In Singapore, the debate over whether neighbourhood schools are inferior to so-called elite schools rages on years after years. I think we need to looks at different perspectives to draw a conclusion.

In my opinion, all these debates are mainly due to people’s obsession with image. The phenomenon in Singapore is that majority of the population take image issues seriously. In the same article, one student from an elite school comments that elite schools help to project a good image on the students. This belief reverberates among many Singaporean students and their parents. As a result, many strive for the best school possible, as they believe that elite schools are superior to neighbourhood schools.

In terms of providing opportunities, neighbourhood schools may not do as a good job as elite schools because they have a different focus from each other. Different schools have different admission criteria. Singapore is a nation that emphasizes on meritocracy, which also forms the basic guideline that all schools adhere to when it comes to formulating their respective educational policies. As a result, if your scores are fabulous, more choices of schools, both neighbourhood and elite, will be open to you to further your education. If your results are not up to certain schools’ requirements, then you are likely to be rejected and your choices of schools will be limited. So, the standard of most schools are actually fixed in the first place, with good schools enrolling only top-notch students. For instance, Raffle’s Junior College only recruits students with grade of A1 in all subjects in their “O” level examinations while some eighbourhood Junior Colleges take in students with Bs and Cs. The system in elite schools only cater to students who are good at grasping knowledge and have potentials in attaining various kinds of scholarships. They focus a great deal on portfolio building rather than academic achievements, as they are confident that their students are academically capable and able to score well in the end since all of them have met the strict criteria at the admission point. However, for schools that accept students with decent grades, their focus is to push their students to a greater height on the academic ladder. They are not aiming for scholarships. Logically, if one is not performing well academically, they may have difficulties in entering local universities, let along obtaining scholarship and allocating time for non-academic activities. Thus, in neighbourhood schools, opportunities are not off wide range. It is not that the schools are not willing to provide the chances. The problems lie in the lacking of capable students who can cope with both academic load and intensive co-curriculum programmes such as competitions and activities aiming at developing various life skills in students. It is not realistic for the school to start a course just for a small group of pupils. It has to utilize its MOE-allocated fund appropriately and wisely and ensure that every sum of money spent would bring benefits to the general population of the school. In Strait Time article, titled “neighbourhood vs. elite schools: Does it matter?” a student grumble that when it comes to picking students to represent Singapore in overseas trips, like conferences and seminars, those chosen usually come from the elite school. Those from neighbourhood schools have a much lower chance of going. Unfortunately, Singapore is run based on merit, opportunities are often granted to students with good scores. Thus, opportunities in elite schools are generally wider than neighbourhood schools.

However, the quality of teaching would be the same across the board and facilities are comparable. All teachers in Singapore have undergone professional training and they are equally capable in guiding their students, instilling knowledge in and motivating their students. Almost every school has an advisory committee to provide financial support besides the fixed amount of funding allocated by the government. Facilities in some neighbourhood schools may be better than some elite schools. In this case, I do not find any difference between neighbourhood schools and elite schools. All schools have computers and science laboratories for students to research. No students are denied the resources to grasp knowledge and to score well in examinations.

There are essentially no differences between neighbourhood schools and elite schools. Students have to evaluate which school best suits their needs. Like what teachers and principals here always stress, it is of “no point choosing a school which has a good name and good academic results, but where one cannot catch up”. Also, being enrolled in elite schools does not mean that one will definitely do well, as constant hard work is still essential.