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One of the four key principles of govern-ance in Singapore is: “Reward for Work; Work for Reward”. Singapore is a meritocratic society. The Singapore National Education website touts: “the system of meritocracy in Singapore ensures that the best and brightest, regardless of race, religion and socio-economic background are encouraged to develop to their fullest potential.” In essence, Singapore society greatly values and encourages intellectual pursuit as this is seen as the only way to success in life.
From a very young age, students in Singapore are taught the value of intellectual pursuit. Primary School students are “streamed” going into Primary 3, sorting them into classes based on their intellectual ability. However, streaming is not enough. Students are further tested to qualify for the Gifted Education Programme and placed in special “Gifted” classes. These divisions by intellect impress upon young children that the only way to the “top” is through the pursuit of intelligence or in simpler Singlish term: “study lor”.
Meritocracy is not all bad; it ensures that all Singaporeans have a fair chance of competition in our society. However, it also makes intellectual pursuit the most important ingredient in the recipe of success in life. Our society becomes overly competitive to the point where many Singaporeans value intellectual pursuit above all else.
King Solomon in the Bible book of Ecclesiastes Chapter 2 acknowledges that indeed “wisdom is better than folly, just as light is better than darkness”. However, he also notes that regardless of how smart or wise you are, “the same fate overtakes them both”. In terms of the timeframe of eternity, wisdom and intellectual pursuit are meaning-less – “a chasing after the wind”. Should we then simply stop intellectual pursuit? Students drop out of school, researchers stop work, etc? Certainly not! There is a definite place for intellectual pursuit in our lives. The Bible teaches us to: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Tim. 2:15). For Christians: “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters” (Colossians 3:23). We must make a conscious effort to put Jesus above all else, whether at home, in school or at our work-place. We must always remember that while intellectual pursuit does HAVE its purpose, it cannot GIVE our lives purpose. Only living for and serving Jesus can.
