Being a vibrant and sustainable global city, having a strong culture of education and learning, as well as a culture of seeking knowledge, innovation and ideas are key factors to keep Singapore young forever.
In the past few years, Singapore is consistently coming up with new attractions to attract tourist and investors into Singapore. For example, at a height of 165m, Singapore Flyer is the world’s largest Giant Observation Wheel and is set to be one of Asia’s biggest tourist attractions. And recently, the Marina Bay Sand had opened and it has attracted lots of tourist to spend in Singapore. Therefore, with all these attractions, it will improve Singapore’s economic.
Secondly, Singapore is currently facing an aging population. In the long run, government has been spending money to encourage family for having more children. Besides that, Singapore also needs to be a magnet for talented foreigners who share its citizens' ideals and dreams, and have a strong and forward-looking leadership.
Lastly, Singapore tries to make friends with other countries, is will help to prevent conflict and also as a protection.
Underpinning it all is a strong and forward-looking government that can tackle the challenges Singapore faces. This means having the right people in charge. It also means continuous leadership renewal.
By Lo Pei Chuan
102320J
Friday, May 28, 2010
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Forever young Singapore
A strong culture of education and learning was the first key point mentioned by DPM Teo. In my opinion, by pursuing education pathways that matches our interests and individual abilities, the education and learning journey is important to everyone of us as it can help us achieve success in our future. As stated in his speech, "A strong culture of education and continuous learning keeps our people fresh, young and relevant, no matter what their ages are", thus, everyone of different ages and generations can learn and also receive education, this is the way to keep their minds young and in the future, they are able to achieve success with such skills and knowledge. Picking up a new skill or learning a new language will only bring advantages to people.
In my opinion, having more casinos and intergrated resorts does not keep Singapore "forever young". Crime rates might rise up due to unhealthy gambling habits. As mentioned by DPM Teo, we want Singapore to be a vibrant global city, a city where people want to live, work and play, it also has to be an environmentally sustainable city. Therefore, if we want a comfortable, safe and sustainable urban life, we must not have so many casinos that can attract the people to be addicted to gambling.
On the other hand, hosting more world-class events will keep Singapore "forever young". These events includes the upcoming Youth Olympics Games and the recent Formula One race. These integrated events will make Singapore more well-known in the eyes of the other countries. More countries will get to know us even though we are a small island. The upcoming First Youth Olympics Games will be hosted and held in Singapore. This will create a lasting sports, culture and education legacy for Singapore and youths from around the world, as well as to enhance and elevate the sporting culture locally and regionally.
By Zhengyi (104611S)
In my opinion, having more casinos and intergrated resorts does not keep Singapore "forever young". Crime rates might rise up due to unhealthy gambling habits. As mentioned by DPM Teo, we want Singapore to be a vibrant global city, a city where people want to live, work and play, it also has to be an environmentally sustainable city. Therefore, if we want a comfortable, safe and sustainable urban life, we must not have so many casinos that can attract the people to be addicted to gambling.
On the other hand, hosting more world-class events will keep Singapore "forever young". These events includes the upcoming Youth Olympics Games and the recent Formula One race. These integrated events will make Singapore more well-known in the eyes of the other countries. More countries will get to know us even though we are a small island. The upcoming First Youth Olympics Games will be hosted and held in Singapore. This will create a lasting sports, culture and education legacy for Singapore and youths from around the world, as well as to enhance and elevate the sporting culture locally and regionally.
By Zhengyi (104611S)
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
No reason to do so.
In my opinion, Ministry of Education(MOE) should not reduce the weightage of Mother Tongue language in major examinations in Singapore such as Primary School Leaving Examination(PSLE).
Firstly, by reducing the weightage of Mother Tongue language, it is being unfair to students who excel in their Mother Tongue language. They may ask, “Why not reduce the weightage of English language instead?” Quoted from Asiaone news, "PSLE should reward those who work hard to excel in Mother Tongue, not 'punish' them by reducing its weighting." Therefore, there is no reason why Mother Tongue language should be treated differently from English language.
Secondly, if the weightage of Mother Tongue language is reduced, students will have the thinking that their Mother Tongue language is not important. This thinking should not be accepted as Mother Tongue language is the root of every culture. Education should not just emphasize on academic results but also on the well-being of students and their appreciation towards their culture. Therefore, it is important that Mother Tongue do not lose its standings in the education system.
