Changing faces of Singapore’s society

Changing faces of Singapore’s society

Singapore was just a tiny fishing village in the past but Singapore has transformed into a modern and urbanised “Garden City” city now. Kampongs of closely knitted communities are replaced by corporate buildings and HDB flats. Singaporeans now lead a stressful and fast-paced life in this ever-changing world.

Improvement in technology has resulted in a better standard of living for people living in Singapore. Slums and squatters are now HDB flats or other private housing. Better medical facilities and technology has also resulted in higher life expectancy rates and mortality rates. Singapore’s government has worked hard to remove problems faced in earlier years of independence which includes race and religious riots.

Singapore is a multi-ethnic society but we enjoy racial harmony as a result of mutual understanding and acceptance of the different race cultures and religions present in Singapore. This is also one of the reasons that attracted many foreigners to Singapore. Initially, foreigners (including foreign talents) came due to work, but eventually many settled down and build families here. Every year, the number of people becoming a permanent resident increases and some even became Singapore Citizens. Our forefathers were Eurasians, Chinese, Malays or Indians. We have Koreans, Japanese, Thai, Vietnamese and many others who are fellow citizens now.

Although Singapore is small in terms of land area, we are still possible targets of transnational terrorism. This threatens the peace and security people in Singapore enjoy. There were incidents where terrorist attacks happened in other parts of the world but Singaporeans were linked to the organizations. As a result, people start being wary and oversensitive towards particular racial groups. In such times, Singaporeans should be more bonded and not doubt one another. When there is trust and understanding, probability of conflicts arising decreases and peace is maintained.

I believe many years later, Singapore’s racial harmony would still be maintained and we will enjoy learning more from our diversified backgrounds.

link: Wikipedia: Singapore

Education System in Singapore

Education system in Singapore

Everyone knows the importance of an education certificate in Singapore. Or rather, every parent in Singapore would emphasise the importance of having it. Without it, how are we going to compete with other job seekers in society? Is this the purpose of education in Singapore?

In Singapore, an average child begins his/her education from nursery and kindergarten level. This is called pre-school education whereby at the end of it, children learn how to differentiate right from wrong, how to interact and socialise with others, develop interest in learning, expressing themselves and love the people around them. Most of these are actually basic but crucial social skills that go a long way in our lives.

After kindergarten, a child should go through primary school education. In fact, an average child above 6 years old but below 15 years old has to attend a national primary school as a student regularly under the Compulsory Education Act which was introduced in 2003. Therefore usually all children would at least have gone through primary education up to Primary 6 level.

In primary school, students are taught a range of subjects including languages, mathematics, sciences, art & crafts, music and social studies, so as to lay a foundation in subjects across different areas of study. Knowledge skills and character development are also main aspects of primary education whereby thought-and-process skills and life skills are developed through Co-Curricular Activities (CCAs), Civics and Moral Education, National Education and Physical Education.

However, many parents are more focused on their child’s academic results instead of character development and sent their children to tuition classes, expecting their children to score full marks for tests and examinations. At the end of Primary 6, students take the Primary School Leaving Examinations (PSLE) before they can successfully graduate from Primary 6. The reason why many parents would send their child for tuition classes is the wish for their child to score well and enter a good secondary school after PSLE.

Students are posted into a secondary school based on either the Direct School Admission (DSA) or Secondary One Posting Exercise. For DSA, a secondary school selects a student based on the school’s merit-based academic and non-academic criteria. Depending on what the school emphasise on, qualities such as talent in science, music or sports, would be taken in consideration. Student that are not selected may still gain admission into a secondary school via the Secondary One Posting Exercise.

The DSA shows that not all school focus on academic results only. Besides, every Secondary School student has to take part in at least one CCA. Secondary schools focus on a more holistic education where students become more all-rounded, excelling in both academics and CCA. CCA performance is also considered for admission into post secondary education. This will encourage students to be more participative in their CCAs and learn how to strike a balance between studies and CCA.

However, the workload in secondary school curriculum is heavier as compared to primary school and students sometimes find it difficult to cope. This is especially so with long school hours and CCA after lessons, leaving students with not much time to complete assignments and have ample rest. Students take 6 to 10 subjects, depending on their school and subject combination offered. On weekends, students have to squeeze in time for project meetings amidst their usual schedule of tuition, dance, piano or other classes. I really wonder if secondary school students have enough rest before going through another long day in school.

