Saturday, October 12, 2013

limitations of our formal education system

By Crispin Sng


Singapore's education system is often considered to be of world-class benchmarks, bringing in the likes of children throughout the globe to undertake their time at college right here, including the ones in the planet's strongest economic systems.

Everyone knows the pros relating to the education system. In this blog post, I endeavor to explore the limitations of our education system, or simply formal education generally.

GOING BY THE BOOKS?

Our education system sits individuals into a mold, forming us to be homogenous in our cognitive patterns. Its mainly because every pupil needs to take the exams, supposedly to distill what we have learned over the course of the year.

The issue with exams is it makes everyone think in a particular unvarying fashion.

Not long ago, I was taking part in this particular tutorial session. Prior to it, I've come out with my very own set of solutions for that tutorial we have been informed to carry out.

Whilst the lecturer was presenting the "correct" tutorial solutions to us, I spotted that one of his solutions is inconsistent with mine.

I lifted my hand and challenged the validity of his answers. He took the time to explain to me the rationale behind his solutions and I definitely value his dedication.

Nonetheless, even though I absolutely grasp where he's coming from, I'm nevertheless convinced that mine is the correct solution based on my understanding of the question.

He then told me that my answer will never be taken in the examinations as being right.

Not wanting to give up my scores, I gave in. Progressively, I realized that I've to "adapt" in order to perform extremely well in the examinations.

The adaptation entails following what the instructors tell you as the right response and continue to keep providing the "correct" solutions in exams, even when it signifies curbing my personal thoughts.

For that reason, we can in some manner infer that a person who regularly scores highly in exams as being able to adapt incredibly well and quick.

I used to commit to memory "right solutions" from textbooks and deliver them verbatim in examinations. That technique has made me a high scorer but concurrently brought about me to be unconfident in voicing my personal opinion as I considered it inferior to the standard solutions provided in the textbook by professionals.

Later on, I recognized that what I'm doing is actually adverse to my psychological well-being. I usually do not dare to bring up my creative ideas in group meetings, seminars or networking events as i was so terrified of being wrong.

Thanks to that, i saw a great number of opportunities passed me through and ending up in the hands of those who are generally a lot more expressive. I came to uncover this destructive practice of mine and I instantly curtailed it.

Gradually but definitely, I am learning to create my own strong voice by challenging conventional wisdom on a regular basis. I felt like our curriculum must genuinely prepare individuals to be people who are comfortable with their own views, as opposed to going by the books.




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