Education In Singapore
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All right, I know Chit Chat is for crap talk and all so just to warn, this is going to be long and boring but I feel it is an issue that ought to be discussed and I would love to hear some of the views out there.
It is really surprising yet shocking to know how much the education system has changed. From an undisclosed source, I heard that the education system is such that schools nowadays, primary schools, no longer implements corporal punishments. The kids are sent to "counselling". If asked to stand in one corner, it is known as "time-out". Long gone are the days of canings.
The society in Singapore are increasingly liberalising their moral standards. This can be seen all around us. Media, no doubt, has become a huge influence of our lives. Advertisements are more exposing, more violent, more controversial. Censorship levels are constantly reviewed and it seems to me more and more skin are available for the young hormonic adolescents to ogle at. No doubt, we ,as a society, have moved forward (or backward). Globalisation is inevitable. American and western culture has engulf us in many ways.
There's nothing wrong with all these. Humans gotta learn to be open minded to move forward. But the problem arises when there is a lack of control. Remember the golden rule? Too little of something might not be good but too much of something ain't that rosy either. So what shall the control be? Education.
Kids nowadays are brave enough to give you the finger, spout a string of hokkien mixed with malay vulgarities and talk dirty in class, in front of the teacher. Not surprising, since sex is proabably the number one topic of the society. Sure I do. Sure we all do. But the difference is the level of thinking ability. The maturity in the thoughts. Heck! Primary kiddos are not that long enough in this world to know the basic right and wrong. Even if they DO know, they probably ain't that good enough in applying them. There is a reason why exists such a term as Parental Guidance. TO ensure there is some form of monitoring and control. You place a bunch of people in the jungle randomly, they would walked all over the place and got lost. If you add an additional road facility for them, I'm pretty sure most would follow the road.
If education is going to go soft and all, I'm expecting the next few generations to have their ethical standards declining exponentially. How effective can counselling be to a kid? Given a naughty character, surely the cane is more effective than the mouth? Giving advice to a kid who barely knows what he is capable of?
I'm not a fan of corporal punishment. But that doesn't mean I'm voting for it to be wiped off from the face of the earth. Many grew up fearng the cane. Knowing that if they did something, the cane would get to them. It acts as a deterrence. Compoundedly and unconsciously, this is how we grew up learning our basic rights and wrongs. The applications of it. It helps to restrict that freedom of wanting to do something real bad. Heck! If I know all I'm gonna get is some advice or "counselling" as they term it, it is probably worth the thrill to commit that wrong.
Kids who got into trouble in class are obviously ones who love attention. Putting them on "time-out" isn't that singling them out? Making them different from the others? And when you are different aren't you receiving attention from the others? You are feeding the troll in an attempt to wave him away. Do they even know that they are being punished? Well, they gotta love punishments!
What sparks this change in education system? Parents. Not all though. Not gonna make a hasty generalisation here. I'm talking about the ones who are, compoundedly, capable enough to influence the change. The working parents who don't have a single clue to what their kids are up to and yet giving the poor teachers a bloody hard time. I really do wonder whether the kids that swears freely and gesturing crudely as if he knows it all, does the same thing at home. Probably not. Cos home, there is the cane. There is discipline. Fear instilled. Psychologically and naturally, that is probably how the kids perceive it.
I know I rambled too much. Incoherent at times. Lengthy, long-winded but I'm glad I got it all out. I might came across as being bias. Eager to blame the parents right from the start of the post and when I finally did, it all came in a fury. But don't get me wrong. That's not my stand.
My true stand is that, in Singapore, education being made compulsory, plays a huge role in moulding a character. As such, the next few generations that is going to lead Singapore are determine by the education system set today. Screw it up? The future looks doubtful.. In future when I have kids, I fear for them to be growing up in such an environment...
Summary? Just read the last paragraph..
