The casino being built in Singapore is supposed to be a money-maker and job creator. However, I feel that it will turn out to be the other way round, people will lose money and also lose their jobs. Why? Gambling Addiction.
Let us first look at why the government wants to build the casino. The 2 mains reasons are to boost Singapore’s image as a tourism hub and to boost the economy. Of course, the casino will generate more jobs at the casino. These are all good reasons but I feel that the banes have been ignored.
The government knows that even though most of the people at the casino will be “ang-moh” tourists who came here to spend big but there will still be a small group of locals who will come and try to strike it big. Like what “Defining Addiction And Its Many Forms” says, addiction is a quiet master which is very true. Many people start gambling and do not know they have gone overboard until a long time later and also do not want to admit it.
The casino will attract quite a fair bit Singaporeans. Although most will limit themselves, there will be a minority that becomes addicted. It will cause some of these people to lose there jobs, money, spouses and later there lives.
In conclusion, I feel that the casino should not have been constructed as I see it more of a bane than a boon.
Showing posts with label My Opinion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label My Opinion. Show all posts
Thursday, July 2, 2009
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Swine Flu (Changing the Signal)
Recently, there has been a big "hoo hah" about the swine flu (or H1N1 virus)in Singapore. The Singapore government has taken many precautionary measures---having students take their temperature in school, installing thermal scanners at different locations and so on after going on orange alert last week.
However, within a week of that, today they (the government) have moved from the orange alert to a yellow alert (which is lower). This, according to the health minister, is because the number of cases and deaths in the world is not as high as it was projected.
To me, this is a good move as I myself, as a student, do not enjoy taking temperature twice a day as it is very inconvenient. However, I feel that this may have been an over reaction by the government.
Firstly, why do students need to take their temperatures? It has been proven those who do have the virus will not show any symptoms until seven days later. Once that person has a high temperature and is discovered to have swine flu, it is already too late because this disease is very contagious. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, diarrhoea and vomiting. In my opinion, these symptoms are easy enough to detect without having to take your temperature.
Secondly, the government rushed into an orange alert at the end of last week. Why? It seems to be an over reaction to the outbreak of this disease. The health minister said that during an epidemic, it is necessary to over react as a precautionary measure. Thermal Scanners at airports, yes. Quarantine people returning from countries with the virus, yes. Taking temperature, not necessary. If the virus has not yet entered enter the country, I do not think that we have to resort to such measures.
Maybe, I an just being bias for I do not like temperature-taking. Maybe I am correct. You can make your stand.
However, within a week of that, today they (the government) have moved from the orange alert to a yellow alert (which is lower). This, according to the health minister, is because the number of cases and deaths in the world is not as high as it was projected.
To me, this is a good move as I myself, as a student, do not enjoy taking temperature twice a day as it is very inconvenient. However, I feel that this may have been an over reaction by the government.
Firstly, why do students need to take their temperatures? It has been proven those who do have the virus will not show any symptoms until seven days later. Once that person has a high temperature and is discovered to have swine flu, it is already too late because this disease is very contagious. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, body aches, headache, chills, diarrhoea and vomiting. In my opinion, these symptoms are easy enough to detect without having to take your temperature.
Secondly, the government rushed into an orange alert at the end of last week. Why? It seems to be an over reaction to the outbreak of this disease. The health minister said that during an epidemic, it is necessary to over react as a precautionary measure. Thermal Scanners at airports, yes. Quarantine people returning from countries with the virus, yes. Taking temperature, not necessary. If the virus has not yet entered enter the country, I do not think that we have to resort to such measures.
Maybe, I an just being bias for I do not like temperature-taking. Maybe I am correct. You can make your stand.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Something I do not Understand
Hello everyone, it has been a long time since I have written a "non-blog prompt" post. Recently, in school , there is this silly game the boys in my class play right before the bell to signal the end of recess. It is so called the last touch game.
Let me give you a bit of background about this situation. every recess without fail, my classmates will rush to either the street soccer court or the basketball court to play soccer. I don't know when it started but when everyone has finished playing, they will not want to do carry the ball back to class. By the way, the ball belongs to the class. Anyway, the person who last touch the ball will carry it back to the classroom.
