Is meritocracy in question?
For those of you who don’t already know, the Government had recently implemented a scheme that will take effect in 2019. The scheme makes it mandatory for affiliated schools to reserve 20% of places for non-affiliated students to ensure fairness in terms of admissions. While many Singaporeans supported and rejoiced at the news, there were some who expressed concerns.
Strong ties
Secondary schools take in students from affiliated Primary schools to maintain their strong school culture. These are usually schools with religious or clan associations.
Some students chose to study in affiliated schools because of their loyalty towards the school, as well as school pride. And some believe that it has a positive impact in terms of retaining the schools’ long-held culture and tradition.
In a Straits Times interview, a parent with sons in Primary 2 and 6 at Anglo-Chinese School (Primary), Mrs Lim, 47, “feared that the new rule could dilute the school’s culture.”
She added that “it may prevent pupils from affiliated schools who are academically weaker from joining the school, including those with special needs and disabilities.”
Anglo-Chinese School (Primary) is just one of the 27 schools with affiliated secondary schools.
From an earlier Straits Times article, Ms Sara Ann Lim similarly expressed her worries on the dilution of the generous priority given to affiliated pupils saying “Catholic parents like me want our children to remain in the same school. So, surely the cut-off should be kept to the minimum. As long as pupils make it to the Express stream, they should be given a place in the affiliated secondary school.”
To put it into context, some schools with affiliation, such as CHIJ Toa Payoh has a cut off point of 200 for affiliated students, while non-affiliated students have to score higher than 40 more points, at minimum to enter the school.
Opposing views
On the other hand, there were Singaporeans who wished for the increase in percentage of vacancies available for non-affiliated students. Many also questioned the existence of affiliation to begin with and how it strayed far from the practice of meritocracy in Singapore.
These were rebutted by those who defended the idea and criticised the new scheme – mostly from parents with children currently in affiliated schools or even former students who speak from experience.
So, what is your take on this? Do you agree with the new plans?
Let us know in the comments below!
