Tag Archives: meritocracy

I get very troubled when someone from humble origins experiences social mobility and then suddenly becomes a diehard evangelist for 'meritocracy'--without taking into account other contributory factors (other than pure 'hard work') that might have resulted in his or her 'success'. This idea that 'success is in everyone's reach, provided they are not lazy and have the correct attitude' is insidious because it ultimately suggests that one is poor not because of structural factors but solely because of one's individual failings. I know that I myself came from a working class background, but I cannot overlook the following nudges up the meritocratic ladder:

For an island so small that you can't run a marathon in a straight line in without hitting the sea, Singapore has done extremely well by any account. It has zilch natural resources but today, Singapore outstrips almost all other countries in the world, including countries which are many times its size and have a far longer history than this young nation that hasn't even hit 50. If you want the facts, here they are: Singapore is the 6th best country in the world to be born in (Cllick here) and it comes in fifth in the world on education

The big picture is to nurture each individual not based on their ability or intelligence but their goals and contributions to society. The abolishment of the school rankings and Primary School Leaving Examination results gave students the equal opportunity to excel in whichever school they go to. It is not the school that brings out the best result or the brightest student but the student who as an individual who strives to do their best and their attitude towards having a good education. With the right infrastructure such as parental support and government appraisal rewards, I am positive that students will want to excel and achieve good results for themselves. Opportunities should be given by the school to every student to have a good education.

Former top civil servant Lim Siong Guan called for a deeper consideration of what being compassionate meant, after “compassionate meritocracy” became the latest buzzword following last month’s People’s Action Party convention. The ruling party had adopted a set of resolutions then, including upholding an open and compassionate meritocracy that gives equal opportunities to all. But Mr Lim argued on Wednesday: “Anyone leading an organisation has an obligation to think about the long-term well-being of their people, not just what’s today...then on that basis you decide what really is the most caring thing you can (do) for an individual."