So, once again the public were given what they wanted. Too bad they will be cheated of it this time, along with innocent parties.
Once a upon a time, life was good. University graduates were regarded as the true elite workforce, intelligent teens who were quickly employed even before they graduated. Then came the opening of a second, and a third University. There suddenly become so many University graduates out there. Being a University graduate has lost most of its value, yet the older generation still clunked tightly to the impression that Universities are key to the riches, and caned, paid and worked their children so to help them get into Universities.
“Going to an overseas University”, a hobby commonly sported by the upper middle classes of Singaporeans who had the unfortunate fate of being blessed with spoilt kids who are good for nothing other than spending, became another phrase for a more complex one, “My son is so bullish he can’t even go to a old and run down University in Singapore. I have no choice but to use my money to get him in one.” The lower middle class, however, could affort no such luxury when their kid couldn’t even cut it. They want in on the University wangon too. And since a few of them are educated enough to use Email, they wrote to MOE and the newspaper to throw their weight around.
Thus a forth University was born, and Universities like NUS, NTU and SMU had to increase their intake. My friends from schools like NUS and NTU are already reporting that they had to sit on the stairs for full 2 hours lectures due to the lack of seats (or too much students). If the intakes were to increase I can only imagine students, on top of bringing laptops to Universities, would also need to bring portable chairs. The alternative would be many flat-butted University graduates with back problems. Health problem aside, the value and prestigue that comes with being a University graduate becomes even more diluted, with many University graduates (”taking the risk” or “the path less travelled by” as reported in newspaper) becoming taxi driver and cake shop bakers.
Perhaps in the past the top 3% of every cohort made it to the University. In the future the figure may be 20%. And then 40%. And then 80%. Who knows?
Perhaps a newer form of education insitution needs to be established in order to distinguish the truly distinct ones from those bullish one that can barely make it. Maybe a Mebisity should be establish. And when too many Mebisity were established, Gigasity should come into play as well. Maybe my great great great great great great grandchildrn would finally join the workforce at the age of 85.
Education is becoming more and more bullish, isn’t it?
(Disclaimer: The entry is written to reflect Weikiat’s opinion and thoughts about the matter, and may in no way reflect the truth of what is going on. Given the fact that he is held captive by SAF with the sentence National Service all the while, it is already a miracle that he got around to writing this entry in the first place. So take what he says with a pinch of salt. A big pinch, that is.)
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Dear Wei Kiat,
Much as I enjoy reading your blog and intelligent analysis of current affairs, I’m afraid that I cannot agree with you on this issue with regards to an increase of local University intake.
You see, I was a polytechnic graduate many years ago. I didn’t pay much attention to lecturers and tutorials, so I rightly deserved the results I had achieved at the end of my diploma course - a C-average. Even after three attempts, my applications were rejected by NUS/NTU. I was angry at first, but later I realized that I have no one to blame but myself.
Very fortunately, my parents had a bit of savings, and in addition to my own money, some borrowed from the bank and a lot of part-time work in campus, I managed to pursue my degree in Canada. We live in a 4-room flat and belong to a middle-low-income family. I consider the money from my parents a loan from them, and I’m repaying a fixed amount every month. I am thankful for what I have, and I don’t see myself as a spoilt brat.
Honestly, I have no qualms about people getting into university if they are qualified for it. The Singapore society is getting more affluent and people can now afford to send their children to remedial classes and hire highly-qualified (albeit costly) professionals to coach the children on a one-on-one basis (one of the reasons why they are getting smarter). As a society moves forward, surely we must expect a greater number of individuals to be literate - I believe that’s the basis of building a progressive and successful country. Many years ago, our parents would consider themselves lucky if they have completed Primary 6. Surely we cannot use the mindset that ‘enough is enough’ when it comes to University intake?
If Universities are running out of chairs and tables, then we shouldn’t complain that there’s ‘too much students’. It’s like SBS Transit complaining that there are not enough buses because there are ‘too many passengers’. Universities will have to take up the responsibility in providing sufficient facilities and ensuring the quality education is delivered to every student that walks through the gate.
Perhaps it isn’t as ‘glamourous’ and ‘unique’ as it used to be when it comes to being a graduate, but surely there are many more paths to upgrade and enhance one’s value in the society - be an entrepreneur? Attain a masters or even doctorate? Generally speaking, given a choice, humans seek to put themselves in a better-off and not worse-off position.
No one should be denied of a tertiary education if he/she truly deserves it, but the ‘value’ of a University degree can only take you so far, and it’s really up to the individual to enchance his/her worth in the society.
Well put, mile, you covered more or less parts which I left out. Your comment is very valuable to other readers as well.
However, I want to point out certain things:
-Whether a person is really deserving to pursue higher education is up to the individual to decide. Everyone, of course should be given a second chance, even if they did not do well for academic studies earilier in their life. However, the “Hobby of parents” I was refering to actually refers to the so very typical singaporean parents sending their children who could not meet the mark to overseas (generally lousier) Universities, and then bragging about it as if it is a good thing.
-The lack of tables and chairs is a very valid point. Despite the announcement to increase intake, there was no mention of actually expanding the facilities to accomodate the increase. Current infrastructure in NUS is already insufficent to support the current amount of students. Little or nothing was done. The school is contented to let students sit on the stairs (while guys students can enjoy some eye-candy girls with short skirts are sitting on the stairs). Who is to say that Universities will actually play an active role to accomodate the increase in terms of facilities? Time will tell.
-I congrat you on having such a supporting family. On the other hand, there are also parents who forces their children into Uni and JCs even though their kid only barely meets the requirement. One of my friend who wanted to go into a Poly to further pursue his interest was given an fantastic choice by his parents: Either go JC, or we disown you.
Everyone is unique and everyone has different view point. There is no need to “afraid” that you don’t agree with me. Isn’t sharing viewpoints one of the purpose of blogging?
Do comment more:)