It has been a long while since I had written here. I have been very busy and I foresee even more so for the following days or weeks. However, I decide to write this piece because I need to anchor my thoughts to some point in the universe, lest my mind wonders and I cannot focus my work.
There have been some critical articles and commentaries on Singapore's political and education environments or systems, most notably Joanne Leow's Journalism and Jiujitsu and those about the sad news of a 11-year-old boy’s suicide due to exam and parental stress.
It kinds of made me question: Is Singapore really this bad? Has it always been bad or has it turned bad? Have we adopted a bad system or has the model turned on us? Do we really need to change the system or is there a better system to go to?
It bothered be a bit for a while. Then it dawned on me. There is no such thing as a good or bad system. There is only a balanced or unbalanced system. A balanced system is one that benefits most people, not just an elite few.
Our political system has been a one to find a balance in pushing directed policies to improve our standard of living versus accommodating ideas and emotions from everyone on the ground. And our education system is one that balances absorbing knowhow that directly impacts our economy versus knowledge that liberates our environment.
A balanced system can in time becomes unbalanced and vice versa. So it needs taking time to tweak whatever system we have got. In a time when we no longer have any blueprints to follow or role models to emulate, we just have to hold on to what we have now and start tweaking.
Hopefully Singaporeans can find the patience to do that and not just be critical, resigned, or contented to the place that is so small yet is a home to so many people...
