tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post4887019235092800185..comments2024-03-19T18:44:15.041+08:00Comments on Little Stories: Your Education And Other Miscellaneous RegretsGilbert Koh aka Mr Wanghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01027678080233274309noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-77850206200569931032008-08-02T20:20:00.000+08:002008-08-02T20:20:00.000+08:00mig29 said:"If you made that comment, you basicall...mig29 said:<BR/>"If you made that comment, you basically didn't learn science or math."<BR/><BR/>I agree! And the vast majority of people who studied science in Singapore didn't learn science. Too many see science as just a vast body of facts - that's just boring. <BR/><BR/>But it won't be possible to change the way science is taught unless content is reduced and less emphasis is placed on examination grades. <BR/><BR/>Too often, teachers don't have time to deal with the interesting 'why' questions - it's less time consuming to ask students just to accept it for now. Such students also tend to get osctracized by the majority who just want to learn just enough to get their A. <BR/><BR/>So.. Science is interesting - I've seen an entire class of sec 1 normal acad students get inspired by it. But unfortunately there often isn't enough time to teach it in an interesting manner.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-90914629430298231172008-08-02T16:17:00.000+08:002008-08-02T16:17:00.000+08:00I have alot of sympathy for you August 1, 2008 2:2...I have alot of sympathy for you August 1, 2008 2:23 PMAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-23595279968743977482008-08-02T10:02:00.000+08:002008-08-02T10:02:00.000+08:00Mig 29 Aug 2 4:17 am makes good points. Look at re...Mig 29 Aug 2 4:17 am makes good points. Look at research as a career, yes a career and not a passion or committment. I was talking with a friend the other day and he mused, "We have Speak Good English/Speak Chinese campaigns every year. Presumably Yet despite the huge amounts of money we pour into our universities and ministries have you heard of an English Department, say at NUS, commenting on this presumably serious concern. Why is there this silence? Is it as Gore says, an inconvenient truth." We are told that it is all right to rebut and to speak up without fear because this is necessary for a research culture ( so that we can, ahem, make money from the spin offs). But Singapore is such an unforgiving society. Screw up or just let the authorities feel that a person has screwed up and the punishment is disproportionate and heavy. Once upon a time an old friend who has since died and who was a senior civil servabt was tasked with heavy responsibilities. He was asked, "What do you want? How can we support you? What resources do you need?" He replied, "Just give me three mistakes. And I will devliver. Not big ones because I would remove myself, but just three mistakes." That was the calibre of the founding generation. So at the end of the day a good career needs a more forgiving, less political context. Funny isn't it, that's why we immigrate because at the end life needs to be more forgiving too. Mr Wang has brought out an important point for discussion and thought: after all, how many years of our lives do we spend working and on a career? It is not just regrets but unforgivable to oneself and family (and society) to make the wrong choicesif ypu have the opportunity to choose.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-47736496310663955442008-08-02T04:49:00.000+08:002008-08-02T04:49:00.000+08:00The Sg Culture that does not encourage or facilita...The Sg Culture that does not encourage or facilitate 'appropriate' human development or seek to optimize human capabilities n potentials.Even if it does,it still need to do better :(Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-58702833505052179612008-08-02T04:17:00.000+08:002008-08-02T04:17:00.000+08:00mr wang, mr wang!! someone has solved the problem ...mr wang, mr wang!! someone has solved the problem of a shortage of babies!!!<BR/><BR/>""Another way [to increase the population] is to attract more foreign women who are qualified and who share similar cultural and social background to come to Singapore and allow them to marry the locals. Offer them permanent residence status and citizenship if they can produce two or more children."<BR/><BR/>for full article, please refer to (with Molly's commentary, and no, it's not molly's suggestion):<BR/><BR/>mollymeek.livejournal.com/139279.htmlAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-16798899157018937932008-08-02T01:35:00.000+08:002008-08-02T01:35:00.000+08:00Kaffein wrote:"So now with her PhD, she will ...Kaffein wrote:<BR/>"So now with her PhD, she will be promoted and become some dean, or HOD, etc.<BR/><BR/>That's basically Science for most Singaporeans. A means to an end."<BR/><BR/>Yes that is extremely unfortunate Kaffein. That is why I believe if you want to do something worth your time, you really should get out of Singapore. To me, there isn't an real R&D or engineering done in Singapore. It's mainly just grunt work that is easily outsourced to other countries.