Here is another instance of how our ministers are so out of touch with the ground as they look down on us from their ivory towers.
In a dialogue on further education at ITE College East, Education Minister of State Lawrence Wong said, "That's what happens when you have a sort of heedless desire to get a degree or diploma without understanding the broader issues," he noted.
Obviously, Lawrence Wong does not understand that Singapore has been shaped to be a city where paper qualifications matter so much more over skills. Whenever possible, who would not follow the progression from a junior college or polytechnic education to a degree? Is it wrong for people to want to better themselves with skills and knowledge? If there are insufficient places, why are there so many foreign students in the local universities? Why do so many locals have to study abroad when their grades allow them to enroll in a local university?
What Lawrence Wong seem to be saying is that if you are in the lowest rung of the social ladder, just stay there and do not dream of climbing up that elitist ladder. That ivory tower is not for us, peasants.
Further education hot topic at ITE dialogue
The move to increase the intake of Institute of Technical Education (ITE) graduates at polytechnics is underway, but the topic of further education still weighed on the minds of about 100 ITE students at a dialogue with Education Minister of State Lawrence Wong yesterday.
Several students from the three ITE campuses at REACH's Kopi Talk dialogue held at ITE College East asked if opportunities for them to upgrade after graduating could be expanded.
Mr Wong said he understood their aspirations but not everyone would be able to pursue a diploma at a polytechnic immediately after obtaining their Higher NITEC.
This was due to limited places at local polytechnics and employers' demand for ITE graduates. "If everyone can move up, we will not have enough ITE graduates out there in the workforce," he said.
"At the end, it's the number of places we can provide … I don't think we'll be able to satisfy everyone, frankly," he said.
By 2015, one in four ITE graduates will be able to make it to polytechnic, up from one in five currently.
Mr Wong also cautioned against a scenario where the industry is unable to cope with the number of degree or diploma holders seeking jobs. He recounted how on a previous trip to Paris, all applicants for a receptionist job at the Singapore embassy were degree holders.
"That's what happens when you have a sort of heedless desire to get a degree or diploma without understanding the broader issues," he noted.
On why ITE graduates could not opt for polytechnic courses unrelated to their area of study, Mr Wong said the ITE is meant to be a foundation for polytechnic education.
Other questions raised were about the upcoming schools catering only to Normal (Technical) students and on keeping school fees affordable.
Mr Wong said the Government recently enhanced bursary programmes and would enhance them again if necessary.
Specialised Normal (Technical) schools, which open in 2013 and 2014, would have the same programme as other schools but its teachers and a curriculum would be better catered to the needs of students, he explained.
ITE College West Higher NITEC business administration student Seri Nur Haziqah found the dialogue "engaging" as it touched on the importance of character, and felt Mr Wong's replies were "lengthy" but "relevant".
Separately yesterday, the North East Community Development Council announced its North East Education Awards - which awards two students from each eligible school with S$400 to S$900 - would be extended to all ITE campuses here.
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