ST Forum Online Story March 19, 2007
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ST Forum > Online Story
March 19, 2007
Disturbing it should be considered acceptable to be distraught at not achieving perfection
I FEEL compelled to respond to Mr Lim Boon Tong's letter, 'You need brains or lots of dough to pursue higher education' (Online Forum, March 10). He defends the weeping of the A-level students at Raffles Junior College as a reflection of the famed Rafflesian spirit that causes students to strive for excellence in all fields.
I have not studied in RI. Nor has my personal path been particularly entwined with that of a Rafflesian. Mr Lim's personal account is the first I have heard describing the ethos of this famous school. What I find disturbing is that it should be considered acceptable - commendable, even - to be so distraught at not achieving perfection.
These students are the cream of our academic crop. A large portion will presumably go on to premier institutions of higher learning and in time will occupy positions of authority and power. The old stereotype that 'RI boys rule the country' is not entirely without basis.
In the new economy where rules are re-written with each new venture, I would be more comfortable with leaders who are acquainted with failure and setbacks, rather than with someone whose CV begins with an honour roll of his awards and scholarships.
Mr Lim also says it is normal for students to chase paper qualifications in their youth as there will be time for non-academic pursuits later. We do a disservice to our young when we tell them to 'concentrate on their studies' when they are young and worry about other things later. To be able to hold a conversation well, to have the skills to negotiate a sticky issue, to be a good judge of character, to have the mental strength to go beyond a setback, to be able to see another person's point of view, to have the heart to see another person's need - these are skills that require time-consuming investment outside of self and studies.
In the two decades since my own junior college days I have learnt many times over that the measure of a man is not where he started (with perfect scores at every major exam, for example), nor is it the place he has arrived at (CEO at 40 years of age?), but how he has travelled along his journey.
I hope my eulogy will describe me as a good wife and a loving mother, or as a good friend, or as someone who inspired others to be something more, and not as someone who did well in her O and A levels, who collected a clutch of degrees, and who landed a plum job that enabled her to buy a condominium before she turned 30.
It is vital we teach our young to look at life and achievements and failures and imperfections in perspective.
Ong Chooi Peng (Mrs)
Texas, USA -
Omg.
Will this soon turn into a some kind of national debate on Rafflesian values?
I won't be surprised if people from the Raffles side and non-Raffles side start shooting letters to the ST forum.
Will this turn into another "Get out of my elite uncaring face" type incident?
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ST Forum > Online Story
Not having read Lim Boon Tong's Letter, i have to agree that our system is one that does not tolerate failure. In essence, many of our people do not know how to react and bounce back upon meeting a setback.
March 19, 2007
Disturbing it should be considered acceptable to be distraught at not achieving perfection
I FEEL compelled to respond to Mr Lim Boon Tong's letter, 'You need brains or lots of dough to pursue higher education' (Online Forum, March 10). He defends the weeping of the A-level students at Raffles Junior College as a reflection of the famed Rafflesian spirit that causes students to strive for excellence in all fields.
I have not studied in RI. Nor has my personal path been particularly entwined with that of a Rafflesian. Mr Lim's personal account is the first I have heard describing the ethos of this famous school. What I find disturbing is that it should be considered acceptable - commendable, even - to be so distraught at not achieving perfection.
These students are the cream of our academic crop. A large portion will presumably go on to premier institutions of higher learning and in time will occupy positions of authority and power. The old stereotype that 'RI boys rule the country' is not entirely without basis.
In the new economy where rules are re-written with each new venture, I would be more comfortable with leaders who are acquainted with failure and setbacks, rather than with someone whose CV begins with an honour roll of his awards and scholarships.
Mr Lim also says it is normal for students to chase paper qualifications in their youth as there will be time for non-academic pursuits later. We do a disservice to our young when we tell them to 'concentrate on their studies' when they are young and worry about other things later. To be able to hold a conversation well, to have the skills to negotiate a sticky issue, to be a good judge of character, to have the mental strength to go beyond a setback, to be able to see another person's point of view, to have the heart to see another person's need - these are skills that require time-consuming investment outside of self and studies.
In the two decades since my own junior college days I have learnt many times over that the measure of a man is not where he started (with perfect scores at every major exam, for example), nor is it the place he has arrived at (CEO at 40 years of age?), but how he has travelled along his journey.
I hope my eulogy will describe me as a good wife and a loving mother, or as a good friend, or as someone who inspired others to be something more, and not as someone who did well in her O and A levels, who collected a clutch of degrees, and who landed a plum job that enabled her to buy a condominium before she turned 30.
It is vital we teach our young to look at life and achievements and failures and imperfections in perspective.
Ong Chooi Peng (Mrs)
Texas, USA
The weeping of students during the release of the 'A' level results is an example of how seriously our young take their paper grades. Many may be complacent, having expected straight 'As', but receiving average grades at the end. -
It's a good thing that our students aim high and it is understandable if some are emotional after failing to achieve their goals.
What do we want young Singaporeans to do? Congratulate themselves and jump with joy when they get 2As in school or some similarly low benchmark in other fields such as sports and profession?
During my school days, I also see some x-country sportsgirls cry when their team got silver medal. It's just a temporary thing and I'm sure they got over it soon enough. I guess some ST Forum writer worry too much when they assume that the 4As students will not get over their disappointment.
By the way, any reports how our "elite, uncaring face" score for A levels? -
She already had her 15 minutes of fame.Originally posted by dracky:It's a good thing that our students aim high and it is understandable if some are emotional after failing to achieve their goals.
What do we want young Singaporeans to do? Congratulate themselves and jump with joy when they get 2As in school or some similarly low benchmark in other fields such as sports and profession?
During my school days, I also see some x-country sportsgirls cry when their team got silver medal. It's just a temporary thing and I'm sure they got over it soon enough. I guess some ST Forum writer worry too much when they assume that the 4As students will not get over their disappointment.
By the way, any reports how our "elite, uncaring face" score for A levels?
You expect the ST to feature her in a half page interview? -
Although I am a Raffles alumni, I have to agree with Mrs Ong's views. Circumstances have changed, and priorities have to be refocused. It is no longer enough to focus so much on academic achievements. It is knowing how to put knowledge and skills to good use, and cultivate good attitudes, which are important, and unfortunately many schools in Singapore still do not see this.
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Well said Mrs Ong!!! weewee!