Lastly, Mother Tongue language is a very important tool in the competitive business world. For example, for a Chinese businessman doing business in China, Chinese language is indispensable when doing presentations and meeting clients. Some may argue that that they could hire a translator, however, it is a very inconvenient and insincere way to do business. It gives the other party a bad impression and somehow loses their respect, as well as the business deal. What’s more, China will very soon be an economic superpower, meaning that the Chinese language will be extremely important.
So in conclusion, we must not reduce the weightage of Mother Tongue language.
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By Lo Pei Chuan
102320J
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
The negative and positive side of the issue.
Definitely there will be pros and cons if the Ministry of Education reduce the weight of Mother Tongue in examinations like the PSLE.
By reducing the weight of the Mother Tongue language will benefit students who come from English-speaking homes. It helps to lessen their stress and work load. English is also a common language used to communicate with other people in the whole wide world, rather than Mother Tongue. For example, all examination papers are written or printed in English and not in any other language. Singapore has always been encouraging foreign talents, thus more foreigners tend to stay in Singapore permanently. When foreigners start studying in Singapore, and start taking Mother Tongue as one of their subjects, they'll tend to struggle because it's not one of their native language. Some people also feel more comfortable in their second language because their mother tongue might be very limited and does not provide a large number of words or expression.
The negative side on reducing the weight of Mother Tongue is that it will not benefit students who are more fluent in their Mother Tongue, than in English. Singapore is a multi-ethnic society and Mother Tongue is used to indicate the language of one's ethnic group regardless of race, religion and social background. Mother Tongue expresses each culture of society to the complete satisfaction of it's members. It also indicates the identity and sense of belonging of each person.
Since our education system prides itself on meritocracy, I, therefore, think that reducing the weighting of Mother Tongue will undoubtedly go against it. In conclusion, the Ministry of Education should not reduce the weight of Mother Tongue.
-Kimberley
By reducing the weight of the Mother Tongue language will benefit students who come from English-speaking homes. It helps to lessen their stress and work load. English is also a common language used to communicate with other people in the whole wide world, rather than Mother Tongue. For example, all examination papers are written or printed in English and not in any other language. Singapore has always been encouraging foreign talents, thus more foreigners tend to stay in Singapore permanently. When foreigners start studying in Singapore, and start taking Mother Tongue as one of their subjects, they'll tend to struggle because it's not one of their native language. Some people also feel more comfortable in their second language because their mother tongue might be very limited and does not provide a large number of words or expression.
The negative side on reducing the weight of Mother Tongue is that it will not benefit students who are more fluent in their Mother Tongue, than in English. Singapore is a multi-ethnic society and Mother Tongue is used to indicate the language of one's ethnic group regardless of race, religion and social background. Mother Tongue expresses each culture of society to the complete satisfaction of it's members. It also indicates the identity and sense of belonging of each person.
Since our education system prides itself on meritocracy, I, therefore, think that reducing the weighting of Mother Tongue will undoubtedly go against it. In conclusion, the Ministry of Education should not reduce the weight of Mother Tongue.
-Kimberley
More harm than good
In my opinion, the Ministry of Education should not reduce the weighing of Mother Tongue in the PSLE because such action will only do more harm than good to Singapore's education system.
Due to Globalization, regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a globe-spanning network of communication and trade. Thus it is clear that students who are equipped with the ability to speak different languages would be at the advantage in the future society. For small countries like Singapore whom most important asset is its human resources, Singapore should not risk losing out to foreigners who take up a second language.
Although most of the students in Singapore are from english-speaking families, reducing the weighing of Mother Tongue should not be deemed as an option to allow students to concentrate in other core subjects like English, Mathematics and Science. If such policy is to be implemented, it will cause a wrong impression that Mother Tongue is inferior to the other subjects, thus students will not put in effort in the subject. Without a basic foundation for Mother Tongue, students will then have to suffer in secondary schools as Mother Tongue is still a compulsory subject in 'O' Level examinations.
As quoted in the article "Don't fall for easy route",
Yap Si Ling (100832P)
Due to Globalization, regional economies, societies, and cultures have become integrated through a globe-spanning network of communication and trade. Thus it is clear that students who are equipped with the ability to speak different languages would be at the advantage in the future society. For small countries like Singapore whom most important asset is its human resources, Singapore should not risk losing out to foreigners who take up a second language.
Although most of the students in Singapore are from english-speaking families, reducing the weighing of Mother Tongue should not be deemed as an option to allow students to concentrate in other core subjects like English, Mathematics and Science. If such policy is to be implemented, it will cause a wrong impression that Mother Tongue is inferior to the other subjects, thus students will not put in effort in the subject. Without a basic foundation for Mother Tongue, students will then have to suffer in secondary schools as Mother Tongue is still a compulsory subject in 'O' Level examinations.
