What this lesson teaches
I can explain what meritocracy means and how Singapore rewards people for their ability and effort.
Syllabus K336, Issue 1, Guiding Question 3, Principles shaping governance. Practising meritocracy
Make a guess
Two students have the same ability. One has tuition and a quiet room to study; the other works part-time. Do you think exam results alone fairly show their ability?
- Not fully, because their chances to prepare were very unequal.
- No, so exams should be scrapped and places shared at random.
- Yes, because results show how hard each student worked.
Show the answer
Not fully, because their chances to prepare were very unequal.
Meritocracy rewards ability and effort, but starting points differ. Support such as bursaries helps more students show their talent.
Meritocracy rewards people for their ability and effort, not their family or connections, while helping those with fewer opportunities.
Meritocracy means people move ahead based on ability and effort, not family background or connections. Fair selection uses clear criteria, stated openly, so everyone knows what is assessed.
But people do not all start with the same advantages. Some have tuition, equipment or more time to study, so they have had more chance to build and show their abilities. So meritocracy also means giving support, such as bursaries and financial help for school, so more people can develop their talents.
Merit is not only exam grades. It can include skills, character and contributions to others.
Avoid saying that every result shows exactly how hard someone worked. When you explain a selection, cover both what it is based on and any barriers that affect who gets a fair chance to compete.
Sort these
Sort these real Singapore policies by the governance principle each shows best.
Groups: Good leadership, Anticipating change and staying relevant, A stake for everyone, opportunities for all, Meritocracy.
- In 2020 Singapore set up a Coastal and Flood Protection Fund, starting with $5 billion, to guard against sea levels rising by up to 1 metre by 2100.
- Singapore built NEWater and desalination plants long before its Johor water agreement ends in 2061.
- Lee Hsien Loong handed over to Lawrence Wong as Prime Minister in May 2024, as planned.
- Most residents live in HDB flats, and most of them own their flats.
- The Edusave Merit Bursary goes to students in the top quarter of their level, from lower-income and middle-income families.
- The CPIB investigated a sitting minister, who was later jailed in October 2024.
- Forward Singapore, launched in 2022, asked citizens for their views on the country's future.
- Direct School Admission lets students enter a secondary school through talents such as sports, arts or leadership.
Show the answer
Good leadership
- Lee Hsien Loong handed over to Lawrence Wong as Prime Minister in May 2024, as planned. Preparing the next team and handing over smoothly is leadership renewal, part of good leadership.
- The CPIB investigated a sitting minister, who was later jailed in October 2024. Acting against a top leader shows integrity and accountability: leaders follow the same rules as everyone.
Anticipating change and staying relevant
- In 2020 Singapore set up a Coastal and Flood Protection Fund, starting with $5 billion, to guard against sea levels rising by up to 1 metre by 2100. It prepares for a threat that is decades away, so the coast is protected before the sea rises. That is anticipating change.
- Singapore built NEWater and desalination plants long before its Johor water agreement ends in 2061. Preparing new water sources decades early is anticipating change. Waiting could leave Singapore short of water.
A stake for everyone, opportunities for all
- Most residents live in HDB flats, and most of them own their flats. Owning a home gives people a share in the country's future, so they have a stake in it.
- Forward Singapore, launched in 2022, asked citizens for their views on the country's future. Consultation lets people shape decisions that affect their lives, which gives them a stake in the result.
Meritocracy
- The Edusave Merit Bursary goes to students in the top quarter of their level, from lower-income and middle-income families. It rewards ability and effort while helping families with less money, which is meritocracy with support.
- Direct School Admission lets students enter a secondary school through talents such as sports, arts or leadership. It selects students on a wider range of abilities than exam grades, because merit is more than grades.
- Meritocracy
- Rewarding ability and effort, not background or connections.
- Fair selection
- Clear, open criteria.
- Support
- Bursaries and financial help widen opportunity.
Real examples to use
Edusave and bursaries
Since 1993, the government has paid money into every Singaporean student's Edusave account for enrichment. Bursaries help lower-income students with school costs.
Worked example: A fair design programme
A youth design programme selects students through a practical task. Before the task, it lends equipment and runs free workshops.
- Selection is based on the skills needed: merit.
- Free workshops and equipment help students without resources at home.
- So more students have a fair chance to show their ability. The support does not make everyone's starting point equal or guarantee a place.
Watch out for this
Meritocracy means everyone already starts with the same chances.
Starting points differ. Meritocracy works better when those with fewer advantages get support.
Check your understanding
Why do bursaries fit the idea of meritocracy?
- They make exam grades the main way of measuring a student's merit.
- They reward students whose parents have done well in their own careers.
- They help students with less money to develop and show their abilities.
Show the answer
They help students with less money to develop and show their abilities.
Right. They widen opportunity so ability, not money, decides success.