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I refer to Fiona Cher’s commentary on the article “5 out of 100 points enough to enter varsity in Taiwan”.

With regards to this issue, I share her sentiments. The purpose of an education system is to boost literacy rate and prepare students for employment. The so called “cream of the crop” is selected based on criteria like the university admission requirements. They have to meet a certain standard to ensure their capabilities. However, when minimum university admission requirement is lifted, everyone will be able to get promoted even if they are not up to the standard. Hence, Getting into university and graduating with a certificate will be a norm.

Forsake quality for equity? Yes, it is essentially important to ensure that everyone is given equal treatment. However, this situation is similar to entrusting an arduous task to an incapable person. The result will not be ideal. Similarly, undergraduates would not form a high quality workforce and may not be ready to face the challenges in the competitive world of today. Hence, as compared to equity, quality should be preferred.

It seems rather unfair that students in Taiwan are able to secure a place in the university with such low aggregate. One of them even managed to enter the university with a score of less than five points out on average out of 100 for each of the four subjects. On the other hand, the education system in Singapore is so different. As compared to the situation in Singapore, students are required to ace every of their subjects to get into more competitive courses like medicine law. We are taught that only the better ones can “survive” in this competitive society where education holds a significant degree of importance. Only the “cream of the crop” can be promoted to higher education. Thus, we are constantly reminded by parents and teachers to strive and excel in studies to keep up with the changing world. Hence, I think it is not a wise idea to relax university admission in Taiwan.

posted by Si Hui @ 9:35 PM