The Truth about Social Mobility in Singapore

Minister Ng Eng Hen's speech, published in the frontpage and other pages of ST yesterday, cited a full colour 1/3-page example of a boy from low-income family who made it to RJC and eventually bagged a Teaching scholarship, as proof of social mobility in Singapore.

Minister Ng claimed that the current school system is the best way to 'move up', i.e. social mobility.

It's always useful to listen to more than 1 side of the story.
Today, check out what sociologists and social work researchers have to say about Minister Ng's claim, and be horrified by the presentation of obvious half-truths.

By citing even just 1 example such as the RJC boy from low-income RJC boy, everyone has to agree that the current system provides for social mobility. This 1 example means it is POSSIBLE for social mobility. 有希望！

However, the real question is how mobile really is this social mobility for EVERYONE?

The researchers provided the answers very politely and plainly (I love how academics word their stands).

NMP and NUS Sociologist Pauline Straughan

• In every cohort, you will find somebody from an underprivileged background who has made it
• A reality in all developed countries: Mobility declines with development

NUS Sociologist Tan Ern Ser

• "Rags to riches indicate possibility, but possibility is not the same as probability."
• Those from wealthier homes would have higher probability of moving up.
• "I know we live in a meritocracy, but nobody says guanxi doesn't matter in a meritocracy."

NUS Social Work AP Irene Ng

• Study showed that Singaporeans, whose parents were at the bottom, tend to remain at the bottom, while those whose parents were at the top, tend to stay there.

The (in)famous NUS Sociologist Chua Beng Huat, who was fired by HDB from his position as Director of Research in 1984 for being overly critical of the government

• Advice to those who do not make it to university, but want to move up the ladder: 

"If you go to polytechnic, and are smart enough, you can become entrepreneur, do well, start your little business repairing ceiling fans, aircons... these services are not cheap... Buy yourself a van, drive around the country, make a decent living. Your children will have a better opportunity."

............................................................................

Case in point:

• Some time ago, there was report on the social class of the government scholarship recipients. Majority of scholarship recipients do NOT stay in HDB flats, while majority of Singaporeans stay in HDB flats. 
• How many PAP MPs have ever stayed in HDB flats, were from low-income family background?

Let's not kid ourselves. The social mobility for non-wealthy families is declining, and will continue to worsen.

To further worsen the situation, foreigners, even fresh grads, are being imported to take up jobs in Singapore. As such, even if your kid makes it to university or polytechnic or ITE, his job may be taken away by foreign talents via their 'job enclave' mentality, and/or employers' use cheap foreign labour mentality.

Remember: Meritocracy is merely a concept, not an absolute reality in Singapore.