sheer determination, drive and hard work! Congratulations!
I REFER to the article “China whiz kids worry S’pore parents” (The Sunday Times, Feb 13). Madam Tam Chiew Hong was quoted as saying “Of course I’m worried about top places going to foreign students. If that happens, Singapore would lose face and have a reputation for producing mediocre students….foreign students would also take away jobs from our kids at the end of the day.”
Instead of giving credit where credit is due, I was disgusted by the thoughtless remarks made by Madam Tam. Yet again, kiasuism has reared its ugly head in a most inappropriate manner. It is at times like this that I feel ashamed to be Singaporean! Over the years, many Singaporean students have done their schools, teachers and parents proud by producing extraordinary academic results, thus it is quite unfair to say that we have or risk having a reputation for producing mediocre students. And were we quick then, to decry their accomplishments and gripe about the threat they pose to our children’s future jobs? The only loss of face we are in danger of now, is when the world reads such remarks and concludes that Singaporeans suffer from competition phobia, are petty and quite frankly, infantile.
Life does not hand out something for nothing; these China students have undoubtedly put in extra time and effort to achieve such results. There are other factors to consider too, Singaporean students do not have to grapple with mastering a new language nor adapting to a foreign environment. Logically speaking, without these additional stresses to contend with Singaporean students actually have the upper hand and should do better. Instead of being acknowledged and applauded for their exceptional achievements in the face of these obstacles, these China students face flippant and negative comments. Try putting your child in their shoes. Imagine the difficulties your child would encounter if he was sent to a school in, let’s say, France where the entire syllabus is in French. How would you and your child feel if he overcame the odds, mastered the language and came out top in class, and subsequently have the French parents eye him suspiciously and claim that he is jeopardising the future jobs of their children?
The continued success and progress of Singapore relies on good leadership, market openness and being part of the global market. As we do not live in a self-contained, self-reliant and climate controlled bubble, foreign talent and resources will inevitably be sought. As such, competition will be prevalent, welcome to the real world! Competition is not necessarily bad; it precipitates re-evaluation and rouses us from our comfort zone, engendering changes for the better. Competition from China students should motivate and inspire Singapore students to rise up to the challenge and prove their mettle. If it is not from the China students, competition will still exist, but in the form of your fellow Singaporean class-mates or colleagues. What then? So kudos to all students, regardless of race, religion or nationality, who do themselves and the people around them proud by excelling in their academic endeavours through sheer determination, drive and hard work! Congratulations!
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