Is It Time to Let Meritocracy Go?: Examining the Case of Singapore

Official statistics show that the Malay population has sustained the lowest academic achievement from 1987 to 2011, raising the possibility of a politically induced, systemic inequality. Nadira Talib's book investigates education policies by drawing on philosophical perspectives and critical discourse analysis to show how the historical constitution of the learner is linked to the legitimisation of inequitable education policies that favour corporatist practices.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 222 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

Despite the claims of equal opportunity, official statistics released by the Ministry of Education, Singapore, reveal that a significant portion of the Malay population has consistently achieved the lowest academic achievement from 1987 to 2011. This statistical portrayal raises the possibility of a politically induced, systemic inequality as a point of investigation.

To investigate this apparent contradiction between the rhetoric and practice of equal educational opportunity, Nadira Talib employs a synthesis of philosophical perspectives and critical discourse analysis to elucidate how the historical constitution of the learner is intertwined with the legitimization of inequitable education policies that favor corporatist practices. By making explicit how the underlying assumption of the policy's "logic" that increasing expenditure on "talents must necessarily involve the increasing welfare of everybody is both unsubstantiated and arbitrary, the book presents a moral political problem in demonstrating how education policies are unfounded and unsupported through the idea of meritocracy.

The book's analysis reveals that education policies in Singapore are driven by a neoliberal ideology that prioritizes market-driven reforms and the promotion of corporate interests. This ideology is evident in the government's emphasis on "skill-based education" and "lifelong learning," which are designed to meet the demands of the corporate sector and prepare students for the job market. However, the underlying assumption of this policy logic is that increasing expenditure on "talents" will necessarily lead to the improvement of everyone's welfare. Talib challenges this assumption by arguing that it is unsubstantiated and arbitrary. She suggests that the policy's focus on "talents" is driven by a desire to promote inequality and perpetuate the dominance of certain groups of people, such as the privileged and the well-connected.

Furthermore, Talib argues that education policies in Singapore are shaped by a political economy that values economic growth and competitiveness over social welfare and equity. This political economy is characterized by a concentration of wealth and power in the hands of a few, which leads to the marginalization of marginalized groups and the perpetuation of social inequalities. Talib's book provides a powerful critique of education policies in Singapore and offers a way forward for policymakers and educators to address the underlying issues of inequality and promote a more just and equitable education system.

Weight: 410g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780367502874