Joseph Schooling and some thoughts

Everyone in Singapore is rejoiced over the winning of the first ever olympic gold medal by Joseph Schooling. As I read through his growing up story and how his parents went all out to groom their only son to pursue his passion and interest, this triggers some thoughts in me as a parent.

Some thoughts which I have in my mind are: 

1) If Joseph's parents choose to stay in Singapore for their son to go through the Singapore education system instead of going to the US, will Joseph be able to win the gold medal today? 

2) What had Singapore government done all these years to groom our local talents?

3) What do the US system have which S'pore lacks to be able to nurture talents consistently? 

Today, Joseph's gold medal and glory belongs to Joseph's parents and not the S'pore government. It is because his parents saw the sparks in their son since young age and believe in their son's talents and potential to do more. 

The sad thing is our S'pore government was not involved in this process to groom Joseph. All these while, they only focus on bringing foreign talents into the ping pong game and paid millions to reward them. After winning that one and only silver award, that silver medalist immediately go back to her home country to raise her family over there instead of settling down in S'pore.

It is this 'short cut' mentality which the government believes in bringing foreign talents to 'fix things' and neglected grooming our local talents that is now limiting S'pore progress and development. 

The existing S'pore educational system is too focus on raising people to be employee to fit certain jobs instead of developing people based on their unique strengths. 

In addition, the conformity mindset of majority parents' perception of what constitute a good career for their children plays a part in shaping their children too. 

In this system and culture, it is difficult for a child who is gifted to unleash his/her potential. The reason why Joseph is successful is due to the parents willingness to pursue a less travelled path for their child to develop his strength and passion. It is this willingness which propel them to seek the best conducive environment which can develop their child's gift. Sadly, it is a fact that S'pore does not have this system and environment. If Joseph's parents choose to stay in S'pore, Joseph will most likely conform to the system and be mediocre. 

On this thought, as a parent, it somehow hit upon me that the S'pore system and environment are inadequate to nurture talented children. Imagine Einstein would become a mediocre student if he was born here. His talents would never be discovered and contributed to the world. 

This prompted me of the need to seriously consider the options I have to raise up my child which will uncover the gem in her.