Education system must help youth be adaptable

Singapore’s educational system is effective in developing our youths’ strengths. This may affect their adaptability later in life, however, if they realise that they can pursue only certain careers (“S’pore’s next big thing is to think small”; Feb 7).

Even pupils aged 14 are expected to choose a subject combination that will determine what courses they may take at junior college (JC) and university. This inflexibility may produce students who are not interested in learning beyond their chosen subjects.

By following the “path” they have decided is best for them, they are largely skilled in one particular field.

New graduates may find themselves unable to get a job in that field, however, owing to economic changes or if they are not the best in their specialisation.

As these unemployed graduates continue to look for jobs, does it occur to many of them to learn new skills? They have possibly been conditioned to pursue only what they are certain they can succeed in instead.

This can be traced back to their subject combination in secondary school. Pupils are usually not encouraged to pursue something they are not good at, and in JC, they are no longer allowed to explore subjects they had not chosen.

We believe that a love of learning must be cultivated in each pupil.

Usually, students are so focused on getting good grades that they lose that love of learning new things and thus end up lacking in various skills that could potentially help them find a job in future.

Pupils may lack the confidence to try something new because they are afraid of failure. We students must be willing to take risks and explore new opportunities. After all, our potential jobs are at risk.