Education is not just about preparing students for future careers and fulfilling their personal aspirations ("'More can be done' to help young"; Nov 9).

It is also about producing moral, responsible, productive and useful citizens who know how to work with others to address social injustice, have creative and innovative skills to value-add to people and the environment, and make the world a better place.

Without cultivating positive values in students from a young age, we will never be able to build a well-developed society, a home that is characterised by graciousness, compassion and overall well-being.

In addition, we cannot assume that students - or, for that matter, educators and career counselors - know what is best for themselves in the future ("The jobs - they are a-changing"; Nov 9).

The Ministry of Education and other parties in the public, people, private and political sectors need to synergise with one another in creating the conditions and dynamics to help students thrive in the brave new world of disorder.

We need to help students develop the right mindset, competence, connections and resources to succeed in a fast-changing and hyper-competitive environment.

Our students need to develop self-directed learning skills, adaptability, grit and resilience to not only adapt but to also shape the future.

Patrick Liew Siow Gian (Dr)