I READ Mr Ng Li Wei's letter last Friday, 'Varsity place not an entitlement'. I could not disagree more. Yes, Singapore has a meritocratic education system. But that does not mean we cannot cater to all who qualify for university entry in a cohort. In fact, it is irresponsible not to do so.

We are educating people who will in turn contribute to national growth. So, we should encourage and not dissuade.

Education is a right, not a privilege to only the smartest. The reason parents are voicing their unhappiness over the unforgiving selectiveness of the current system is that they care about education and its importance.

I was an average student and was rejected by all the local universities. My parents paid a hefty sum to send me to Britain and I returned with an honours degree. Then, I gained admission to Nanyang Technological University to pursue my master's degree.

Does that mean I don't work hard enough, as Mr Ng suggests, or I am not as smart as the rest? I come from a low-income family. I managed to obtain a foreign degree because of careful financial planning by my parents since I was a child.

There are many students who, like me, are late bloomers.

Interest plays an important role in a successful educational journey. By saying one should just take up any available course and get a degree is irresponsible as everyone has a right to decide his interest. Isn't it a contradiction to say one has to work hard, yet settle for any course one is given?

I am not complaining about the fact that Singapore did not give me a chance to pursue an undergraduate degree locally.

The question is, if local universities do not provide a chance for Singaporeans who qualify to study at home, how will we retain our talent when other prestigious foreign universities are ever obliging in admitting Singapore students?

Chen Zhaoguang

This article was first published in The Straits Times on Sept 4, 2008.