Emphasis on education key to making meritocracy work

The system of meritocracy has provided equality in opportunity and an invaluable platform for individuals to excel and realise their dreams. Its existence has undeniable value (“How S’pore is fixing its meritocracy”; April 22).

There is, however, a worrying trend: Some are forgetting their humble beginnings and developing an attitude of self-centredness and apathy towards the less fortunate, after having climbed up the social ladder and entered the circle of elites.

The cause of this problem does not lie with the system itself, but with the weaknesses of human nature and the cultivation of moral character or lack thereof.

The Government has adopted the system of meritocracy for decades, but has modified it to suit the local context. For example, the Government always remembers its indispensable obligation to provide affordable, quality education for all citizens, regardless of race and religion.

Further, it provides various academic awards to promising students, regardless of their social background.

Since Singapore’s independence, private corporations, social organisations and successful individuals have also been encouraged to assist in providing scholarships and bursaries for able students from low-income families so that they can concentrate on their studies. These forms of aid could narrow the income gap in our society.

Furthermore, the strong, consistent emphasis on education is the only effective way to raise educational levels and skills.

It is also a key to resolving the poverty issue and nurturing our future political and business leaders.

Although successful individuals have freedom of mobility, and intense competition may lure them to seek out playing fields abroad, most of them make the right choice to remain here and contribute back to society.