Thank you. Views, comments? -
U can talk all u want...
many wun hv the Guts to Change thou they know wat they are doing is wrong and outdated... they follow the norms and refused to change... -
Actually in my opinion, kids are just kids, they wanted to be treated with respect, and though, some of them, are ignorant in their actions, so we as an adult should guide them, and maybe they are full of s h i t most of the time, but still, they also want their voice to be heard, not just be treated like any other kiddo,
and furthermore, we as an adult, should be more gracious and more forgiving, if they want respect, they should earn it, instead of thinking, it shall be bestow upon them, the more they whine about the unjust treatment, the more, they will treated as a kid, if they wanted to be treated as equal, first they must prove it, instead of just talk, after all, action speak louder than words
i wouldn't care much about what a kid has to say, after they are just flies flying around my ears, until they learn about etiquette, mannerism.Why should the government give priority to the kids, since they don't have the power to vote, and therefore, do they have any rights, i think most of them totally forgotten about this.
If we as an adult, fail to lead them in example, and squabble around with them, then truly, we are no different from them
Cheers, let them grumble, all they want, after all, this is their 'growing' up period while i drink my tea, and enjoy the little drama, they are creating -
I grew up with the cane, was the best buddy in my life.
. Kids these days should taste the cane. -
both parents working ... kids brought up by maids .... run wild after school ...
how would you expect the kids to turn out ? ..... -
Kids don't give a heck these days.
Internet and friends is all they have. Most have no idea what they are scolding and signing. They only know it when somebody screams at them for using this particular word or showing this particular sign. Their parents know, their elders know, but they have no wish of passing this knowledge down or even teaching them from the right and wrongs. As a third generation kid, I've my own shares of asking and getting scolded, so nothing is new.
Adults only know how to say to ask when you don't know, but when asked, this is what we get. Since the reaction is so huge, it's no wonder that kids assume that these are bad and start using them.
Guidance is an easy word, but I don't see much of it being applied in today's society... -
Until the day, a kid able to earn his own keep, and start to think before saying, then please remember where did your pocket money comes from,
sure, you can think, and want to be treated with decency, but fail to remember you are still taking pocket money from parents.
Prove it with action, instead of asking for fair treatment
When i was playing WOW, that time, i meet this fellow, he is a intelligent fellow, polite and with manners, able to project his image in a fashionable manner
i respect him, and treated him as equal, and he is 14
Prove it!
instead of grumbling, adult can show you the guidance, but you have to be teachable, if you just shrug it off, and say that adult only knows how to scold people, sometimes its for your own good, the society itself, is cruel, may not even give you a second chance, when you make a mistake
so cherish that childhood, and youth, till the day, you reach 30+, ah, by that time, you will think, how i wish i could be a kid again, i grow up without computer, and hell, i don't even have a PS2, this is how fortunate, they are, still want to grumble about this and that, the more grumble, the more you will be treated as kids! adult don't grumble so much, they suck it up and move on~! I don't know what is the problem with kids nowadays, back then i am contented, with marble and if i am fortunate enough, with the little savings, i have, i could buy myself new toys! HELL, i even have to beg my mom to buy PS1 and we have to pay instalments! Jesus Christ, like i say, they are just flies flying around my ears -
post in speaker's corner -
Try showing your middle finger to your parents and see if they will explain nicely.
Most won't, I will say. You will get a scolding, for kids with stricter parents, you will end up with a beating.
When someone asks, they expect an answer (or at the very least, tell them nicely it's wrong), not a scolding or beating, whether or not it's right. -
i am also raise up in this way, i kenna cane by my parents so many times already, whip by the belt by my father numerous times already
so my point is, kids needs to learn how to be humble, instead of argue back, just because they think they are right
sometime, i rather not argue, is because, no point in arguing at all, what do i gain out of it, i make my point, if they just want to argue without proving any point at all, it will be just squabbling, its a waste of time
if you point your middle finger at your parent, then you really deserve a beating, i never in my whole entire life, point my middle finger at my parent,
you are not making any sense at all...........
when i reach the age of 18, my parent, just leave me alone, because i learn how to communicate with my parents, and tell them what is going on with my life, and slowly, they give me more leeway, and start to listen to my reasoning
communication with parent is very important.......
arguing and reasoning are a whole different thing.............
if you want your parent to listen to your reasoning, then listen to what they have to say, then prove to them, you can be trusted, and slowly, you will listen to what you have to say, instead if you argue at whatever they have say, and ask for more freedom, it ain't going to happen, but instead, they will think you are rebellious
even a 21 years old, can be consider as a kid, if his actions and behaviour, are immature and childish. -
I have to say that i disagree.Originally posted by dinky1409:All right, I know Chit Chat is for crap talk and all so just to warn, this is going to be long and boring but I feel it is an issue that ought to be discussed and I would love to hear some of the views out there.