At the end of a 4 year-Express course or 5 year-Normal course, secondary school students sit for the Cambridge O level Examinations. Based on the number of points they get for their L1R5 or L1R4, students either go on to JC, Polytechnic, Centralised Institute or the Institute of Technical Education. After which, they either get an A level certificate or a Diploma. Students may choose to go on to get a University Degree or start working.

What we see is allocation of place into an education institute based on results more often than not. Only a minority gets admitted into a school based on non-academic criteria. There is an over emphasis on getting good results throughout our education years. Countless of students would rather give CCA a miss as they see it as less important than their academic. How far can academic knowledge bring you? When one reaches society, it is the ‘soft skills’ that would matter more. How we interact with people, how we work with people, how we compromise and reach a common understanding etc.

For many students in Singapore, their education years are filled with endless tuition classes, doing homework until the wee hours, mugging for tests and examinations or even dozing off in class due to lack of sleep. I feel that the education system in Singapore creates a stressful life for its students. The expectation to excel in every subject and area not only increase competition among peers, but also the amount of stress a student would have to handle.

I hope parents would not place too much expectation on their child to the extent that getting a certificate becomes their purpose of education.

Link: MOE website

Bullies in school

Bullying in schools

In the past, whenever I see someone getting bullied or teased at, the first thing that hits me is that he or she might have done something wrong. Because I never had problems like that in my primary/secondary school days and I studied at one of the top worst secondary schools. I might not have been one of the good girls in school with straight As but neither am I a hooligan.  However I get my way through school days effortlessly, reasons? First, I avoid. Second, I know how to apologise. Third I never let myself cross their paths.

Now linking the situation back to the topic, I am thinking since we cannot stop bullying, why not preventing it from happening? Yes, of course there might still be some immature kids in school that will bully you no matter how hard you try to hide, but how about learning first, how to avoid those who won’t bully when you don’t annoy them? First, know what kind of bully you are dealing with; bullies that taunt are easier to deal with than bullies who abuse physically and without hesitation. Next, try to avoid them in school. Don't go anywhere near them, but don't show that you are dodging them. They will usually read hiding away as fear, and they will bully you more as a result. Last point to note, you cannot talk sense to an irrational person, just walk away.

Now, youngsters tease for a number of different reasons. It may be to get attention, bullying is a good way of getting negative attention, and, unluckily, for many bullies, negative attention is better than no attention. It could also be peer recognition, for cases like this the need to feel that they belong is strong, it is not unusual to see teenager teasing just because they see it as being a "cool" thing to do and it may help them feel part of a group. Lastly, it may also be the influence of media, youngster are commonly exposed to put-downs, mockery, and a lack of respect in many of the television programs and therefore their actions.

Many may not know what bullying and cause, be it long term or short term. The experience of being bullied can end up causing permanent destruction to victims. It is not necessary to be physically harmed in order to suffer lasting harm. Words and gestures are quite enough. The main wound that bullying victims suffer is damage to their self-concepts; to their personalities. Bullying is an attempt to instil fear and self-loathing. Being the repetitive target of bullying damages the ability to view oneself as a necessary, capable and effective individual. More likely that one will become increasingly vulnerable and depressed or angry or bitter. In short term one may have dangerous suicidal thoughts and feelings or depression.

Youngsters need to learn about the danger and outcomes of bullying. Parents also need to help their children deal with the rebellious state in their life. With all the love and help from their family or any one close, I believe bullying will stop someday.

Impact of Pop Music on Teens

Impact of Pop Music on Teens

“You better run run run run run…”
This is part of the lyrics from ‘Run Devil Run’ by popular Korean girl group- Girls’ Generation or So Nyuh Shi Dae (SNSD).

Korean pop, or Kpop, part of the Korean wave that has hit all over Asia, is getting highly popular with teens nowadays. From soothing love songs performed with powerful vocals or catchy dance songs with perfectly synchronised moves to match, Kpop has garnered many fans in the region. Even in shops, sometimes you do not hear English or Chinese pop songs being played. Instead, you hear the latest Kpop songs coming from the speakers. Among my friends, there are guys learning dance moves from SNSD, Super Junior, SHINee, 2NE1 or SS501 songs or I would hear some of them singing random lyrics from Kpop songs as well.