However, there is a twist in this. You are allowed to throw the ball at someone else and they will be the last one who touched it. It of course becomes very complicated and people will be angry with others for “sarboing"(sabotaging) them. Sometimes, my friends refuse to pick up the ball as they think that they are not the ones who last touch the ball and nobody picks it up as they do not want to be seen as a pushover.
I feel that this is a silly practice. The soccer ball belongs to the class. Why can't we just willingly carry back the ball to the classroom for the "welfare" of the class? In my old primary school, my friends all wanted to be the one to carry the ball as they all feel very honoured. Although, this may seem silly too, we should at least be able to give our own classmates a helping hand.
Fortunately, most of the time, there are a few good hearted people who will help us carry the ball back to class but there are not always there and the result is not always good.
In the last month, we have lost 2 soccer balls just because of this silly practice. In the first incident, someone threw the ball at this other person and it bounced off him into some bushes and the ball could not be found. I think the first person is at fault here because if he did not throw the ball in the first place, none of this would happen. The second incident happened when somebody last touched the ball and threw it to someone else who did not bother picking it up. 
The ball was just left there. Later, when some other classmates heard about it. They rushed down but by then it was gone.
The ball was just left there. Later, when some other classmates heard about it. They rushed down but by then it was gone.I appeal to you. Please stop this silly practice. It is costing you (and me).
Who last touched?
Friday, April 10, 2009
What is Utopia?
So, what is utopia? To me, utopia is man's desire for an ideal or perfect society. Utopia is also used to express an unrealistic idea that is impossible to achieve.
This is probably somewhat like what a communist society is. On first sight, the idea of a society wheere there is a equal distribution of goods among everyone in the society. Also, this inclubes the total abolition of money, with citizens only doing work which they enjoy and which is for the common good, leaving them with ample time for the cultivation of the arts and sciences.
However, man has always been greedy and wants to take advantage of others. In this utopian society, everyone will not or do minimal work and there will be constant argument about the distribution. Therefore, in the end the Soviet Union not working out well.
This is what happens in Animal Farm
This is probably somewhat like what a communist society is. On first sight, the idea of a society wheere there is a equal distribution of goods among everyone in the society. Also, this inclubes the total abolition of money, with citizens only doing work which they enjoy and which is for the common good, leaving them with ample time for the cultivation of the arts and sciences.
However, man has always been greedy and wants to take advantage of others. In this utopian society, everyone will not or do minimal work and there will be constant argument about the distribution. Therefore, in the end the Soviet Union not working out well.
This is what happens in Animal Farm
Sunday, March 29, 2009
Great Leaders
Many people have different perspectives on what a great leader is. To some, 
there is little difference between a good leader and a great leader. However, in my opinion, I feel there s a big gap between a good leader and a great leader.
You can see on this website http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879377,00.html who different historians or philosophers think are the greatest leaders in history. The person I agree with most is Jean-Francois Revel, a French author who commented,"A great leader has original ideas and succeeds in having them accepted by millions or billions. These ideas can be wonderful or dreadful."
Therefore, I think one of the greatest leaders in history is Adolf Hitler. In the beginning of his life, he was a nobody who fell into poverty in Austria. He encounted many obstacles yet he is the same man who led a country to conquer almost the whole of Europe! Why is that so?
The main reason for his rise to power was the ability to "brainwash" everyone into doing what he says. In the 1933 German elections, his party managed to win the elections and its popularity rised 37% in 1 term. Despite Hiter's ideas being relatively unpopular, he managed to convince everyone to vote for him.
Eventually, he also convinced the Germans to get revenge for their defeat in World War 1 and that the Jews and communists were to blame for the defeat. One cannot understand why the Germans bought into his idea but they did due to Hitler's charisma.
The Germans built up their army and World War 2 started and eventually Germany were defeated 6 years later.
However, one cannot argue that Adolf Hitler was a great leader.
there is little difference between a good leader and a great leader. However, in my opinion, I feel there s a big gap between a good leader and a great leader.You can see on this website http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,879377,00.html who different historians or philosophers think are the greatest leaders in history. The person I agree with most is Jean-Francois Revel, a French author who commented,"A great leader has original ideas and succeeds in having them accepted by millions or billions. These ideas can be wonderful or dreadful."
Therefore, I think one of the greatest leaders in history is Adolf Hitler. In the beginning of his life, he was a nobody who fell into poverty in Austria. He encounted many obstacles yet he is the same man who led a country to conquer almost the whole of Europe! Why is that so?