<BR/>My personal view is that Singapore is the place for you if you just want to live an uneventful, some might even say mediocre life. It's also a great place to make a lot of money if you know the right people and have the right connections. However, if you're looking to do something you are passionate and truly believe in, you've come to the wrong country. BTW, I have never believed in working just for money. Some people in Singapore I know make a ton of money. However, they also hate their jobs. What they need to realise is that all that money isn't going to amount to anything if they are not happy with their lives. Think about it: you slave most of your life away to make a ton of cash. You claim that all that money will give you "a great retirement". However, when the time does come, you have maybe at most 10-20 years left to enjoy it? By that time, your personal health and body will already be weakening(the job would have taken a toll on it) and in a couple more years, you'll be dead. That is the sad but unfortunate truth of such people.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-69014032419636085522008-08-01T20:23:00.000+08:002008-08-01T20:23:00.000+08:00We attend school for education. But in the end, ar...We attend school for education. But in the end, are we educated?<BR/><BR/>I pity our children. After 13 or more years of education in singapore school, they become more robotic than being educated.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-17575858301961650102008-08-01T19:53:00.000+08:002008-08-01T19:53:00.000+08:00I agree with Mr Wang when he says that we easily d...I agree with Mr Wang when he says that we easily discover what we are bad at, but it is harder to discern what we are really good at, until later in life. <BR/><BR/>Taking this further, I would say that it is easier to tell what you do not enjoy, than what you truly feel passionate about. All those years in a SG education system, coupled with my parents' insistence that I should put off all other interests until I did better in Chinese (my archilles heel) has meant that I've never really discovered what I enjoy.<BR/><BR/><BR/>I also found that being good at something doesn't mean that you enjoy doing that something. And vice versa. I think that's one of the reasons students regret their choice of course of study. They may naturally have certain skills but don't really enjoy using them. The SG education system channels you into courses which you are good at. SG society expects you to enter a field in which you will excel.<BR/><BR/>But what if we are more interested in doing things we are not so good at? From a pragmatic point of view, because we are not so good at those things, we probably would not be able to make a living doing those things. So why bother to find out?<BR/><BR/>Because from an existential point of view, hanging all your self-worth and personal fulfillment on the fact that you are very good at your job is too depressing to contemplate. What is it you are living for (besides family, friends, religion)? These things seem suspiciously like palliatives to soothe ourselves with when confronted with the knowledge that we can't change jobs or do something else because we don't even know what it is that we would rather do or enjoy doing!<BR/><BR/>IsraphaleAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-69354759790619335372008-08-01T19:46:00.000+08:002008-08-01T19:46:00.000+08:00Life consists of choices made by us, inadvertently...Life consists of choices made by us, inadvertently or not.<BR/><BR/>What is past cannot be revisited and undone. Rather, we can still make choices to move on and forward in life.<BR/><BR/>I learned of the 5 Fs: Faith, Family, Finance, Fun and Friends. A balanced life has all 6. Faith in what or who you believe in (I wish to just generalise). Family as in your loved ones around you. Finance in the middle of all 5 Fs not because we are materialistic but we live in a material world. Even falling sick requires financial support. Helping others can often also be financial other than the important time and attention proffered. Fun is about loving yourself enough to take care of yourself. Friends are to remind you of close ones that you are more than in touch with for the most of life to make life more complete.<BR/><BR/>Make the necessary choices and work towards some form of independence, portability and mobility that could be sustained in the years to come after organizational life i.e. active aging. These will involve overcoming short term challenges for long term good. Our days are numbered anyway.<BR/><BR/>Cheers.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-31357991293380482122008-08-01T19:27:00.000+08:002008-08-01T19:27:00.000+08:00Altruism and fair play is dwindling in S'pore.Ther...Altruism and fair play is dwindling in S'pore.There is no free service where ministers are concern. Every second of their time is money.Gatherings of like minded persons is considered illegal gathering.Lowly educated people are advised to stay single because the children they produced are a liability to the nation.We are an elitist society where winners are elites.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-57183231709088171502008-08-01T15:53:00.000+08:002008-08-01T15:53:00.000+08:00To the successful single woman. Do not lament. Lov...To the successful single woman. Do not lament. Love can come from the most unlikely places. Be brave, have a open mind and it will come.<BR/><BR/>Be warned though that love (and family) is not something magical. It is not a prize or destination but the start of a hopefully long journey and takes a lot of hard work. But it will be worth it.