Out-dated Thoughts

Was talking with some colleagues yesterday during lunch. Usual topics hover around work, or if married people are around they will talk about kids' education etc... you know the usual things parents are worried about. I cannot recall what led to my administrator talking about her 2 daughters. Basically one is naturally smart, but lazy so her school results are not that fantastic. The other daughter is not that smart, but is hardworking therefore her results are always better than her sister's.

This other pharmacist (single) started querying another colleague about her daughter, asking if she is doing well in school, whether she is smart etc. The way she talked about those who went to polytechnic is as if there is no hope for them. She almost wanted to say "that's the end" but caught herself just in time. Whatever it is, it showed that she has an elitist attitude. I admit that I do occasionally show some elitist attitude, but I never talk about other people's children's as if I know what is best for them. Imagine how the parents feel knowing there are people in society like my colleague who look down on those who are not so book smart.

Heck! What I really cannot understand is why she talked the way she did given the fact that she's already in her mid 30's, still not attached, and most definitely childless. Childless! She does not even know what it means to be a parent, and she sat there talking as if my other colleagues should make sure their children get a university education. This is just fueling the national obsession on getting good grades in school/national exams.

I am a sucker for the idea that education is not only intended to pass on knowledge, but more importantly its ultimate purpose is to make one a thinking person; not somebody who blindly follow the masses. However, my colleague has proven that one can have all the education and still be unthinking and myopic. That being the case, can somebody pls tell me why exactly are we still providing mass education when people continue to think in a manner as if they are not educated?