The main reason for his rise to power was the ability to "brainwash" everyone into doing what he says. In the 1933 German elections, his party managed to win the elections and its popularity rised 37% in 1 term. Despite Hiter's ideas being relatively unpopular, he managed to convince everyone to vote for him.
Eventually, he also convinced the Germans to get revenge for their defeat in World War 1 and that the Jews and communists were to blame for the defeat. One cannot understand why the Germans bought into his idea but they did due to Hitler's charisma.
The Germans built up their army and World War 2 started and eventually Germany were defeated 6 years later.
However, one cannot argue that Adolf Hitler was a great leader.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Deaths at NTU
The 2 recent deaths at NTU (Nanyang Technological University) have come as a surprise to many including myself. Let me elaborate on my viewpoint.
In the first case scenario, a final year student, David Hartanto Widjaja, 21, from the electrical and electronic engineering school of NTU is believed to have stabbed Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk, 45. This happened on 2 March.
(Read the whole story at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna/cgi-bin/search/search_7days.pl?status=&search=NTU&id=412478)
It has been stated that the reason why the student tried to stab the professor is beause the professor did not give him the grade he wanted. As a result of the bad grade he received, his ASEAN scholarship was revoked. Obviously, feeling guilty and knowing the consequences of his actions, he plunged to his death.
This incident reveals a few things. Firstly, everyone knows that bad grades are not the end of the world. Why did the Indonesian undergraduate have to take the life of the professor (although he did not in the end) and himself? However, in our morden world, to students, grades are the most important thing in the world. It is not their fault. People judge you according to the grades you get. Your future is more or less determined by the grades you achieve. Unless a person possess superb talent, the world rarely looks beyond your academic grades even if you have other un-nurtured talents in other areas.
I feel that people should start looking at other qualities or talent a person has other than academic grades. It is not possible to change the mindset of the entire world overnight but it can be done. One such example of the above would be the DSA (Direct School Admission) exercise introduced by the Ministry of Education allowing secondary schools to accept students on other criteria other than PSLE results. Unfortunately, schools also use it to attract smart (in an academic sense) students to their schools which I feel defeats the purpose. Still, this is a good start.
Back to the issue on the student stabbing the professor, I would like to pose another question. Are students these days educated enough on the importance of life? These many children enjoy playing computer games, many of which involves life and death. In these games, children kill their friends' virtual character as well as their enemies. Although majority of the children do not practise this violence in their real life, a small minority become violent and treat life and death as no big deal. Although this may not be directly related to this young man's death, I feel that it is an issue that needs to be brought up.
The second death was that of a 24 year old, Zhou Zheng, an infocomm project officer of NTU, who hanged himself on the balcony of his apartment at NTU.
(Read the whole story at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/413708/1/.html)
This once again brings up the issue on the importance of life and death. The man, who was a China National, had been jobless for a few months before being employed by NTU 5 days before his death.
In both scenarios, the 'victims' were both in their early 20s. Although they are both not Singaporeans, it does show some signs about the youth these days and what happens when they enter the real world.
Hopefully, other youths will not follow in their footsteps and we will never have these incidents happening again.
In the first case scenario, a final year student, David Hartanto Widjaja, 21, from the electrical and electronic engineering school of NTU is believed to have stabbed Associate Professor Chan Kap Luk, 45. This happened on 2 March.
(Read the whole story at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/cna/cgi-bin/search/search_7days.pl?status=&search=NTU&id=412478)
It has been stated that the reason why the student tried to stab the professor is beause the professor did not give him the grade he wanted. As a result of the bad grade he received, his ASEAN scholarship was revoked. Obviously, feeling guilty and knowing the consequences of his actions, he plunged to his death.
This incident reveals a few things. Firstly, everyone knows that bad grades are not the end of the world. Why did the Indonesian undergraduate have to take the life of the professor (although he did not in the end) and himself? However, in our morden world, to students, grades are the most important thing in the world. It is not their fault. People judge you according to the grades you get. Your future is more or less determined by the grades you achieve. Unless a person possess superb talent, the world rarely looks beyond your academic grades even if you have other un-nurtured talents in other areas.