<BR/><BR/>NoNameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-56216121932277822222008-08-01T15:34:00.000+08:002008-08-01T15:34:00.000+08:00It is not regrets. It is a tragedy. That something...It is not regrets. It is a tragedy. That something as noble as education has become a weapon and a leash. That minds and potential of millions should be neutered and sacrificed so that a few can stay in power easily. That it has been repeated again and again in chinese history and we still do not learn.<BR/><BR/>PS: Our PM was really a brilliant mathematician who could have made significant contributions to mankind but instead chose to take over the family business. I pity him. He could have been revered. But now he will leave this world as naked as he came into this world. He will be forgotten except by those who curse him.<BR/><BR/>NoNameAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-83858944931911194302008-08-01T15:00:00.000+08:002008-08-01T15:00:00.000+08:00This is my first time visiting your website and I ...This is my first time visiting your website and I think it is well done! I also have a blog on Singapore’s life and I believe I have lots of learn from your website!Singapore Short Storieshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15590454896000992539noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-42612463596172737032008-08-01T14:23:00.000+08:002008-08-01T14:23:00.000+08:00I consider myself as someone who earns maybe 6 tim...I consider myself as someone who earns maybe 6 times what a typical male professional Singaporean brings home. <BR/><BR/>I am not exactly a spring chicken, but I do my best to keep gravity and time from ravaging me any further. <BR/><BR/>I agree with this article, most of it, priorities do take hold and as soon as one knows it tracks are laid and one's feet has turned into wheels.<BR/><BR/>However, I do lament. The problem with not being able to successfully find a soulmate and settling down to have babies is not due to pickiness as much as a general lack out there in the market.<BR/><BR/>All the really boring men have their noses to the mill and it shows when one talks to them. They have no personality, but I agree they are very dependable, reliable and probably good for me.<BR/><BR/>The ones who are really desirable, interesting and charismatic are usually obnoxious, rude and full of themselves like Darkness. The famous petulant cry baby of the internet. They are no good, unreliable and like made in Taiwan toys they seem to work well only to fall silent for no reason.<BR/><BR/>There you have it the long and may I say the short of the Singapore Misc part who did not write about.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-87717528492098446102008-08-01T11:52:00.000+08:002008-08-01T11:52:00.000+08:00Mig29 wrote:kaffein said:"Because science you can ...Mig29 wrote:<BR/>kaffein said:<BR/>"Because science you can study, regurgitate back and you can excel with flying colours, mind you. You don’t really need to think too deep and wide as long as you apply those formulas."<BR/><BR/>If you made that comment, you basically didn't learn science or math. That I think is the fundamental problem with "science/math" education in Singapore. There is way more critical and creative thinking in science than you stated in your statement. <BR/>---<BR/><BR/>Yes I come from a Singapore education system where one regurgitates back unto the exam paper.<BR/><BR/>No, maths and science is not boring. I love science and still do. My point is the way how the education system determines one's academic quality is mainly results.<BR/><BR/>I know of someone who became a Professor because she was on scholarship, worked on a couple of projects on stemcells research for a 3 years, got her thesis and PhD. So that means she is a professor?<BR/><BR/>I was like huh? Is that really how Singapore view it? Was she academically inclined? Yes. Brilliant. I think not. Well-versed in her knowledge space? Definitely no.<BR/><BR/>So now with her PhD, she will be promoted and become some dean, or HOD, etc.<BR/><BR/>That's basically Science for most Singaporeans. A means to an end.<BR/><BR/>Cheers,<BR/>KaffeinAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-29747246990203266862008-08-01T10:39:00.000+08:002008-08-01T10:39:00.000+08:00Hi Mr Wang. If I may beg your indulgence for this ...Hi Mr Wang. If I may beg your indulgence for this somewhat lengthy and rambling comment.<BR/><BR/>I had a staff member which the organization inherited when the government decided to mereg two organizations together. One organization was chosen to be the lead organization and staffed with all manner of highly trained personnel from overseas and local institutions. The poor staff member was very much demonized (I do not use this word lightly because he was) as a dinosaur that needed to be put out to pasture as soon as possible Yet for the salary he was getting no one would one to do his job (yes, all the clever people knew about ministers' salaries and set their expectations accordingly). Yet, over the years I managed to give him a career of his job. He repaid the organization not just by doing his job well but doublding up on many other tasks that came his way, as was inevitable in any organization that involved technical work. I remember the many hours of extra work he put in, some of which demanded he stay back hours beyond normal office hours. I told him I could not pay him because the organization would not approve of it but would accompany him and pay for his dinner. He is now retired. Hid job id now divided into many out-sourced perfromances all of which mean hefty increases in expenditure. Is it more efficient? I do not know. But education is more than qualifications, it should also mean training in how to live life, to conduct oneself before the world. What is the use of avowing respect to Confucius if there is no ren and no yi? Career is above all, about people. People make successes of jobs and you can't just pay them and expect divide-ends. <BR/><BR/>On a final note: what do we remember most of our education. The asides or is the knowledge that we cram in?