Forum: Re-examine national policies to broaden definitions of success
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Prime Minister Lawrence Wong’s vision of success resonates with many, particularly it being not a zero-sum game, and that Singapore truly succeeds only when we succeed together (Let’s broaden definitions of success to go beyond academic, material achievements: PM Wong, June 23).
Perhaps it is time to re-examine some of our national policies. Currently, students sitting the national examinations at the primary, secondary, and junior college levels, as well as those at autonomous universities, are graded on a zero-sum bell curve system.
After graduation, those who work in the civil service find their annual remuneration and promotion opportunities also based on a ranking system. Even car ownership involves competition through the certificate of entitlement bidding process.
These policies foster an individualistic culture where people are reluctant to help one another, fearing their peers might eventually outdo them.
For decades, materialism has been ingrained in Singaporeans. Essentially, the only way to have more choices in life is to be ahead of peers. In an environment of rising living costs and housing prices, convincing people to stop worrying about status or rewards is challenging. We need to re-examine our policies to enable this paradigm shift.
Li Wei Jun