Many Korean artistes had undergone plastic surgery and were criticised as ‘plastic/fake’, but good looks are undeniably something that people pay attention to. However, I believe that what makes fans loyal is the effort that these artistes put into their performances. If not, why does Kpop still attract so many fans although we do not understand their language? Music is a universal language. Music is the language that connects people from all around the world. I know of friends who take up Korean language classes so as to understand what the lyrics are saying.

It is common to see teens going around with earphones over their ears, listening to pop music of course. Teens like to listen to music from different genres, depending on their mood. Music can also change the mood of the person listening to it. When we follow the lyrics or the tune, the images that the songs depict are conjured in our minds. We can be influenced by the mood of the songs and when we relate to the songs, it stirs our emotions as well. When emotionally unstable, one can play some soothing music to calm their minds and emotions. Many teenagers turn to music as a way to relieve the stress that they faced.

Pop music has many different impacts on teens. Teens might go and learn a new language just to understand the lyrics. They may spend hours learning and practising dance moves. It can also bring teenagers from all across the world with similar likings in pop music together not only bonding them together as loyal fans but also as friends sharing their thoughts and feelings with everything regarding their idols. Teens have also turned to music as a way to relax.

Next on the playlist: Snowy Wish - SNSD

Recent Natural Disasters

Recent Natural Disasters

7.7-magnitude earthquake strikes Indonesia and triggered tsunami

On 25 October 2010, 9:42 PM local time, a magnitude 7.7 earthquake occurred off the western coast of Sumatra, Indonesia. It was felt by many across the provinces of Bengkulu and West Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that struck the Mentawai Islands. 10 villages on the islands were swept away by the tsunami which reached a height of 3m (9ft,) destroying houses and buildings, taken the lives of over 100 people and leaving many more missing. Early warning systems were installed following the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami which occurred along the same fault. According to officials, even though one of the sensors failed but it did not harmed the system’s operation. However, the epicenter of the earthquake was so close to the islands that a warning would probably be too late in any case to effectively evacuate villagers to safer grounds.

Whenever I read about natural disasters that hit countries around the world, I feel blessed to be living in Singapore where natural disasters rarely occur. In 2004, the massive earthquake and tsunami hit 14 countries in Asia, including neighbouring countries Malaysia and India, but Singapore was totally unaffected.

I was struck by the physical damage and emotional trauma that natural disasters, like earthquakes and tsunami, brought about. Many were left without a roof over their heads but besides that, countless families were broken by these natural disasters that killed many who could not escape from the clutches of death. The feeling of losing a loved one is indescribable. Although one may eventually come to terms with it, but the grief and loss that they go through is not something that everyone can understand and feel unless they really went through the same ordeal. For those missing victims’ families, it would feel like an endless wait for their family members to return home. With each passing day, the hope that missing victims could be found diminishes a little, until eventually searching work stops and the families could only pray that they survived and return home soon.

We do not experience earthquakes, volcano eruptions, drought, blizzards, hailstorm, sand storms, hurricanes or other natural disasters, due to our geographical location. Many of us would not realise how blessed we are, until we read about the natural disasters around the world. I hope that when people read about natural disasters that struck, they would be reminded of how fortunate they are to be living in Singapore.

link: BBC article on Sumatra earthquake and tsunami

Bullying in schools

Bullying in schools

I came from one of those top girls’ schools in Singapore but I had witnessed bullying in school. Every year, almost every class has an outcast. Sometimes it is a few girls. I have friends that had been bullied, and friends who once bullied people. For those that were bullied, they were targeted because of their looks, they had few friends, and/or they do not report the matter to an adult when bullied. Those that bullied people, sometimes they just do it for entertainment, to get attention, or to show that they can get away with doing what they want.

When I was in primary six, 3 of my classmates would constantly bully this other girl in class. It started with kicking the girl’s chair because the 3 girls were sitting in the row behind the girl being bullied. After some time they started calling names, pulling her uniform and hair, and pushing her on to the floor. The girls got bolder each time they bullied that girl. There were times when they tore her worksheets and notebooks, poured water on to them or throw it into the dustbin. They also poured water on the girl’s school bag and on the girl as well. Other classmates did not stop the girls as they were afraid of being targeted. Sometimes I would shout that a teacher was coming down the corridor so as to scare the bullies and stop them from continuing. When a teacher enters the classroom, the 3 girls would pretend that nothing happened and return to their seats. I think the matter was eventually reported and the bullying stopped but imagine the emotional trauma that the girl being bullied went through.