I feel that people should start looking at other qualities or talent a person has other than academic grades. It is not possible to change the mindset of the entire world overnight but it can be done. One such example of the above would be the DSA (Direct School Admission) exercise introduced by the Ministry of Education allowing secondary schools to accept students on other criteria other than PSLE results. Unfortunately, schools also use it to attract smart (in an academic sense) students to their schools which I feel defeats the purpose. Still, this is a good start.
Back to the issue on the student stabbing the professor, I would like to pose another question. Are students these days educated enough on the importance of life? These many children enjoy playing computer games, many of which involves life and death. In these games, children kill their friends' virtual character as well as their enemies. Although majority of the children do not practise this violence in their real life, a small minority become violent and treat life and death as no big deal. Although this may not be directly related to this young man's death, I feel that it is an issue that needs to be brought up.
The second death was that of a 24 year old, Zhou Zheng, an infocomm project officer of NTU, who hanged himself on the balcony of his apartment at NTU.
(Read the whole story at http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/413708/1/.html)
This once again brings up the issue on the importance of life and death. The man, who was a China National, had been jobless for a few months before being employed by NTU 5 days before his death.
In both scenarios, the 'victims' were both in their early 20s. Although they are both not Singaporeans, it does show some signs about the youth these days and what happens when they enter the real world.
Hopefully, other youths will not follow in their footsteps and we will never have these incidents happening again.
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Too Much......
Lately, well at least for me, I have received a trainload of information which I am unable to digest. Let me elaborate.
Firstly, during assembly, we were given a briefing about LEAPS (a point system for CCA) in my school. There are quite a number of doubts I have (and I am quite sure you have too). It was said that you get merely 1 point for just participating( or 'existing') in your CCA, not counting leadership positions. My question is if you do not get a chance to represent the school because you are not as fit (for sports) or not as musically inclined (for performing arts)or in a CCA like Library Club (where there are probably no competitions to take part in), how are you going to earn any points? Especially at Sec 4, there is a grading system for CCA. One point is an E8 or F9, what can you do?
If I am not mistaken, you also get points for being in leadership positions like council or CCA or CIP group. Unfortunately, the fact is that not everybody will have an opportunity to be a leader in these positions.
Unless there are other ways and means (which I am not aware about/ or I was not paying attention to) to earn these points, I am not sure how some people "make the grade".(Feel free to comment if you know anything about this issue.)
Apart from that issue, there is also another form of "information" I am talking about---homework!
Over the past weeks, the amount of homework has grown enormous. I wonder how the seniors cope? Anyway, these days I am only meeting datelines each day. In addition to ACE projects which we are suppose to find time out of "nowhere". Just like the of the topics at today's ANGLES finale---Time Waits for No Man. This statement is especially true to what is happening to me now. There is no time to do anything else.
Ok, we all know a lot( or too much) about the homework problem so I will not talk into it. Till next time, Goodbye.
Firstly, during assembly, we were given a briefing about LEAPS (a point system for CCA) in my school. There are quite a number of doubts I have (and I am quite sure you have too). It was said that you get merely 1 point for just participating( or 'existing') in your CCA, not counting leadership positions. My question is if you do not get a chance to represent the school because you are not as fit (for sports) or not as musically inclined (for performing arts)or in a CCA like Library Club (where there are probably no competitions to take part in), how are you going to earn any points? Especially at Sec 4, there is a grading system for CCA. One point is an E8 or F9, what can you do?
If I am not mistaken, you also get points for being in leadership positions like council or CCA or CIP group. Unfortunately, the fact is that not everybody will have an opportunity to be a leader in these positions.
Unless there are other ways and means (which I am not aware about/ or I was not paying attention to) to earn these points, I am not sure how some people "make the grade".(Feel free to comment if you know anything about this issue.)
Apart from that issue, there is also another form of "information" I am talking about---homework!
Over the past weeks, the amount of homework has grown enormous. I wonder how the seniors cope? Anyway, these days I am only meeting datelines each day. In addition to ACE projects which we are suppose to find time out of "nowhere". Just like the of the topics at today's ANGLES finale---Time Waits for No Man. This statement is especially true to what is happening to me now. There is no time to do anything else.
Ok, we all know a lot( or too much) about the homework problem so I will not talk into it. Till next time, Goodbye.
Friday, February 13, 2009
SMB
In my school, the teachers use SMB (Summary Message Board) to send announcements, infomation, quizes and so on.... I feel it is a really good way for communicating espicially during these days where IT (Infomation Technology) is being used more and more. I find that it is also quite effective, for example if a teacher forgets to tell the students that they need to bring something, he/she can conveiniently use the SMB for that purpose.