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-40120466518823956202008-08-01T10:32:00.000+08:002008-08-01T10:32:00.000+08:00George says:To James, yes like Owell's 1984, only ...George says:<BR/>To James, yes like Owell's 1984, only darker, craftier, and more selfish.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-27011252993769355522008-08-01T09:43:00.000+08:002008-08-01T09:43:00.000+08:00Perhaps the main reason why most people hate their...Perhaps the main reason why most people hate their jobs is because they don't have anything to work for or towards.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-44593145954800583082008-08-01T08:47:00.000+08:002008-08-01T08:47:00.000+08:00I chose engineering back in the late 90s, because ...I chose engineering back in the late 90s, because my dad suffered a stroke when I was 15, and the government had played up the strength of engineering so much in the late 90s, that I naively thought it was the best one for employment purposes.<BR/><BR/>After I finished my national service, I actually wanted to pursue medicine. But because I had not taken Biology in my A levels, I could not apply to medicine in NUS. In the end I took up a scholarship to go abroad for an engineering education.<BR/><BR/>The 2 anecdotes highlight the problems I see with our education system (and of society in general). One, the government likes to plan, maybe too much. It paints incredible pictures of grandeur and excitement over careers, which should really be a personal matter! But students are naive, and expectedly so. Such propaganda only serves to reinforce their propensity to do things which are not their true passion. Many of my friends all went to read engineering in college, taken in by government propaganda. <BR/><BR/>The second thing, is this complete lack of forgiveness and latitude for change. You were expected to have decided on your career choice at the age of 17 effectively, as because if one did not take biology at the A levels, one would effectively be ineligible for medicine in NUS. Of course things have changed, but its still a system that forces people to choose at such an early age! Science or non science stream. Poly or University etc. High school academic knowledge is so non consequential where effective on the job knowledge is concerned, I do not see why the choice of the subjects taken at 17 and 18, should be of such importance as to decide the eligibility of students to choose their majors in University! <BR/><BR/>The education system in Singapore is but a microcosm of the problems I see in Singapore society: prescriptive, inflexible and unforgiving.ILMAhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03862779921501673375noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-36430737600450685572008-08-01T05:07:00.000+08:002008-08-01T05:07:00.000+08:00I'm happy with what I work for a living, so I'm on...I'm happy with what I work for a living, so I'm one of the very lucky few. I recall people telling me that the chances of me doing what I do now is too small to even contemplate. But I persisted despite losing some battles here and there, and won the war.<BR/><BR/>But it ain't easy and I can totally understand why people made the decision to go with the flow and forego interest in their work. It's not just the money but also the people around you giving you strange or skeptical looks.<BR/><BR/>However, for that one chance in a million that you can do what you like for a living, I'd still say: <BR/><BR/>Go for it, young man/woman.<BR/><BR/>You only get to live once.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-22042494425540863432008-08-01T02:58:00.000+08:002008-08-01T02:58:00.000+08:00Sometimes, students end up reading a course they d...Sometimes, students end up reading a course they dislike not because they want to, but because they have no choice. A student may wish to follow his heart to study a particular course in polytechnic/university/any other tertiary institution. However, he may be prevented from doing so due to the following reasons:<BR/><BR/>1) Less than stellar results – Most courses in tertiary institutions require a certain cut-off point. Students who are unable to meet the cut-off for their preferred course have no choice but to settle for another course which they probably won’t enjoy as much or even at all. <BR/><BR/>2) Financial ability – Assuming that the grades or interview performance of the student are not good enough to get him into his course of preference in a local tertiary institution, but are sufficient to earn him a place in the same course at an overseas educational institution. This is a course that he has always dreamt of studying, a course that will lead him to his lifelong ambition. Yet, because his family isn’t wealthy enough to support the expensive overseas tuition fees, he has to give his dream up and study something else which he has no interest in. Thus leading to a career which he will ultimately be unhappy with.