It is really surprising yet shocking to know how much the education system has changed. From an undisclosed source, I heard that the education system is such that schools nowadays, primary schools, no longer implements corporal punishments. The kids are sent to "counselling". If asked to stand in one corner, it is known as "time-out". Long gone are the days of canings.
The society in Singapore are increasingly liberalising their moral standards. This can be seen all around us. Media, no doubt, has become a huge influence of our lives. Advertisements are more exposing, more violent, more controversial. Censorship levels are constantly reviewed and it seems to me more and more skin are available for the young hormonic adolescents to ogle at. No doubt, we ,as a society, have moved forward (or backward). Globalisation is inevitable. American and western culture has engulf us in many ways.
There's nothing wrong with all these. Humans gotta learn to be open minded to move forward. But the problem arises when there is a lack of control. Remember the golden rule? Too little of something might not be good but too much of something ain't that rosy either. So what shall the control be? Education.
Kids nowadays are brave enough to give you the finger, spout a string of hokkien mixed with malay vulgarities and talk dirty in class, in front of the teacher. Not surprising, since sex is proabably the number one topic of the society. Sure I do. Sure we all do. But the difference is the level of thinking ability. The maturity in the thoughts. Heck! Primary kiddos are not that long enough in this world to know the basic right and wrong. Even if they DO know, they probably ain't that good enough in applying them. There is a reason why exists such a term as Parental Guidance. TO ensure there is some form of monitoring and control. You place a bunch of people in the jungle randomly, they would walked all over the place and got lost. If you add an additional road facility for them, I'm pretty sure most would follow the road.
If education is going to go soft and all, I'm expecting the next few generations to have their ethical standards declining exponentially. How effective can counselling be to a kid? Given a naughty character, surely the cane is more effective than the mouth? Giving advice to a kid who barely knows what he is capable of?
I'm not a fan of corporal punishment. But that doesn't mean I'm voting for it to be wiped off from the face of the earth. Many grew up fearng the cane. Knowing that if they did something, the cane would get to them. It acts as a deterrence. Compoundedly and unconsciously, this is how we grew up learning our basic rights and wrongs. The applications of it. It helps to restrict that freedom of wanting to do something real bad. Heck! If I know all I'm gonna get is some advice or "counselling" as they term it, it is probably worth the thrill to commit that wrong.
Kids who got into trouble in class are obviously ones who love attention. Putting them on "time-out" isn't that singling them out? Making them different from the others? And when you are different aren't you receiving attention from the others? You are feeding the troll in an attempt to wave him away. Do they even know that they are being punished? Well, they gotta love punishments!
What sparks this change in education system? Parents. Not all though. Not gonna make a hasty generalisation here. I'm talking about the ones who are, compoundedly, capable enough to influence the change. The working parents who don't have a single clue to what their kids are up to and yet giving the poor teachers a bloody hard time. I really do wonder whether the kids that swears freely and gesturing crudely as if he knows it all, does the same thing at home. Probably not. Cos home, there is the cane. There is discipline. Fear instilled. Psychologically and naturally, that is probably how the kids perceive it.
I know I rambled too much. Incoherent at times. Lengthy, long-winded but I'm glad I got it all out. I might came across as being bias. Eager to blame the parents right from the start of the post and when I finally did, it all came in a fury. But don't get me wrong. That's not my stand.
My true stand is that, in Singapore, education being made compulsory, plays a huge role in moulding a character. As such, the next few generations that is going to lead Singapore are determine by the education system set today. Screw it up? The future looks doubtful.. In future when I have kids, I fear for them to be growing up in such an environment...