Despite all these advantages, I would like to highlight certain problems I encounted while navigating it.
Firstly, since day one, I realised that it is impossible to delete any of the messages posted to you. Only the sender of the message can delete the message he/she sent. Another reason for why this is a problem is that some teachers do not remove messages that they posted even though the infomation is long outdated causing the SMB to be clutered espicially when you are trying to find a message posted a few days ago.
I understand that the school may not want some lazy student to delete messages without reading what it is all about. In these cicumstances, I would suggest that the school develop a system where you can delete the "not so important" messages once you have read them while leaving the more important ones 'un-deleteable'.
A second problem is that sometimes the teacher gives certain instructions to a big group of students which is the exact opposite of what another teacher. Students have no way of clarifying which instructions to follow and may end up doing the wrong thing.
This is exactly what happened today. Today we were supposed to have canoeing CCA (now I am in canoeing CCA, which I did not mess up during the trials....(Refer to Post 2)ok, that is another story), but the other canoeing coach sent us a message on the SMB telling us that training is on Tuesday. Nobody had any idea what to do so we all just stayed back......for no reason as we found out later. The only solution I can think of is for teachers to be more specific when sending out these messages.
Apart from these minor loop holes, the SMB has served its purpose well and more schools should try using it.
Despite all these advantages, I would like to highlight certain problems I encounted while navigating it.
Firstly, since day one, I realised that it is impossible to delete any of the messages posted to you. Only the sender of the message can delete the message he/she sent. Another reason for why this is a problem is that some teachers do not remove messages that they posted even though the infomation is long outdated causing the SMB to be clutered espicially when you are trying to find a message posted a few days ago.
I understand that the school may not want some lazy student to delete messages without reading what it is all about. In these cicumstances, I would suggest that the school develop a system where you can delete the "not so important" messages once you have read them while leaving the more important ones 'un-deleteable'.
A second problem is that sometimes the teacher gives certain instructions to a big group of students which is the exact opposite of what another teacher. Students have no way of clarifying which instructions to follow and may end up doing the wrong thing.
This is exactly what happened today. Today we were supposed to have canoeing CCA (now I am in canoeing CCA, which I did not mess up during the trials....(Refer to Post 2)ok, that is another story), but the other canoeing coach sent us a message on the SMB telling us that training is on Tuesday. Nobody had any idea what to do so we all just stayed back......for no reason as we found out later. The only solution I can think of is for teachers to be more specific when sending out these messages.
Apart from these minor loop holes, the SMB has served its purpose well and more schools should try using it.
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Gifted Education
Hi! I am writing this post on gifted education for my english ACE project. Please refer below for my work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 February 2009
1000 Toa Payoh North,
Singapore 318994
The Editor
The Straits Times
Singapore Press Holdings
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
The gifted education programme was first implemented in 1984, designed for the top 1% of pupils in Singapore, identified in two rounds of tests at the end of Primary 3. The MOE (Ministry of Education) is committed to ensure that the potential of each pupil is recognized, nurtured and developed. It was recognized that there are pupils who are intellectually gifted and that there should be provisions to meet their needs.
While I understand the MOE’s initiative to hone the truly intellectually gifted, I would like to call for the current GEP programme to be reviewed. At first glance, it would appear to be a good move to challenge the truly intellectually gifted who may be bored or stifled by the regular syllabus. The GEP programme is built upon the regular syllabus where same topics on the regular school curriculum are covered in greater depth and breadth and where emphasis is on creativity and higher-order thinking skills. There are also mentorship attachments, camps and other out-of-class activities to help pupils reach their full potential.
However, a closer look raises pertinent questions regarding the advantanges of having such a programme. GEP students are told that they are the gifted elite, at a young impressionable age. However, being labelled a high-flyer at such a tender age may not be a good idea. Some develop a superiority complex feeling that the non-gifted belong to a lower class of the human race. A Primary Six GEP student wrote a letter to “Today” newspaper in 2005 openly declaring that non-GEP students were immature, and that she preferred to mix with people like herself.
