Meritocracy in its purest form is a social system that gives the greatest power and highest social positions to people with the most ability, where the talented are chosen and moved ahead on a basis of their achievements. It filters people based on capability and flair rather than on class privilege or wealth. In the context of Singapore’s education system which is known to be meritocratic in nature, students’ capabilities are assessed through national examinations. Students are streamed into different schools based on their calibres. In such a system, it would mean removing the catchments where well-off children are bolstered from bearing the consequences of a lack of merit. However, does Singapore’s education system really reflect meritocracy?
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In other words, one’s parents’ statuses and wealth would be able to triumph over others’ hard work and talents. With rising parental intervention, it would lead to an unequal balance in advantages placed on students due to the differing social classes of their parents. Parents with education are more likely to have a larger social capital with can help earn an edge for their child over their peers. Children of parents who are either part of an alumni association or parent volunteer would stand a higher chance of getting a spot in a renowned primary school (Ministry of Education, 2015). In the top primary and secondary schools, a lopsided number of students are from well-to-do and educated family backgrounds: 6 out of 10 live in private property, when only 2 out of 10 of Singaporeans overall do (Chang, 2013). Moving on to higher education, students with parents of higher statuses can depend on them to tap on their connections to help them climb up the social ladder such as securing an internship or job spot. This defeats the purpose of having a meritocratic education system as parents of the upper tier possess greater leverage due to their social capital which can determine their child’s future, instead of their own merits and
In other words, one’s parents’ statuses and wealth would be able to triumph over others’ hard work and talents. With rising parental intervention, it would lead to an unequal balance in advantages placed on students due to the differing social classes of their parents. Parents with education are more likely to have a larger social capital with can help earn an edge for their child over their peers. Children of parents who are either part of an alumni association or parent volunteer would stand a higher chance of getting a spot in a renowned primary school (Ministry of Education, 2015). In the top primary and secondary schools, a lopsided number of students are from well-to-do and educated family backgrounds: 6 out of 10 live in private property, when only 2 out of 10 of Singaporeans overall do (Chang, 2013). Moving on to higher education, students with parents of higher statuses can depend on them to tap on their connections to help them climb up the social ladder such as securing an internship or job spot. This defeats the purpose of having a meritocratic education system as parents of the upper tier possess greater leverage due to their social capital which can determine their child’s future, instead of their own merits and