Summary? Just read the last paragraph..
Thank you. Views, comments?
There is only how much you can learn in schools.
It is the whole thing, in short, the environment an individual grows up in, and environment means everything.
If i have to pinpoint, i'd have to say that media plays the biggest part. From television, to books, radios and even the things which are censored, things we dont get to see.
I guess i used the wrong word, edited it to disagree. -
i think TS is right to some extent,Originally posted by ChingAlvin:I have to say that you are damn wrong.
There is only how much you can learn in schools.
It is the whole thing, in short, the environment an individual grows up in, and environment means everything.
If i have to pinpoint, i'd have to say that media plays the biggest part. From television, to books, radios and even the things which are censored, things we dont get to see.
and you are just finger pointing,
basically, how could you , say that media plays the biggest part.......... if you are going to blame IDA for censorship, don't be silly, write a email to them, ask them why
you didn't even make your statement clear enough, furthermore, you can always search for those uncensored material from the internet........GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND, and what should of uncensored material, are you talking about!
this is still a traditional country, compare with the censorship in china, we are still OK!
and please for goodness sake, don't be silly, environment doesn't mould a person, each individual is responsible for themselves, their own action, their own thinking is determine by your own form of judgement, do you actually believe in everything what the newspaper has to say. Your own darn fate is in your own hand, don't BLAME YOUR ENVIRONMENT OR YOUR PARENTS!
goodness, you can't even come up with constructive words, and wants to argue that TS is wrong
what is your point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! -
Note* Check out what media means.Originally posted by allentyb:i think TS is right to some extent,
and you are just finger pointing,
basically, how could you , say that media plays the biggest part.......... if you are going to blame IDA for censorship, don't be silly, write a email to them, ask them why
you didn't even make your statement clear enough, furthermore, you can always search for those uncensored material from the internet........GOOGLE IS YOUR FRIEND, and what should of uncensored material, are you talking about!
this is still a traditional country, compare with the censorship in china, we are still OK!
and please for goodness sake, don't be silly, environment doesn't mould a person, each individual is responsible for themselves, their own action, their own thinking is determine by your own form of judgement, do you actually believe in everything what the newspaper has to say. Your own darn fate is in your own hand, don't BLAME YOUR ENVIRONMENT OR YOUR PARENTS!
goodness, you can't even come up with constructive words, and wants to argue that TS is wrong
what is your point!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Environment doesnt literally means, environment in your sense. -
do explain your point 'clearly'Originally posted by ChingAlvin:Note* Check out what media means.
Environment doesnt literally means, environment in your sense.
are you talking about your surrounding
i am sorry, but you have yet to make any point at all
what do you mean by environment in your sense, what are you talking about
again, your surrounding or 'your environment in your sense(i still don't get what you are saying at all) doesn't determine what should of, person, you will become in the future
and yes, i know about, media censorship, but you yet, to clarify, what should of uncensored material, did the media censored or in this case, you really need to clarify with IDA, before making any bold statement, without using any form of proof to back your statement. Though the media may have censor whatever material or news, which you are claiming and still unable to state, and which you can always google it, if you are talking about the government, then all i can said to you is, welcome to singapore, and internet is the best place to find any uncensored material which you still unable to state what is the uncensored material in your statement, so do refrain more making statement or i think you probably can't and just want to rebuke back at TS, without providing any valid point at all
please refrain from replying back at my post if you are going to post with one line or two line sentence, i probably think you don't know what you are saying and you don't have enough words to construct a statement to back it up,
so please don't
last thing, in a statement, you have a opening line, valid point, an arguement, and findings to back it up, and an conclusion
but your two post, you never even mention anything at all
perhaps you should have jolly well, edit your post, to I THINK, instead of saying you are so wrong
TS makes so many points so clear enough, and all you did, is making a few lines, and you want to rebuke him back, how ironic, -
ChingAlvin
what is your point and what is your conclusion and what do you think, there can be done,
you never state any thing at all, any claims at all
and please don't mention that TS is wrong. People take the time, to write out his findings about the society
and you want to comment on his finding with one lines or two lines
wah lau
you want to rebuke back at TS, for goodness sake, at least, spend some effort, write something more
could you? or please lah, you want to argue, but never provide any findings at all, and you want to rebuke back at TS.
