Options
Never the twain shall meet? Considering an inclusive meritocracy in Singapore
Citation
Jang, H., & Wong, M. E. (2025). Never the twain shall meet? Considering an inclusive meritocracy in Singapore. Asia Pacific Journal of Education, 45(1), 314-332. https://doi.org/10.1080/02188791.2024.2416501
Abstract
The concept of meritocracy stands as a fundamental ethos within the governance and educational paradigms in Singapore. This principle, notwithstanding its intrinsic paradoxes – most notably, the juxtaposition of egalitarian ideals against elitist practices – remains steadfastly upheld, with no indications of waning in the foreseeable future. A pertinent issue arising from this meritocratic orientation is the integration of students with special educational needs (SEN) into a system deeply ingrained with meritocratic values, especially considering the obstacles they face regarding accessibility, resource allocation, and prevailing societal attitudes towards disability. This study does not propose dismantling meritocratic frameworks; instead, it proposes the adoption of an inclusive meritocratic model. By exploring how meritocracy and inclusive education have manifested in Singapore, this paper delves into three critical barriers – namely, academic tracking, elitism, and the influence of parentocracy – that concurrently undermine the principles of meritocracy and the ethos of inclusive education. Utilizing Bronfenbrenner’s ecological systems theory as a methodological lens, this paper elucidates the complex interplay among these barriers and their compounded effects across different systemic levels. With a nuanced understanding of the challenges, the paper offers several recommendations for cultivating an inclusive meritocratic system.
Date Issued
2025
Publisher
Taylor & Francis
Journal
Asia Pacific Journal of Education