Evidently, the system breeds elitism. If MOE has done away with the EM1, EM2 and EM3 system which also bred elitism and labelling, why has the gifted programme lingered? Granted that greater efforts are being made to integrate the gifted and non-gifted students in Community involvement Programmes and also partial integration in academic programmes where non-GEP and GEP students come together for some programmes (eg. Bicultural Programme in Tao Nan Primary School), nonetheless the segregation and differentiation remains. The question is why?
Also, what is the true definition of giftedness? To me, giftedness applies to many areas, not just in academics. It can be in the form of music, arts or sports. Unfortunately, in Singapore, we define giftedness purely by academic standards. Therefore, a number of parents send their children for enrichment classes to prepare for the GEP tests despite the fact that experts say that giftedness cannot be taught. Experts state that these centres, which peddle classes in the preparation of the GEP tests, are merely training kids to be 'exam smart'. Therefore, is MOE truly honing the top 1% of the cohort?
Questions also arise about the screening test conducted by the MOE for all Primary 3 students each year for entry into the GEP programme. This screening test comprises an English and Mathematics exam, followed by a General Ability paper which tests reasoning and problem-solving skills. Is giftedness confined to English, Mathematics and General Ability? Surely not.
As such, I would like to suggest a review of our education system. Children need to grow up in a holistic environment, exposed to music, art and other pursuits. Elitism should have no place in Singapore where we are to live together in peace and harmony regardless of race, language and religion, and may I add, regardless of academic ability as well.
Yours sincerely,
xxxxxx
Sources:
http://www.getformesingapore.com/previous2006/290906_primaryschoolstodoawaywithem3from2008_more.htm
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/gifted-education-programme/development-and-growth/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_Education_Programme_(Singapore)
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20071028-32642.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
8 February 2009
1000 Toa Payoh North,
Singapore 318994
The Editor
The Straits Times
Singapore Press Holdings
Dear Sir/ Mdm,
The gifted education programme was first implemented in 1984, designed for the top 1% of pupils in Singapore, identified in two rounds of tests at the end of Primary 3. The MOE (Ministry of Education) is committed to ensure that the potential of each pupil is recognized, nurtured and developed. It was recognized that there are pupils who are intellectually gifted and that there should be provisions to meet their needs.
While I understand the MOE’s initiative to hone the truly intellectually gifted, I would like to call for the current GEP programme to be reviewed. At first glance, it would appear to be a good move to challenge the truly intellectually gifted who may be bored or stifled by the regular syllabus. The GEP programme is built upon the regular syllabus where same topics on the regular school curriculum are covered in greater depth and breadth and where emphasis is on creativity and higher-order thinking skills. There are also mentorship attachments, camps and other out-of-class activities to help pupils reach their full potential.
However, a closer look raises pertinent questions regarding the advantanges of having such a programme. GEP students are told that they are the gifted elite, at a young impressionable age. However, being labelled a high-flyer at such a tender age may not be a good idea. Some develop a superiority complex feeling that the non-gifted belong to a lower class of the human race. A Primary Six GEP student wrote a letter to “Today” newspaper in 2005 openly declaring that non-GEP students were immature, and that she preferred to mix with people like herself.
Evidently, the system breeds elitism. If MOE has done away with the EM1, EM2 and EM3 system which also bred elitism and labelling, why has the gifted programme lingered? Granted that greater efforts are being made to integrate the gifted and non-gifted students in Community involvement Programmes and also partial integration in academic programmes where non-GEP and GEP students come together for some programmes (eg. Bicultural Programme in Tao Nan Primary School), nonetheless the segregation and differentiation remains. The question is why?
Also, what is the true definition of giftedness? To me, giftedness applies to many areas, not just in academics. It can be in the form of music, arts or sports. Unfortunately, in Singapore, we define giftedness purely by academic standards. Therefore, a number of parents send their children for enrichment classes to prepare for the GEP tests despite the fact that experts say that giftedness cannot be taught. Experts state that these centres, which peddle classes in the preparation of the GEP tests, are merely training kids to be 'exam smart'. Therefore, is MOE truly honing the top 1% of the cohort?
Questions also arise about the screening test conducted by the MOE for all Primary 3 students each year for entry into the GEP programme. This screening test comprises an English and Mathematics exam, followed by a General Ability paper which tests reasoning and problem-solving skills. Is giftedness confined to English, Mathematics and General Ability? Surely not.
