Our society has indeed come a long way, progressing in leaps and bounds, from a rural fishing village to an internationally acclaimed city. Just what lies behind this incredible success? Education. According to the Singapore Department of Statistics, the general literacy rate (for persons aged 15 years and over) has risen steadily from 68.9% in 1970 to 93.7% in 2002. Also, persons aged 15 years and over with Secondary or Higher Qualification jumped from 12.0% in 1970 to 53.4% in 2002. With all these in mind, it would be inappropriate to say that what we learn in schools have to be unlearned as it would imply that things taught in schools are wrong. However it is equally incorrect to say that everything that schools have taught is correct or useful in the society. This essay will mainly deal with the situation in Singapore. It will examine how the society and schools are actually very closely interlinked.

One thing...