AQ on the idea of "trust but verify"

Academic dishonesty exists everywhere, even in Singapore.

The whole idea of trust but verify revolves around the concept of 'better be safe than sorry'. In Singapore, we have always upheld the beliefs of meritocracy, where one is rewarded based solely on his achievements and standard. Although we should trust our students, in order to be fair to every student in Singapore, our education system also make use of plagiarism-detection software and any other forms of anti-cheat programs. By using such systems, we are not distrusting the students, but merely creating a fairer playing ground for all. For example, every project submitted for grading in Project Work will have to be verified through Turnitin. This procedure is a mark of respect to both the students and the assessors. We believe that every student in Singapore wants to display his or her best piece of written work without having to resort to cheating. The idea brought by Joey Smith gives the students an opportunity to garner respect from their peers.

The usage of honour codes is also widely accepted in Singapore, to instill a sense of integrity in the student. This idea is ultimately based on the integrity of the students. The honor code, such as the Rafflesian Code of Honor, can only act as a moral guideline to students who are willing to take it seriously. In fact, most of the time, the idea of “trust but verify” is similar to teachers invigilating the students during an examination. The teachers may trust the students, but there will always be a few black sheep taking advantage of the system. A hundred percent trust can only be developed when there are no assessments required. Hence, while the idea brought up by Joey Smith is a feasible solution, it will not eradicate school cheats totally.

In conclusion, although the idea of ‘trust but verify’ may be criticised for its possible ineffectiveness as a system of 'talk only but no action', it is an effective way to get students to reflect about the purpose of education.

Weiliang, Jiwei, Yong Sheng, Chen Xuan

6J