Just some thoughts

"Successive Singaporean governments have made strong commitments to and investments in education. Playing several key roles in Singapore's rapid growth over the past 50 years, education spearheaded its economic development... A good example has been Singapore's promotion of the scientific, technical and business disciplines over the arts and humanities." - James Albright and Anneliese Kramer-Dahl

I remember having varied interests and wishing to pursue them, things like archaeology, and other interesting topics, and searching local University pamphlets for courses that I might take to purse them, and finding myself empty-handed.

Then slowly realising that living on a small island, we only train people to do things that our island needs. This utilitarianism. Very logical to me then. Even if I went overseas to study something I'm passionate in, when I come back, I may not have a job.

I think that was one of those times I turned a bit less idealistic and a bit more realistic.

Now, 5 years on, looking back... I wonder what it would have been like to pursue my dreams, take the paths less traveled, and not follow what the government wants for the city blindly.

I don't know if this would be selfishness (the country needs more engineers, more molecular biologists, more IT people!), it might be punished (not being able to find a job, for example), but looking back, I wish I had the ability to think outside the box and not follow blindly.

Education was meant to be fun and lifelong, enabling one to discover her passions and abilities, not a pursuit of qualifications to feed materialism.

I think many will disagree with me on this.

I think many will want to find a job with a high pay.