[arjo129]

It has more to do with economic need than culture. As you see Asia has grown on a manufacturing based economy, whether it is Singapore or China. Despite being such a small country it is surprising to see what all we produce in singapore. In a manufacturing economy you used to need Human capital that is just hardworking, thus quantity over quality. However now that things are becoming expensive and automation has taken over reform is necessary. The job market is shifting toward private enterpreuneurship where people have to be creative to solve problems. One needs to start placing more emphasis on designing/researching/innovating than manufacturing. That is why the education reforms are necessary as in these fields it is quality over quantity.

Do take note though that in both Singapore's and India's case the system of examinations has been based on the British colonial system NOT something that was imbibed into asian culture.

Although the Chinese had civil service exams since ancient times, by the early 1900s there were more ways to make it as a rich businessman rather than study for the civil service examinations.