Singapore’s Meritocracy: A Double‑Edged Sword
Why “winners” might feel a bit too proud
Sun Xueling, Singapore’s Minister of State for Social and Family Development (and also for Home Affairs), pointed out that the country’s famous meritocracy can sometimes leave folks who’ve climbed the ladder feeling a touch entitled. She told 90 bright‑eyed students at Singapore Polytechnic that these “winners” could start thinking their success is solely the result of hard work and talent, while the “losers” are “deserving” of no help because they didn’t hustle hard enough.
- Misconceptions abound: Success is rarely just talent—there are a bunch of hidden variables.
- “Entitlement” vs. “Collective responsibility”:
She urged a shift toward a shared duty to lift everyone, not just the privileged few.
The forward‑looking, kindness‑driven student panel
The session was part of the Forward Singapore movement—4G leaders’ mission to breathe fresh life into our social pact. Students aged 19‑26 were split into smaller groups to brainstorm and then regroup to share their insights.
Student voices—stories and reflections
Claudia Selvakumar, a 20‑year‑old second‑year at Ngee Ann Polytechnic, shared that her group talked about how people stuck in early setbacks often start believing they’re useless to society. She pointed out that this mindset sparks stigma, pushing these folks into “social bubbles” where no fresh perspective can enter.
- “We must support them and remind them that their past doesn’t dictate their future,” she added.
- She even admits she once compared herself to her older sister, who snagged a government scholarship and now sits comfortably in academia.
Torance Tan, an 18‑year‑old from St Joseph’s Institution, reflected on Singapore’s legacy of inter‑ethnic harmony. He argued that, though we’ve built a solid base of mutual respect, there’s still a minority of people who discriminate on race, religion or class.
- Instead of embracing “cancel culture,” which he calls toxic, he suggested practicing compassion.
- “Cancel culture” is basically the online version of being ostracised for crossing social lines—think racism, for instance.
Final words from Ms Sun
She wrapped up by stressing that early trauma—whether domestic violence or harsh childhood incidents—can have a ripple effect, shaping how a person acts in school or the workplace.
She also refreshed her heart with students eager to rethink what success means in Singapore and pumped them up to brainstorm real solutions for the problems they identified. The classroom was buzzing with ideas on how to broaden the nation’s yardstick for triumph and, above all, how to unite the community in a bond of shared responsibility rather than a sense of entitlement.
<img alt="" data-caption="Ms Sun spoke to 90 students from Singapore’s pre-tertiary institutions and institutes of higher learning at the dialogue session.
PHOTO: MSF” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”87d3bc25-4cb5-4d38-b47c-eb2c56c320d4″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/msf2.png”/>
Bringing the Quiet Voices to the Table
Ms Selvakumar recently reflected on the lively discussions held at campus forums. She praised the energy in the room but pointed out a gap that needs closing.
The Missing Guests
“We’re all gathered here because we want to be,” she mused, chuckling slightly. “But what about those who aren’t?”
Those silent shoulders – the ones who keep their heads down, think they’re invisible, or simply don’t feel comfortable speaking up – are often the most overlooked. Yet they’re the ones we need to hear the most.
Why Should We Care?
- Future Leaders: Their perspectives shape tomorrow’s Singapore.
- Unseen Insights: Ideas from the margins often spark the most groundbreaking solutions.
- Inclusivity Wins: When everyone feels heard, the entire community rallies stronger.
Ms Selvakumar’s Call to Action
“Engaging the disengaged isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a must for our future,” she said. “Let’s make sure those who need the most help are the ones whose voices lead the conversation.”
With a warm smile, she reminded everyone that the real magic happens when we welcome the quiet into the spotlight.