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<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR><TD class=msgtxt>Mar 27, 2010
TRADING AFFILIATION FOR TALENT: SJI'S CONUNDRUM
Don't put a school before its students
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THE more I read about how some schools go out of their way to admit students with high entry grades, the more I am convinced of two trends: creeping elitism in these schools and their penchant for a glowing image. Wednesday's report, 'SJI to meet on its future and intake', is a case in point.
Some argued there is nothing wrong with elitism in education, pointing to Ivy League schools in other countries.
We have to ask ourselves, though, if we need to emulate them to move forward, bearing in mind we are concerned here with general education, not specialised fields of study that are the raison d'etre of universities for whom prestige counts for much.
Although St Joseph's Institution (SJI) has yet to decide whether to go elite, the board of governors has hinted as much, failing which, the board believes, the school will face a mediocre future.
One Josephian is even worried that restricting the intake of new talent, that is, students with high grades, might spell the end of the school.
Such sentiments are misplaced. What has the image of a school to do with providing a sound education? Why should bright students be used to boost its future status or ensure its survival? In prioritising the school ahead of the students, aren't we putting the cart before the horse?
Schools that spurn mediocre students for fear of their negative impact are sending them this message: You are not good enough for us; accepting you would spoil our image and jeopardise our future.
We do not need such schools; we need more that are willing to face the challenge - to accept students of varying abilities to draw out the best in each, and not let grades get in their way of experiencing the best education these schools can offer.
If SJI can formulate an admission policy on this basis, its prestige, let alone its survival, will be the least of its worries.
Lee Seck Kay
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TRADING AFFILIATION FOR TALENT: SJI'S CONUNDRUM
Don't put a school before its students
<!-- by line --><!-- end by line -->
<!-- end left side bar --><!-- story content : start -->
THE more I read about how some schools go out of their way to admit students with high entry grades, the more I am convinced of two trends: creeping elitism in these schools and their penchant for a glowing image. Wednesday's report, 'SJI to meet on its future and intake', is a case in point.
Some argued there is nothing wrong with elitism in education, pointing to Ivy League schools in other countries.
We have to ask ourselves, though, if we need to emulate them to move forward, bearing in mind we are concerned here with general education, not specialised fields of study that are the raison d'etre of universities for whom prestige counts for much.
Although St Joseph's Institution (SJI) has yet to decide whether to go elite, the board of governors has hinted as much, failing which, the board believes, the school will face a mediocre future.
One Josephian is even worried that restricting the intake of new talent, that is, students with high grades, might spell the end of the school.
Such sentiments are misplaced. What has the image of a school to do with providing a sound education? Why should bright students be used to boost its future status or ensure its survival? In prioritising the school ahead of the students, aren't we putting the cart before the horse?
Schools that spurn mediocre students for fear of their negative impact are sending them this message: You are not good enough for us; accepting you would spoil our image and jeopardise our future.
We do not need such schools; we need more that are willing to face the challenge - to accept students of varying abilities to draw out the best in each, and not let grades get in their way of experiencing the best education these schools can offer.
If SJI can formulate an admission policy on this basis, its prestige, let alone its survival, will be the least of its worries.
Lee Seck Kay
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