As such, I would like to suggest a review of our education system. Children need to grow up in a holistic environment, exposed to music, art and other pursuits. Elitism should have no place in Singapore where we are to live together in peace and harmony regardless of race, language and religion, and may I add, regardless of academic ability as well.
Yours sincerely,
xxxxxx
Sources:
http://www.getformesingapore.com/previous2006/290906_primaryschoolstodoawaywithem3from2008_more.htm
http://www.moe.gov.sg/education/programmes/gifted-education-programme/development-and-growth/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gifted_Education_Programme_(Singapore)
http://www.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20071028-32642.html
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Singapore Budget 2009
On 22 January, Finance Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam delivered the budget speech for the financial year 2009.
(You can read the whole article at http://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg/)
It may be a lifeboey or relief for some but I disargree with a few parts of it.
Firstly, I do not think that the act of giving cash handouts to the public (espicially for people who are not retrenched nor elderly) creates dependence of the people on the government and erodes a sense of independence and self-reliance.
It might be argued that it can help them to cope with the rocketing prices of daily necessities. If that had been the case, the government should have given out the handouts last July or August not now as prices of items have mostly been stable and some have evened dropped.
Secondly, I feel that hard cash handouts can lead to wasteful spendings. For example some people might use this money to go on tours instead on more important things. I feel that handouts in terms of cash vouchers for basic necessities such as food and school fees would be more useful.
Lastly, I am not sure if this is the right time to dig into our reserves as most singaporeans are still not as badly hit by the financial crisis as our counterparts in other countries. I think many singaporeans can still cope with the present situation. Companies are the ones who need help presently.
Apart from that, the Singapore Government has to be commended for being very efficient for years already and Singapore has gone through good fortune so far.
The government wants to be prepared for the future, be prepared for further recessions in the future. As Singapore has no natural resources, the whole country can only depend on the intelligence of Singaporeans to earn money. Thus, shaping the minds of the young can lead to future leaders and cope with recession as the leaders will find ways to tackle the problem and eventually solve it.
I feel Singapore has one of the best governments in the world.
(You can read the whole article at http://www.singaporebudget.gov.sg/)
It may be a lifeboey or relief for some but I disargree with a few parts of it.
Firstly, I do not think that the act of giving cash handouts to the public (espicially for people who are not retrenched nor elderly) creates dependence of the people on the government and erodes a sense of independence and self-reliance.
It might be argued that it can help them to cope with the rocketing prices of daily necessities. If that had been the case, the government should have given out the handouts last July or August not now as prices of items have mostly been stable and some have evened dropped.
Secondly, I feel that hard cash handouts can lead to wasteful spendings. For example some people might use this money to go on tours instead on more important things. I feel that handouts in terms of cash vouchers for basic necessities such as food and school fees would be more useful.
Lastly, I am not sure if this is the right time to dig into our reserves as most singaporeans are still not as badly hit by the financial crisis as our counterparts in other countries. I think many singaporeans can still cope with the present situation. Companies are the ones who need help presently.
Apart from that, the Singapore Government has to be commended for being very efficient for years already and Singapore has gone through good fortune so far.
The government wants to be prepared for the future, be prepared for further recessions in the future. As Singapore has no natural resources, the whole country can only depend on the intelligence of Singaporeans to earn money. Thus, shaping the minds of the young can lead to future leaders and cope with recession as the leaders will find ways to tackle the problem and eventually solve it.
I feel Singapore has one of the best governments in the world.
Saturday, January 17, 2009
Cheating
There has always been talk about students cheating during exams.How about teachers cheating instead?
I feel cheated.
Firstly on Wednesday, a teacher (I will not say who) suddenly said we needed to hand in our homework that day. He/She clearly stated earlier that we only needed to hand in on Thursday. Thankfully, I had enough time that day to come up with some 'crummy' answers.
Secondly, another teacher suddenly emailed us on Wednesday with a new piece of assignment for Friday.
Students are always being told to keep to their word. Why can't teachers do the same?
I feel cheated.
Firstly on Wednesday, a teacher (I will not say who) suddenly said we needed to hand in our homework that day. He/She clearly stated earlier that we only needed to hand in on Thursday. Thankfully, I had enough time that day to come up with some 'crummy' answers.
Secondly, another teacher suddenly emailed us on Wednesday with a new piece of assignment for Friday.
Students are always being told to keep to their word. Why can't teachers do the same?
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