Education is about enhancing capacity and passion to learn

I read The Straits Times this week (9th April, 2010) about the number of awards and medals our Singapore schools have won, including international debates, arts and dances. We, Singaporeans have reasons to feel proud of the achievements for their teachers and pupils' hard works and efforts. Nevetheless, let's not be carried away by these glories. Our education system should stay focused on our pupils character building, inculcation of moral values as well as enhancing our pupils' capacities and passions of lifelong learnings. It is not about competition and comparison among schools, pupils and even with other countries. Too often, I feel that our education system over-emphasized on the quantifiable element of ranking, never missed any opportunities to compare and compete with others. World champion marathoners stayed very focused - they succeed by breaking personal records, not about winning by beating others. We need to introduce the TQM (Total Quality Management) mindset and best practices among our teachers and pupils in our schools. Only then, we can have a future Singapore truly "built to last".
强中更有强中手, 一山自有一山高.