SINGAPORE: In a recent episode of Pass the Power podcast, Paige Parker talked to Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) about education, as the MP is, by day, an Associate Professor of Economics at ESSEC Business School.

Ms Parker and her husband moved to Singapore in 2007 because they wanted their two daughters to grow fluent in Mandarin. She asked Assoc Prof Lim about his thoughts on Singapore’s educational system, being a firm believer in it herself. Compared to the United States, where she is from, students in Singapore perform at “an incredibly high level.”

“Where I’m from, the people can’t do multiplication; they can’t do noun-verb agreement,” Ms Parker said. “So I think the rigor and the level of education that’s demanded of students here, I’m all for it.”

Assoc Prof Lim acknowledged her points but added that Singapore’s educational system does not work well for everyone.

For students who are a neurodivergent, who are “a little different,” or are late bloomers, “the system doesn’t draw out the best in you.”

While many Singaporeans have excelled in their fields, they don’t have the same “flair or creative spirit” that characterizes students from other systems.

Ms Parker recounted that as a child, her mother did not push her as hard as she could have, whereas now, when her daughters score 98 out of 100 on tests, she’s the kind of mum who grills them on why they missed two points.

Assoc Prof Lim said his mum was a tiger mum as well, but added that some children might not have it in them to get perfect grades, no matter how hard they try.

“They need to know that they’re just as valued and loved,” he said.

When asked about a memorable incident from his schooling days, Assoc Prof Lim told her that he has been—and still is—a troublemaker.

“One of my teachers decided I would be less disruptive if he put me in the trash bin. So in I went, apparently I reveled in being in the trash bin. I was very happy. I was still able somehow to distract people while I was in it.”

“This is giving me Sesame Street vibes,” said Ms Parker, laughing.

“There you go,” the MP said. “And I do like Oscar (the Grouch).”

A stroke of brilliance from a Primary 3 teacher made Assoc Prof Lim the leader of fellow troublemakers in class, significantly impacting him. She brought out the leadership and competitiveness in him and his other classmates, some of whom have had very successful careers.

He added that it would be good for teachers to have the flexibility to allow students to blossom at their own pace.

Watch the full episode below:

/TISG

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