educating for the future

Tan Choon Seng

Group CEOWBL Corporation (Wearnes)

MANY Singapore-bred business leaders have benefitedfrom the country’s system of meritocracy and haverisen through the ranks, regardless of their almamater. In our selection of new employees, ourpreference is always for those who project a good workattitude and are a good fit to our corporate values. Acandidate’s previous work experience and academicachievements can only provide insights into his/herpotential to contribute to the company.

A shift in focus to a more rounded education systemwould put our youths in better stead to compete for jobsin an increasingly globalised economy.

Madhu Verma

FounderSoCh in Action

DOING away with the Secondary School BandingSystem is a positive step towards ensuring that theSingapore education system stays competitive andrelevant. The future realities and challenges that ourchildren will face will be very different from ours today.Skills in maths, science, and languages are importantbut these alone would not guarantee success for thenext generation. Creativity and character are asessential. Unless the academic pressure moves awayfrom strictly favouring grades and exams, there is verylittle room for these to shine and be nurtured.

Through our work with children, we have had theprivilege of seeing nine- to 14-year-olds rising to thechallenge of addressing real community problems. Wehave witnessed that when children are encouraged tothink, express their thoughts freely, and act by choice,they can bring fresh perspectives and solutions toproblems that we adults tend to overlook orundervalue.

Well-designed activities like service learning andcreative arts support better learning, and they shouldbe woven into the fabric of our children’s education,either through policy changes to improve the currentsystem or through collaborative programmes by theprivate sector and social enterprises.

Parents, too, play a key role and should be regularlyconsulted as changes are being defined andimplemented. We all have a stake in the future of ourchildren, and by inspiring them to be the change theywould like to see in the world, we will see them succeedand achieve their true potential.

Deb Loveridge

Managing DirectorRandstad

RECENT changes to the education system, such asplans for a “Student-Centric, Values-Driven Education”,are an important step in Singapore’s continuous effortto ensure a high-quality and high-class educationsystem.

To support these changes, business leaders andfamilies also need to change the mindset that certainacademic qualifications guarantee better-paying jobs. Ifour business community does not embrace this change,we run the risk of having a group of graduates withimpressive paper qualifications but who may lack“softer” qualities such as creativity and initiative. It willbe the ones with well-rounded talent who will help fuelSingapore’s business growth aspirations.

Thirumalai Chandroo

Chairman/CEOModern Montessori International Group

WHILE Singapore is determined to transform itseducative system and focus on delivering a morerounded education, there is still a need for alteration inthe mindset of parents and teachers to look beyond justexamination and grades.

To support education change that transcends schoolimprovements, quality teaching and increased opennessto knowledge, the development of student aptitude andcreative potential should be enhanced. Both parentsand teachers should create an environment enabling astrong foundation in the development of independentthinking, grace and courteousness in social skills andfree exploration of the environment. The aim should beto encourage students in building and developing theirabilities, fostering confidence and care for thecommunity in order to cope with the ever-evolvingeducation modes in the 21st century.

Scott Burnett

Managing Director-South East AsiaTowers Watson

A STRONG focus on academic excellence is an issuecommon to any society which prizes achievements.However, a well-rounded education is not just aboutacademic achievements and ranking. A holisticeducation system should encourage sharing of newideas and healthy debate. It should inculcate thinkingand problem-solving skills, as well as spur creativityand innovation in the future workforce of Singapore.

High levels of numeracy coupled with diversevocational courses help to develop a wide portfolio ofpractical skills to suit the needs of the industry. ForSingapore to maintain and increase its standard ofliving for its next generation, it would need to continueto add more value to the goods and services it producescompared to its peers. Singapore should continue toimprove its world-class educational system by movingthe needle on its vocational standards, strengtheningthe teaching profession and its overall approach byensuring that all students, local or foreign, have easieraccess to greater choices of education which are suitedto their interests, needs and talents.

Julian Quinn

Vice President, Asia PacificAdobe Systems Incorporated

I GREW up in Singapore and went to primary schoolhere. The changes we’ve seen in the always-advancingnational education system are just phenomenal andhave helped make Singapore the envy of the region inthis respect. The recently-announced changes areevident that the government’s direction for education isevolving to meet the needs of both students and theindustry.

With the wide array of gadgets in everyday use nowand the increased reliance on technology, employersare looking for more than just academic success. There

is now a great emphasis placed on how adept studentsare in the “3Cs” – “Creativity”, “Communication” and“Collaboration”. However, not only do we need to instilthis with students, but we also need to ensure that oureducators are well-equipped as they play a vital role inmoulding our students.

Businesses can definitely do more to contribute tothis. Here at Adobe, we work very closely with leadingeducation institutions in Singapore and across theregion by providing the tools to develop the criticaldigital communication and creativity skills needed intoday’s workforce. I’m inspired every time I visit one ofour school customers to see the amazing ways in whichstudents and teachers use our technology to workcollaboratively, communicate their ideas, and createfresh and wonderful new things.

Patrick Liew

CEOHSR Global Ltd

AS a company that houses Junior Achievement, aworld-renowned charity organisation that trains youngpeople in life skills, we believe that educating the youngcannot be relegated purely to parents and teachers. Wein the private sector can and should play our part inhelping them to inculcate values of a responsible citizenand member of society.

We can help the teachers and complement thecurriculum by training the young in work-readiness,entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and other skills soas to to help them capitalise on opportunities in the21st century. We can bring to them real-worldexperience and wisdom through a variety of projectsand programmes. As volunteers, we can organisepractical and hands-on workshops as a part ofclassroom lessons or co-curricular activities. We canalso arrange internships and job-shadow programmesto help the young understand the realities of theworking world.

In addition, we can conduct leadership and business

training, projects and competitions to enhance theirknowledge, skills and behaviour. To help them expandtheir potential and develop their competence, we canalso work with them to co-create new concepts, ideasand solutions.

We believe that the young have tremendouspotential for creativity, innovation and action. When theprivate sector works closely with the schools, we canhelp to unleash and channel their energy for the goodof the community and groom them to become betterleaders in the future.Patrick Liew is also the Chairman for JuniorAchievement (Singapore).

Ronald LeeManaging DirectorPrimeStaff Management Services Pte Ltd

WHILE Singapore’s education system has been laudedby some global education experts for its high standards,it has certainly encountered its fair share of criticismtoo. These changes are a good starting point as therehas been a glitch in the system for far too long – a greatimbalance that focused too much on academicachievement. Abolishing the academic banding will gosome way towards creating a more balanced system.

However, what is of greater importance is ensuringthat the curriculum incorporates a greater emphasis oncharacter-building to create truly well-roundedindividuals. There also needs to be a paradigm shiftwithin the family support system; away from piling ontuition and supplementary classes to more activitiesthat help build character and values, such as doingvolunteer and charity work together as a family.

Businesses can contribute to this transformation byskewing their hiring policies towards a strongeremphasis on recruiting individuals with a morewell-rounded background, such as fresh graduates whoexcelled in co-curricular activities as well as candidateswho complement their professional accomplishmentswith volunteer work.

Continued on Page 16

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Educating for the future

THIS WEEK’S TOPIC:Are the recently announced changes sufficient to achieve the transformation of Singapore’s education system or

does more need to be done? How can businesses and families contribute to this transformation?

14 VIEWS FROM THE TOP The Business Times, Monday, September 24, 2012