School quiz reveals elitist mindset

I refer to last Sunday's article, 'What's your type?'.

The article may have taken a light-hearted approach to the topic of school stereotypes, but this banter may have ignored a deeper malaise in the Singapore school system.

The quiz revealed a mindset which Singaporeans hold dear: Attending a top school in Singapore immediately propels you to a higher social standing, and becoming part of the 'elite' is something to strive for.

As a nation, if we truly believe that meritocracy is the bedrock of our education system, we should not hold on to these elitist ideas.

The purpose of meritocracy is to increase fairness to the masses through promotion by talent and ability, and to overthrow the concept of an elite.

Being a student of a top secondary school or junior college only entitles one to the satisfaction that he or she are in the top percentile of his or her cohort academically, and should not be seen as an indicator of status.

Many Singaporeans build their sense of worth around the elite schools they have attended, and feel that they should be accorded better treatment in the workplace or in society as a right.

This should not be the case, as true meritocracy exhorts the individual to perform well through continued show of competence for the rest of one's life.

It would be a tragedy if all former students of Singapore's elite schools are stereotyped as arrogant and ungrateful for the opportunities accorded to them.

Jean Tan (Ms)