American university admissions scandal should make Hong Kong parents rethink our unhealthy obsession with education
- Stressed out parents and students should not overlook the virtues of a less academic path to success
Most parents want a better life for their children, and a good education at the best schools is often seen as the way to secure it. Some are willing to shell out vast sums of money to make sure their offspring go to the world’s top educational institutions.
The phenomenon has been in the spotlight recently after almost 50 people, including Hollywood actresses, were charged over an alleged US$25 million scam to help wealthy Americans get their children into elite universities.
Education systems the world over unashamedly favour the rich. The wealthiest can increase their chances of admission by making huge donations to help build school facilities. Such generosity is common practice and generally seen as an endowment rather than bribery.
It all comes down to how much you can afford or are willing to spend, either through legitimate or illegitimate channels – a fact Hong Kong parents are all too familiar with.
A survey in 2017 by HSBC found Hongkongers were the world’s biggest spenders on education, paying an average of nearly HK$1 million (US$127,400) per child between the primary and undergraduate levels. The study covered 8,481 parents in 15 cities and countries and took into account tuition fees, books, transport, accommodation and related activities. The figure was almost three times the global average of HK$350,000, surpassing the oil-rich United Arab Emirates, which was second at HK$780,000.
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But is top-quality schooling the only route to success, and does future happiness necessitate enduring immense pressure during childhood in an increasingly competitive education system?
Hong Kong’s stressed out parents and students should not overlook the virtues of a less academic path. A prestigious university is not the be-all and end-all for young people.
In the digital era we are seeing a lot of successful people achieve big and reach their life goals without a degree. Among the American-born chief executives of the top 100 companies on the Fortune 500, only about 30 went to a US Ivy League university or equally selective institution.
Non-academic paths offer alternative routes to becoming a top scorer in life. On-the-job experience is invaluable, as is a good mentor.
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However, unfortunately there is an unhealthy desire among parents for a successful child they can boast about. They want to feel superior by having a trophy child. Their attitude is often driven by ego – they might have been top students as children and want their offspring to follow in their footsteps. Other parents may have unfulfilled dreams and push their children to realise them.
But in today’s world with the advance of modern technology, artificial intelligence (AI) is gradually replacing much of the routine work done by humans, so it is becoming far more important for young people to gain unique life experiences. Parents therefore need to shift their mindset towards a greater emphasis on building their children’s soft skills, personality, and zest for life. Laying down rules and setting limits will only do the opposite, killing their creativity, enthusiasm and motivation.
Employers are slowly seeing the light. More are focusing on the life experience of job applicants rather than simply where they went to school. At the end of the day, a degree does not make a person who they are or who they will become.
With AI taking more of our jobs, children will be better off not becoming another cookie-cutter worker churned out by a university. A strong personality, independent streak, passion for life and helping hand in developing their talents will see them do just fine.
Luisa Tam is a senior editor at the Post
