Education and Liberalisation

Spoke to a friend about the merits of a liberal education tonight. Cannot recall how we got into the discussion as I remember we spoke at length about the Malaysian judicial system and the sudden shock some 1o yrs ago.

Anyway, I lamented on how the Spore education system had been too rigid in my time. I could not pursue a combination of Arts and Pure Science subjects. Why? I was forced to take all 3 sciences despite my absolute non interest in physics. Just because I wanted to take Biology. And was disallowed to take Geography because it belonged to the Arts faculty.

Fast forward 15 years, the ministry is encouraging the young to expand their horizons and take subjects that are not necessarily from their own faculty of specialisation.

Were we too advanced for the system that had cogs too heavy and huge to move with the times?

Too late, I found the liberalisation out of Singapore, and am thankful that I am well adjusted. I managed to pursue subjects like Philosophy and Biology as electives to my degree. It was interesting and no one batted any eyelid to the electives. In fact it was common to study electives that are completely out of faculty. As long as you fulfil the min core subjects, jump right in to take any subject you fancy, subject to timetable schedules.

So why am I discussing this here and now? I dont know, but just thought I'd like to chronicle that conversation and link it to that period of my life. Yummy.