07 June 2018

Recently in Parliament, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the problem of stratification in Singapore society. He stressed how it must not be difficult people with talent or ability, but lacking the right backgrounds and connections, to rise to the top.

Citing the example of Raffles Institution, PM Lee noted that over the years, the elite Singapore school has become less diverse. Just about half of current RI students live in public housing (compared to 80 per cent of Singaporeans who live in public flats). When the school reaches out to parents, it is told how some fear their child would not be able to fit in with more well-off students in RI.

Experts believe the Singapore education system over the years has become less of a social leveller. It has been suggested that the Singapore government relooking schemes that advantage richer families, such as the Direct School Admission system.

Member of Parliament Denise Phua argued that it is an open secret that the DSA benefits children who have the means to be nurtured in specific areas from young.