my last post, whether you think that you are right, at least back it up, instead of typing out only one line or two line
and i read online news bulletin aka 'media' all the time, please spend some effort, read up before commenting -
Alright dude. cool it.Originally posted by allentyb:do explain your point 'clearly'
are you talking about your surrounding
i am sorry, but you have yet to make any point at all
what do you mean by environment in your sense, what are you talking about
again, your surrounding or 'your environment in your sense(i still don't get what you are saying at all) doesn't determine what should of, person, you will become in the future
and yes, i know about, media censorship, but you yet, to clarify, what should of uncensored material, did the media censored or in this case, you really need to clarify with IDA, before making any bold statement, without using any form of proof to back your statement. Though the media may have censor whatever material or news, which you are claiming and still unable to state, and which you can always google it, if you are talking about the government, then all i can said to you is, welcome to singapore, and internet is the best place to find any uncensored material which you still unable to state what is the uncensored material in your statement, so do refrain more making statement or i think you probably can't and just want to rebuke back at TS, without providing any valid point at all
please refrain from replying back at my post if you are going to post with one line or two line sentence, i probably think you don't know what you are saying and you don't have enough words to construct a statement to back it up,
so please don't
last thing, in a statement, you have a opening line, valid point, an arguement, and findings to back it up, and an conclusion
but your two post, you never even mention anything at all
perhaps you should have jolly well, edit your post, to I THINK, instead of saying you are so wrong
TS makes so many points so clear enough, and all you did, is making a few lines, and you want to rebuke him back, how ironic,
Media, does not only mean things like television, programmes we watch and things like that. Media, stand for many things, namely, television programmes, books, movies, music, advertisments and many many other things which is able to instill things to the mass.
So basically, what i was trying to say was, i totally dont agree with putting the blame on education system. There is so much education can do, and educators are human too, prone to any external influences which might affect they themselves.
Environment, what i was trying to mean was, anything and everything we gets in touch with. Not just your trees, the people we get in touch with etc...
The main reason i dont agree thread starter was, education system, no matter how good they are, can never mould a person, teach a person if the subject himself, is not willing to.
Why do we have failures and national scorers in the same school, same country, same system?
It is never the education system to blame, in fact, nothing is to blame. It is only the effect of Media (like what i explained above) influence, environmental factor (like what i explained above, and many million factors combined, of course, education involved to, which shapes a person.
Apologies if short replies agonizes you so much.
Of course, this is only my thought, no right, no wrong. -
Originally posted by allentyb:
My guess is that you viewed "media" only as what would be conventional media.
ChingAlvin
what is your point and what is your conclusion and what do you think, there can be done,
you never state any thing at all, any claims at all
and please don't mention that TS is wrong. People take the time, to write out his findings about the society
and you want to comment on his finding with one lines or two lines
wah lau
you want to rebuke back at TS, for goodness sake, at least, spend some effort, write something more
could you? or please lah, you want to argue, but never provide any findings at all, and you want to rebuke back at TS.
my last post, whether you think that you are right, at least back it up, instead of typing out only one line or two line
[b]and i read online news bulletin aka 'media' all the time, please spend some effort, read up before commenting
[/b]
I used the word, media coz i meant everything media meant. Which includes Social media, New media, Mass media, Multi media, Wired media and lots more. -
my father is a teacher ... and he's recently been diagnosed with high blood pressure ...
no doubt it's the students that he has to deal with ... he doesn't bring his work home ... but every now and then he'll tell us about little incidents here and there that makes my hair stand ... imagine students telling you to "fark off" when you tell them to shut up ....
and here's a true story ... a principal took early retirement after he was challenged to a fight by a student after telling him off for smoking in school, INFRONT OF THE PRINCIPAL ... his reasoning was that since the students were beyond hope, no point getting a heart attack and conk off before he can enjoy his golden years ...
