MOE does not recognise son's O levels from NZ
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MOE does not recognise son's O levels from NZ
Today
March 7, 2005
Letter from Craig Mcleod
The current dialogue on setbacks for Singaporeans in their own country ("The fading hope for a brother's return", March 2 and "Not wanted in Singapore", March 5-6) prompts me to respond with my own experience .
I am a New Zealander who has lived here for almost 25 years. My wife is Singaporean and we have four sons — all Singaporeans, with the option to choose New Zealand citizenship should they so desire.
My oldest child is almost 18 and is eligible for National Service (NS). For the past two years, he has studied for his O and A levels in New Zealand. I felt it was beneficial for him to gain some international experience and contacts. It was a tremendous boost to his self-esteem and independence.
However, I was told by the Ministry of Education (MOE) that in order for him to continue to study there, I would have to pay a $75,000 cash bond to the Government. As I have four sons, this would add up to a tidy sum over the next few years.
At a recent walk-about in Boon Lay, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong made a stirring speech in which he encouraged foreign professionals to put down roots here, marry citizens, contribute to society and have children. He even mentioned NS.
As the only ang moh in the hall — and as I was standing up, filming the event for the People's Action Party — I felt as if he was addressing his comments to me directly and I was moved and encouraged by them.
I applied to the Speaker of the House and even wrote to Mr Lee directly to have the bond requirement waived, but all I received in response was a regurgitation of the law.
In my case, I cannot see the benefit of this law.
My sons have the option of leaving Singapore forever — which is in nobody's interest — or plunging their father further into debt to fund their studies overseas.
So my 18-year-old decided to return to Singapore and give up the New Zealand side of his education.
I was further advised by the ministry that his years in New Zealand do not count in Singapore and that he would have to begin his O levels again should he wish to continue his education here.
The message this policy sends out to me, and to many others like me with children of dual nationality, appears to contradict Mr Lee's message. -
The question is why MOE does not recognise son's O levels from NZ?
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My question is that why don't S'pore recognize an O level cert frm a fellow British commonwealth member? If that's the rule how about those S'poreans who were born in the UK? If they move back here, will their O Levels cert not be recognized by the MOE as well?
Such rules are absolutely unbelievable.
I think the son and the father were absolutely naive to believe the PAP will honour their words. As Singaporeans, we all know the PAP like to practise hypocrisy all the time. Don't even start talking to me about our 'world class' civil servants. -
our govt do not walk the talk and talk the walk...
So they had lost favour to the locals and now are losing favour with angmohs... hahaha ...
Its nothing new to locals, its just shocking to angmohs... -
The MIW think that we are the best so much that we fail to see beyond our own hubris.Fellow commonwealth nation too...WTH.
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They live in their self glorified greatness. -
oh well...wat can i say...e singapore gov just have $$$ on their minds...if they dun accept him ...than they can make him go thru sec 4 again n get his "O"s,which means more cash.....
n they can still say they welcome back singaporeans who have been overseas.... kind of a big joke ain't it? -
That's why we should never take whatever they sayat face value.Question and open your eyes.The same goes for the casino proposals.You'd really think that they can appear to be impartial and let the people decide?A leopard never changes its spots.
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My advice to the NZlander - don't put your son through NS or our education system. Let him progress in NZ and even take up NZ citizenship. You and him won't regret it.
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Precisely.Let him come back holding dual passports.Originally posted by macjoe:My advice to the NZlander - don't put your son through NS or our education system. Let him progress in NZ and even take up NZ citizenship. You and him won't regret it. -
Agreed. So it really puzzled me on why he wanted his son to do NS. Most angmohs who have S'porean wives wudn't do it even for a million bucks. They know they are lucky n they have a choice- unlike those who are born here- aka us.Originally posted by macjoe:My advice to the NZlander - don't put your son through NS or our education system. Let him progress in NZ and even take up NZ citizenship. You and him won't regret it. -
Yeah man.. Wonder how is this going to attract singaporeans to come back..Originally posted by harryryan:oh well...wat can i say...e singapore gov just have $$$ on their minds...if they dun accept him ...than they can make him go thru sec 4 again n get his "O"s,which means more cash.....
n they can still say they welcome back singaporeans who have been overseas.... kind of a big joke ain't it?
And Singapore is so small.. I would rather stay in NZ if i were him.. There would be much more job oppurtunities there dan singapore.
Think the government should give incentives to attract Singaporeans back home. -
Wow, as if u knew NZ inside out to say it's better than sg.Originally posted by macjoe:My advice to the NZlander - don't put your son through NS or our education system. Let him progress in NZ and even take up NZ citizenship. You and him won't regret it. 
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hmm in the beginning i realli thought our goverment is good..after reading so many things..i tink they are jus in love with money..i dare say the casino will surly build..they jus wan $$..so they wun care.lol..hmm those studing in other country..i tink is best they get a pr right..no point coming back..
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in singapore , it doesn't matter anymore ... " dun ask , just do " we can moan and moan and moan and whine and curse , it will remain the same ..
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Wow, as if u knew SG inside out to say it's better than nz.
Wow, as if u knew NZ inside out to say it's better than sg.
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Ppl who thinks that the grass is greener down under should think again. Why do you think Ozzies and NZealanders would want to come to work in Spore? Besides, do you think you will be treated equally there?
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Every Singaporean parent has to put a bond when their son studies overseas, why should we make an exception cos he is a foreigner?
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Because his son gets his nationality from his father.NZ passport.Who are we to put other citizens under the jurisdiction of our unfair laws?
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His sons are singaporeans.Originally posted by LazerLordz:Because his son gets his nationality from his father.NZ passport.Who are we to put other citizens under the jurisdiction of our unfair laws? -
Not for long.
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Im willing to give my NS liability to serve a foreign country
The government made the elites in singapore too smart.
Thats why only dumb people stay.
Smart people leave. -
ya, stay & complete edn. in NZ. Come back here to work as FTOriginally posted by macjoe:My advice to the NZlander - don't put your son through NS or our education system. Let him progress in NZ and even take up NZ citizenship. You and him won't regret it. -
they are given teh choice to be new zealanderOriginally posted by SnowFlag:His sons are singaporeans. -
Yesterday I saw JB Jereyatnam at Somerset sellin his book titled "The Hachetman of Singapore"....Looks like it is time for our vote to go to somebodyelse liao.....the government is losing our mandate.....