Govt needs to 'rethink approach' to education and work so that advantages, privileges don't become entrenched: President Halimah

SINGAPORE — While meritocracy has long been the “organising principle” of Singapore society, the Government needs to rethink its approach to education and work so that advantages and privileges do not become entrenched and persist over generations, President Halimah Yacob said on Monday (April 10).

To this end, the Government will provide more resources to those who start out with less as well as provide everyone with access to a good education and many chances in life to learn and improve.

The Government will also involve more stakeholders in nation-building as part of its efforts to build a new social compact for Singapore and tackle complex challenges ahead for the country.

"In particular, our youths show strong interest to take action and initiate change on issues they care about, like mental well-being and sustainability,” Mdm Halimah said.

“We will engage the ideas, dynamism and energy of our young Singaporeans.”

The president was laying out the Government’s priorities for the remainder of its current term of office during the opening of the second session of the 14th Parliament. Parliament reconvened on Monday following a mid-term break since March 24.

Mdm Halimah’s address to Parliament was also the final one for her present presidential term. The presidential election is scheduled to be held by September this year.

Among the priorities Mdm Halimah laid out was to expand opportunities for all people throughout their lives, regardless of their individual background and circumstances.

On the issue of meritocracy, Mdm Halimah said that those who have already done well will seek to pass their advantages on to their children, leading to a more stratified society.

To combat this tendency, the Government must ensure a “broader and more open meritocracy” that works well for all Singaporeans by rethinking its approach to education and work, said Mdm Halimah.

Besides providing more resources to the less privileged, the Government should also “re-examine how society rewards different skills and talents”, she said.

This means according greater value to those who are skilled in technical and practical abilities, and those with social and emphatic traits to excel in jobs like community service, she said.

“Every Singaporean must have the opportunity to take on work they find fulfilling and meaningful, build on their talents, give of their best, and be rewarded fairly for it,” she said.

As its second priority, the Government will improve social safety nets to help Singaporeans better cope with disruptions to the economy, especially older workers.

Additionally, every citizen will get to do “a significant skills reboot” in the course of their working lives to keep them employable, she said.

The Government will also strengthen the sense of assurance it provides to Singaporeans in other ways, such as taking better care of seniors through the Healthier SG initiative, and expanding care options for seniors.

Third, the Government will press on with its long term efforts to build a “green, connected and highly liveable” city, such as by developing new districts outside of the Central Business District, and strengthening the heritages of different neighbourhoods.

Finally, the Government will strengthen its collective responsibility to shape Singapore’s new social compact, she said.

“More government action should not result in a greater sense of dependency and entitlement. Instead, the Government will, through its actions, reinforce individual and family efforts, and bring forth contributions from other stakeholders,” said Mdm Halimah.

For instance, employers can invest in their workers, or community partners can support vulnerable families to complement government efforts, she said.

Besides youth, Mdm Halimah suggested businesses championing socially responsible practices and civil society as other stakeholders that the Government could engage in forming the country’s new social compact.

“Ultimately, our refreshed social compact is about a shared understanding of how we relate to and support one another in our next phase of nationhood.

“By pooling our individual expertise, experiences and resources, we can achieve better outcomes for ourselves, our fellow citizens and our nation, Singapore,” said the president.