IN SINGAPORE, the fastest way to a better life financially is through academic excellence.

An employee's many years of working experience often mean little to employers who are focused on workers' qualifications.

In the private as well as the public sectors, employers tend to favour well-qualified employees, thus giving them a head start over those who have no university education.

In contrast, it is not surprising to find college and university dropouts in advanced countries such as the United States who have mastered life skills in various fields and amassed huge fortunes.

Our society should be more flexible and give the same opportunities to these street-smart people.

It is also high time that our schools start teaching students life skills to better prepare them for our fast-changing world.

Our kids need to learn survival skills to help them succeed in a highly competitive environment.

Otherwise, they may not survive in a harsh marketplace in the near future.

Mr Nelson Quah

For more my paper stories click here.