If you have no way of avoiding the bullies that bully you every day, how would you feel? When we go to school, we go there to be taught the right values, gain knowledge and make friends. However, for those who are constantly bullied, they go to school in fear, unsure of what would the bullies do to them each day.

In some cases, those being bullied become a bully themselves. They bully others to release the emotional baggage in them. However, it is not the right way to handle it as it will only be a vicious cycle that continues. Bullying must be stopped. When bullying happens and nobody stops them, the bullies would only be encouraged. Bullying gives them a ‘sense of achievement’. I would not consider or accept such behaviour as an achievement. It should not be at the expense of someone.

For any cases of bullying in school including extortions, forcing victims to run errands, do homework etc, the worse thing to do is keep quiet. The bullies would only take advantage of your weakness. Not only that, they might start bullying more and more people. By telling someone about the situation, further cases of bullying can be prevented and the bullies can be counselled. It is important to understand the reasons behind bullying because sometimes, they just want to get attention. Everyone has their own troubles and sometimes all they need is a listening ear or someone who understands what they are going through and help them.

It is possible to prevent yourself from being bullied, but how many would help those that are bullied and put an end to bullying? I hope people would be less self-centred and lend a helping hand to those in need.

Animal Abuse

Animal Abuse:

The above is a picture of an animal after it was skinned alive.

After watching the video of animals being skinned alive at a fur farm in China, I was absolutely disturbed and disgusted by the inhumane acts of the workers.

In the video, animals were slammed against the ground, sometimes repeatedly, to weaken their power of self-defense. The workers would proceed to skin the animal even though it was still alive. They even stomp on the necks and heads of animals who struggled too hard to allow a clean cut. The workers have no conscience or they would not carry out such brutal acts on another living thing. After the workers had ripped off the fur from the animals, the bloody bodies are thrown onto a pile on top of other animals skinned before them. Some of these animals are still alive, their hearts still beating five to ten minutes after they are skinned, and their breaths are ragged gasps as they lay waiting for death to take away their pain and suffering.

Such acts of cruelty should not be condoned, yet there are no penalties for abusing animals on fur farms in China. The farmers can house and slaughter animals in any way they want. These animals are not given any form of care and kept in outdoor wire cages and left in the rain, sun and cold, freezing nights with no shelter over their heads. Compared to our pets that are showered with love and treated like a part of our family, foxes, minks, rabbits and other animals from these farms are practically living in hell.

Fur products are sold worldwide and globalization has made it impossible to trace the exact source of the fur. If it is true that ‘China supplies more than half of the finished fur garments imported for sale in the Unites States’, it is also likely that some of those fur came from one of the many unregulated fur farms in China. Imagine the number of animals skinned just to supply the number of fur products sold worldwide. The only way to prevent such abuse from continuing is to stop purchasing fur products. Just imagine if the one being skinned is your beloved pet.

Article on Chinese Fur Farms

Animal Abuse

Article: Cruel youngster abuse dog, killed it and post on Facebook.

This animal cruelty case tells about how a young Chinese guy used a plastic bottle to suffocate the poor dog and post the whole process through video on Facebook. Throughout the entire ordeal, the dog was restrained to a pole by its feet.

After reading this articles and other animal abuse cases I wonder, why is there such an increase of animal cruelty cases? Are human beings losing their mortality and compassion for the weaker and more vulnerable living things that are sharing this world? The youth in the video appeared to be thoroughly enjoying what he was doing, showing his grinning face intermittently in the film. It turns my heart cold to read something like this. Basically because it is proof that there are people who can treat a life, even if it is simply a dog's, so casually. Animal violence indicates a deep character flaw in the culprit and ought to be taken very seriously because studies show that such indifference for life will definitely cost the culprit much more in life.

However, from what I read of the animal abuse cases in Singapore, the most we did is to fine the offenders and give them a mere 2 weeks Jail sentence. Don’t society realise punishment of forking out money and spending 2 weeks in jail is not effective and will never be? Just look at the standard answers AVA gives; do they ever pause to think that the effort put in to stopping animal abuse is not sufficient? I think it is completely inadequate and only goes to show how lightly animal abusers escape from their crimes. Besides stricter sentences, animal abusers should go through counselling and empathy training and maybe even do communal service with the SPCA.

From what I see, We Singapore doesn't take adequate caution to animals or animal rights, just because it's not of economic worth. I would really appreciate it if they could amend that carelessness towards animals abuse cases.