I don't ever want to be a teacher, being one shortens your life span, and I worry every single day that my father has to go to work ... -
Hey all.. First of all I'm encouraged by the replies! But let's try to keep it clean even if we have opposing views..
ndmmxiaomayi, I agree with you to a certain extent. Yes, hardly parents will explain to you nicely what the finger means, or for that matter, what all the other vulgarities mean. Of course, if you go up to your parents and nicely ask But how many people are like you? People who would learn what is right and wrong through explanation and never to cross the line to test water. Not many I'm pretty sure. No figures to back it up but sadly, that is how society is. I never disregard these minorities but it is not them that is of concerned now. You can give me a textbook of what is right and wrong in life. But how does that ensure that I don't do anything wrong? What deters us from shoplifting? It is fear from getting caught. Fear from having a criminal record. Fear that it would affect our job prospects. Fear for what others might think of us. Ultimately, fear is more effective than mere sitting down and explaining it all. Of course, the best thing is to have both together.
Back to my point. I agree media plays a huge role. But it is here to stay. Like it or not. There will be a point of time in the future when mainstream television networks will start to allow nudity and strong language. Let's be open minded. These things do exist. How long can the media hold back on these censorships? You can say that media and the environment plays a part in moulding a person's character. I agreed completely. But education is the key factor that could interpret the rights and wrongs in the media and environment. It won't work out if it is only going to be a matter of sitting down and talking about it. There must be also a form of fear instilled in the students. Discipline is formed from physical deterrence.
My only concern is that why should the schools go easy on the students when punishing them? They do something wrong, they should answer for it. That will deter them from committing the same offence.. -
tis shld be in The Arena
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Dont worry lah. Nowadays the milk product will make kids super smart
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My only concern is that why should the schools go easy on the students when punishing them? They do something wrong, they should answer for it. That will deter them from committing the same offence
Remember the Nan Qiao School incident?
Before that, I would say some schools are quite strict.
After that, there's a 180-degree about turn. -
Hi, i dont know but i still feel that most read media as just the main-stream media...Originally posted by dinky1409:Hey all.. First of all I'm encouraged by the replies! But let's try to keep it clean even if we have opposing views..
ndmmxiaomayi, I agree with you to a certain extent. Yes, hardly parents will explain to you nicely what the finger means, or for that matter, what all the other vulgarities mean. Of course, if you go up to your parents and nicely ask But how many people are like you? People who would learn what is right and wrong through explanation and never to cross the line to test water. Not many I'm pretty sure. No figures to back it up but sadly, that is how society is. I never disregard these minorities but it is not them that is of concerned now. You can give me a textbook of what is right and wrong in life. But how does that ensure that I don't do anything wrong? What deters us from shoplifting? It is fear from getting caught. Fear from having a criminal record. Fear that it would affect our job prospects. Fear for what others might think of us. Ultimately, fear is more effective than mere sitting down and explaining it all. Of course, the best thing is to have both together.
Back to my point. I agree media plays a huge role. But it is here to stay. Like it or not. There will be a point of time in the future when mainstream television networks will start to allow nudity and strong language. Let's be open minded. These things do exist. How long can the media hold back on these censorships? You can say that media and the environment plays a part in moulding a person's character. I agreed completely. But education is the key factor that could interpret the rights and wrongs in the media and environment. It won't work out if it is only going to be a matter of sitting down and talking about it. There must be also a form of fear instilled in the students. Discipline is formed from physical deterrence.
My only concern is that why should the schools go easy on the students when punishing them? They do something wrong, they should answer for it. That will deter them from committing the same offence.. -
That's the media that we had most contact with...Originally posted by ChingAlvin:Hi, i dont know but i still feel that most read media as just the main-stream media... -
speaking of education system... can i sidetrack a bit?
has the government (or MOE etc) ever thought of attracting students to pursue their further education (i.e. from, lets say, poly) in local Unis instead of overseas ones? coz i learn that not everyone can continue to study in local unis; some have to go abroad depending on the courses available for them.
so i think its better if the government ensure that there's more opportunity for students to stay than go abroad to study. it prevents all the hassle for us students.
what do u all think?