Ace in class but not the world

Recently the local papers reported that our top students do very well in exams but do not make successful scientist, business men, inventors. I think its largely due to our education (exam focus) and the quest to follow a stable profession. If you are lucky, you find passion in what you do in life. While most do what Singapore feels will bring in the most $$. But never to question what it is that the individual want to do.

The main issue is, to think out of the box and to challenge the norm. We are mostly a citizen of automatons. We abide by the rules. Follow what our teachers tell us to do. We have been instilled since young not to challenge. MOE is trying to change the school syllabus to change students mindset, but yet there are OB (out of bound) markers. These markers limit more then what they are intended to do. They stifle the freedom to challenge the unthinkable. The US is also a multi-racial/religious country, but yet, they do not have these markers.. But then again, they have the freedom of speech.

I guess no matter what, we still cannot run away from the fact that Singapore is a tiny island without natural resource. We do not have the luxuries of other bigger countries. We are constantly trying to compete to stay relevant. It is this fear that will drive the majority of us to be automatons. Productive, industrious and obedient. Never to think out of the box and create. Just follow what big brother tells us. He cannot be wrong(?)