As quoted in the article "Don't fall for easy route",
In conclusion, mother tongue may be hard to learn and make it difficult for a pupil to get into a good secondary school. However, that is no excuse for taking the easy way out. In the long term, MOE is not helping society by lowering the bar, but hindering the next generation of leaders who may be less fluent in their second language.
Yap Si Ling (100832P)
Monday, May 17, 2010
Pros & Cons.
There are both pros and cons in the issue of reducing the weightage of Mother Tongue language in the PSLE.
By lowering down the weightage of Mother Tongue in the PSLE, it do help students with lesser language abilities as all students have different strengths and weaknesses. Thus, students with weak language skills will be able to do well and concentrate well on the other subjects. On the other side, students with a stonger language skills are at a disadvantage. Quoted from the article, S'poreans split on Mother Tongue weighting, it states that 'Children from disadvantaged families who may be strong in Mother Tongue will be kept out of the best secondary schools.'
Secondly, the bilingual policy was introduced many years ago. All students are to study their subject-matter curriculum through the medium of English, but they are also required to take another subject which is their official mother tongue language. Mandarin for Chinese, Malay for Malays and Tamil for Indians. It has been practised for many years and has been going on smoothly thus they should not reduce the weightage of Mother Tongue in the PSLE.
By Zhengyi.
By lowering down the weightage of Mother Tongue in the PSLE, it do help students with lesser language abilities as all students have different strengths and weaknesses. Thus, students with weak language skills will be able to do well and concentrate well on the other subjects. On the other side, students with a stonger language skills are at a disadvantage. Quoted from the article, S'poreans split on Mother Tongue weighting, it states that 'Children from disadvantaged families who may be strong in Mother Tongue will be kept out of the best secondary schools.'
Secondly, the bilingual policy was introduced many years ago. All students are to study their subject-matter curriculum through the medium of English, but they are also required to take another subject which is their official mother tongue language. Mandarin for Chinese, Malay for Malays and Tamil for Indians. It has been practised for many years and has been going on smoothly thus they should not reduce the weightage of Mother Tongue in the PSLE.
By Zhengyi.
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
Singaporean's spliting on mother tounge's weighting (michael's response)
There are two sides regarding the issue.
Firsltly, by reducing the the weighting on Mother Tongue will do 'justice' to english-educated student as there are many foreigner, such as people from China that uses their Mother Tounge(chinese)to give them the edge to qualify to the top secondary school, especially in PSLE as only 4 subjects are being examined thus playing a big part in the student's aggregate score, to top it off, foreigners from countries such as phillipines and thailand, which are singapore's neighbouring countries, they are struggling with Mother Tounge as they are not offered their native languages as a result their PSLE aggregate suffers.
Secondly, recducing weighting on Mother Tongue may not be such a wise move. Quoting from the article http://news.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100511-215458.html (After the meeting, the KGMS said in a statement that such a move would result in students paying less attention to the subject, reduce curriculum time on the subject and weaken pupils' command of the Mother Tongue, it said.)(It may also undermine the welfare, morale and quality of Malay teachers: 'They will feel the subject they teach is 'second class' compared to English, Science and Maths, and consider themselves 'second class' teachers.'). This shows that it will cause much unhappiness in the education sector in singapore.
Firsltly, by reducing the the weighting on Mother Tongue will do 'justice' to english-educated student as there are many foreigner, such as people from China that uses their Mother Tounge(chinese)to give them the edge to qualify to the top secondary school, especially in PSLE as only 4 subjects are being examined thus playing a big part in the student's aggregate score, to top it off, foreigners from countries such as phillipines and thailand, which are singapore's neighbouring countries, they are struggling with Mother Tounge as they are not offered their native languages as a result their PSLE aggregate suffers.
Secondly, recducing weighting on Mother Tongue may not be such a wise move. Quoting from the article http://news.asiaone.com/News/Education/Story/A1Story20100511-215458.html (After the meeting, the KGMS said in a statement that such a move would result in students paying less attention to the subject, reduce curriculum time on the subject and weaken pupils' command of the Mother Tongue, it said.)(It may also undermine the welfare, morale and quality of Malay teachers: 'They will feel the subject they teach is 'second class' compared to English, Science and Maths, and consider themselves 'second class' teachers.'). This shows that it will cause much unhappiness in the education sector in singapore.
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