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You need brains or lots of dough to pursue higher education

REFER to the two forum letters, ‘Is the aim of education a set of perfect scores?” and ‘Poly route shut for average students’, (ST, March 8).

The first writer appears a little too harsh on A-level students in Raffles Junior College.

In the second article, the writer underscores a very significant fact of Singapore’s competitive world of educational achievements. Average students are having difficulty getting into poly because applicants nowadays are having better entry results.

For RJC students who ‘weep” on getting their results, may I say that this reflects the ‘Rafflesian Spirit” of aiming passionately for excellence and perfection. It shows the ’seriousness” such RJC students attach to their achievements, whether in studies, sports, contests, et cetera.

‘Weeping” is an emotional release not of weakness, but of overwhelming feelings and passion.

Having studied in RI, I am proud of the ‘Rafflesian Spirit” in helping to inculcate excellence and a broader mind.

When students are still young, chasing for ‘paper qualifications” is perfectly normal. There is plenty of time after finishing studies for non-academic achievements.

Each JC student understands his/her own priorities and limitations better than most of us.

Short of getting the best examination results, chances of further studies can be very limited without parental financial support.

Singapore is not a wonderland if you do not have brains (reflected in examination results) or money to pursue higher education.

Lim Boon Tong

My take:
Within the 2 bolded segments of this letter, I highlighted his contradictions liao. “For RJC students who ‘weep” on getting their results, may I say that this reflects the ‘Rafflesian Spirit” of aiming passionately for excellence and perfection.” and “I am proud of the ‘Rafflesian Spirit” in helping to inculcate… a broader mind.” Is he trying to say that “Rafflesian Spirit” refers to narrow minded people who are extremely obsessed with academic excellence, or is he trying to say that “Rafflesian Spirit” is about having a broader mind?

“Singapore is not a wonderland if you do not have brains (reflected in examination results) or money to pursue higher education.”
While it is true that the society as a whole judges brain from examination result, in actual fact both does not share a direct co-relation.

While some of his other points are quite valid and insightful, they appeared to be edited by an editor at SPH, especially statements towards the end.

Lim Boon Tong should be friend with Wee Shu Min.

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