Could Singapore's education system be improved?

It was reported that Singapore ranked 3rd in a finding conducted by PISA. But before we rejoice at this amazing 3rd place finish out of 65 countries, let's look at what this survey is about - hours spent on homework each week. Yes, students in Singapore spent an average of 9.7 hours on homework each week, surpassing the international average of 5 hours. This comes as no surprise given the popularly known rigid framework that the country's education system adopts. The endlessly drilling in of knowledge and numbers into the youthful minds of young Singaporeans definitely isn't a positive way of learning. Rote learning, rather is what defines Singapore's education system. The conformist education system means that Singaporeans are preoccupied with what their schools want them to do and not what they want to do themselves, which leave them with no time to pursue what they truly love in life. Yes, the local education system can be lauded for the exemplary results its products have produced in recent years through many international tests, but surely piling up homework isn't a feasible way for the students. The findings as well found that Finland and South Korean students spent much less time on homework than on their Singaporean counterparts, much less than the international average of 5 hours, and yet their students do very well in international tests as well. 

In fact, the PISA international test may not be full proof with many critics asserting that these tests were formulated to test a student's ability to take exams. This comment may be somewhat far fetched but it isn't all wrong either. Being able to do calculations, complete close passages or even know the life cycle of a chicken may not necessarily prepare one for what life has to offer. Singapore ranks as one of the top nations in the world in terms of its youth's ability to read, among others, but we have yet to see Singapore's version of Bill Gates, or Jack Ma or Sergey Brin or even many YouTube stars making it big emerging and taking the world by storm. Why?

Singapore's conformist education system imbibes in students the importance of being able to attain high grades in examinations and often than not, childhood is preoccupied with the things that schools want them to do eg. homework and not what they wished to do. Its not that Singapore's youth lack the capability that their American counterparts have, it isn't that they lack the dynamism necessary to create something that could potentially change the world. I believe Singapore has people like these, it is just that their passion for the things they like has simply taken a backseat when exams, test and homework and school comes into the picture, leaving them with no choice but to follow. 

We can refute this by asserting the strength of Singapore's current economy. For a small country to have such a strong economy, it is no doubt a remarkable feat. But maybe, if we could have one or two Bill Gates popping up in Singapore, Singapore could have been even more dynamic and attractive than it is today?

What do you think?