Blog prompt 4

http://www.temasekreview.com/2011/07/12/an-open-letter-to-the-education-minister-from-a-secondary-4-student/

This is an open letter to the education minister written by a secondary four student who will be taking her sec 4 'O' Level examination this year

You probably have already heard that a Secondary Four student recently wrote a letter to the Education Minister, Mr Heng Swee Keat, which generated much heated debate again about Singapore's much-discussed education system.

1. To what extent do you agree with the issues that the student has raised here? Point out some issues of agreement and possible contention.
   I agree that the education in Singapore is stifling the talent of the students. The students are forced to set other, more important things aside just to see the A1 written in black and white on that report card. They are setting aside the good character instilled in them from young, preferring to isolate themselves in their room, cramming information into their minds, just to see that A1 printed on that report card. Where did this mentality come from? The teachers and parents. Diplomas and degrees are growing increasingly more influential over the years, and many parents and teachers crave success for their children and students. They are, perhaps unwittingly, imposing this thinking that nothing is more important than a good grade and achievements, or certificates. Although they state that nothing is more important than a good character, they fail to rein themselves in as they begin to flare up, rebuking students and children for bad grades. To quote Janelle, who am I to make a generalisation, and to state all teachers and parents are like that? I cannot. However, this mentality is only rampant among students through certain teachers and parents.
   

2. Examine her tone and attitude in this letter. Do you think it’s a well-crafted letter with the appropriate tone?
   
   Her tone suggest that she is reining her anger and frustration in. However, it is a well-crafted letter, with an appropriate tone of respect to the Minister, and also of modesty so as to not impress on to the Minister that she is proud, humbling herself in some places, such as, "Granted, who am I to make a generalisation and say that all teenagers are this way? I know that there are teenagers and youths out there who are truly compassionate, who would truly go out of their way to help, but I have no arguments in my bag of tricks to argue for the stand that this behaviour is taught by Civics and Moral Education lessons in schools."

3. If you should write a letter to Minister of Education, what are some issues you would raise? Remember- your intention is to make the system better for society’s betterment via CONSTRUCTIVE ideas.
   
   I will raise the same issues as Janelle, but I will also raise the issue of the existence of single gender schools. I feel there should not be single gender schools, as single gender schools only serve to distance boys from girls and vice versa. This will seriously impair the ability of these students to communicate in the future, when both genders have to work together. Even now, merely one or two years into the system, the repercussions are already felt. If students from Hwa Chong Institution and Nanyang Girls High, for example, are travelling together on a private bus, a bystander will not help but notice that  the males will gravitate to one half of the bus, while the females to the other. The same applies for group work. In primary school, boys and girls are less afraid to work together, while in single gender secondary schools, when doing group work, members of different genders tend to prefer to interact online instead of face-to-face.

Blog prompt 3

In your opinion, is money important in a relationship? Consider the 'transactional' element observed in the relationships between the couples. Do you think there is an upward trend of relationships and marriages valuing money over other qualities? Provide examples for your responses.

My answer:
Money is not at all important in a relationship. One hears many phrases about the importance of money, such as: money is time, as good as gold, etc. However, one also hears many stories of how money has broken up families, as one party (usually the male), becomes increasingly obsessed with money, eventually ignoring the other party and his loved ones in his pursuit for wealth. After all these, many people are in two minds about money. Most come to the conclusion that money is important, but not in emotional and psychological aspects of life. However, some are unswayed in their perspective that money is all-important and omnipotent. I feel, however, that money is not important in matters of the heart. If one truly loves a person, he or she will try his or her uttermost to be with the person, against all odds. If one is only attached to another when he or she has money, it is not true love, but purely human greed. However, some who are lonely and rich may desire this kind of company, not being able to associate him or herself well with others. However, these relationships are short-lived. After leeching enough money from the rich, these 'friends' will leave him or her to pursue another victim. Therefore, I can conclude that money does not matter in a true relationship.

Blog prompt 2

In your opinion, how has war evolved from the past to the present? Please use examples to justify your opinions.

In my opinion, war has changed progressively from the past to the present, in accordance to the advancements made by technology itself. As the world heads towards a technology based society, the use of society is much more prevalent in our present society. Technology is constantly progressing, to satisfy the bottomless hole that is Man's greed. In certain situations, Man's greed drives them to desire certain things, which they achieve by the simplest way possible, in Man's eyes -- war. In that case, they depend on technology, and use it in the wrong way, to destroy, and to annihilate, just to achieve Man's own selfish needs, not a care for others, just so long as they get what they want.

Even now, technology is advancing more rapidly along the road, which may lead to destruction, or lead in a circle, like Man's insatiable hunger. Technology, other than being used negatively in warfare and destruction, has also been used in the destruction of privacy -- very soon, no one would be able to upload something offensive online without enduring an onslaught of insults, or witnessing a campaign against him, growing ever bigger. These leaking information might be used against others or create conflicts; used to blackmail or threaten; to coerce and to suppress. Wars may even be started over the release of information. One example is the Cuban Missile Crisis. A full scale nuclear war was almost started due to the U.S. finding out about the intermediate range missile installations in Cuba. Luckily, the matter was resolved with no lasting repercussions.

Blog prompt 1

1) Why do you think National Service is important to Singapore?

National Service serves two main purposes: Promotion of harmony and preparation for the time when we have to defend ourselves. Both are equally crucial to the growth of Singapore. Singapore is a small country and harmony is important, for without it, there will be unrest among the people. National Service promotes harmony by putting men of all races through the same process, hence effectively bonding them together. It promotes teamwork and also teaches men to defend our country in times of need.

2) In the above poem, the speaker expresses his love for his country England. Do you have the same spirit for patriotism towards Singapore? Why?

Yes, I have the same spirit for patriotism. Singapore has helped me to become what I am today, and is the country I grew up in, and provided for me.

3) Do you consider yourself a patriot to your country?
I do not consider myself a patriot to my country to the extent of wanting to give up my life for Singapore yet. However, I do consider myself patriotic enough to want to return to the society what it has given to me. Unlike certain others, I do CIP activities with the intention to help, not just for the sake of CIP hours.