<BR/><BR/>3) Parents’ opinions – Very often, parents like to impose their opinions on their kids. They think they know better what is good for the child. Hence, a student’s decision on his course of study can be subjected to parental approval. For example, a student may wish to read Course A because he is really passionate about the subject. But because Course A does not have job prospects which are as bright as Course B’s, his parents disapprove of it. Defying his parents’ wishes and staying adamant on his choice will probably lead to many arguments and much unhappiness in the family. As a result, the student ends up studying Course B – something which his parents want, but not him.<BR/><BR/>Of course, the reason why point 3) can occur is probably due to the pragmatic culture in SG which you, Mr Wang, had written about in your entry. There is really a need to change such mindsets. <BR/><BR/>As for Points 1) and 2), I wonder if there are more ways in which we can enable these students to achieve their dreams?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-67977706798449009362008-08-01T01:06:00.000+08:002008-08-01T01:06:00.000+08:00kaffein said:"Because science you can study, regur...kaffein said:<BR/>"Because science you can study, regurgitate back and you can excel with flying colours, mind you. You don’t really need to think too deep and wide as long as you apply those formulas."<BR/><BR/>If you made that comment, you basically didn't learn science or math. That I think is the fundamental problem with "science/math" education in Singapore. There is way more critical and creative thinking in science than you stated in your statement. Pick up a book by Richard Feynman to understand what I mean.<BR/>This is again the reason why people hate being engineers or doing technical work in Singapore. It's mainly entry-level stuff that is easily outsourced. The really cool and interesting stuff involves developing new products, cutting edge research, changing the world etc. None of which exist in Singapore. I've been overseas and working for a while now and I have to say life as a software engineer in the bay area(aka silicon valley) is one of the most exciting jobs out there. The problems we get to tackle and solve are basically on the cutting edge of science/engineering right now. I look forward to everyday of my working life and I am actually surprised that I get to do what I do and get paid for it! It *truly is* that exhilarating.<BR/>So please don't put down the profession of science /engineering. It just wasn't taught correctly in Singapore but it's definitely not the case in other parts of the globe.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-12201455328437337432008-08-01T01:00:00.000+08:002008-08-01T01:00:00.000+08:00I find this situation very common with the encount...I find this situation very common with the encounters i meet daily: they do not know what they are doing with their lives, they are just being part of the game set out for them and they have no opinion over it. <BR/><BR/>Frankly, i attribute it to the unquestioning nature that our education system has. Students are encouraged to follow by the book and not ask why. By keeping them in line with moe guidelines, they are compartmentalized in occupations deemed suitable for them, depending on their grades (and not so much on their genuine interests). <BR/><BR/>The hectic school timetable and tuition classes an average student faces each day gives him little opportunity to explore other talents that lies in non-academic region. By not being able to explore different sides of their personalities, they might never discover that they truly want in life. <BR/><BR/>Hence, most of them are uninterested in what they are pursuing...in fact they hate it and yet can't get out of it if not there is no means of other survival. <BR/><BR/>My partner is a talented photographer, yet he has been kept in disillusion for his whole life by his parents who want him to be an engineer for better career prospects. <BR/><BR/>After finally realizing that photography were his interest and talents lies, he decided to take the plunge and quit his job once and for all. <BR/><BR/>Not many people take the risk, they prefer to be in denial... to survive.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-36015796578487402552008-08-01T00:44:00.000+08:002008-08-01T00:44:00.000+08:00Not sure if anyone would agree here - regardless o...Not sure if anyone would agree here - regardless of any educational system, if a kid is inculcated with the proper fundamentals and foundations, he/she would be able to thrive in any environment. Point here is that any education system in the world would have its drawbacks and advantages, there is always a trade-off. It is important to first understand oneself and find how to adapt to the environment instead of trying to change it.Eaststopperhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16903639886157996151noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4405345292513335071.post-49658552052968673962008-07-31T23:29:00.000+08:002008-07-31T23:29:00.000+08:00In this day and age, when nobody can predict the m...In this day and age, when nobody can predict the massive upheavals lying just one or two years ahead, the government should just give up trying to manage the education of the workforce. Leave it to the supply and demand of the students instead of strongly encouraging students from one dead end career like engineering to another like biomedical sciences, computer animation and what nots.<BR/><BR/>Every time I see a poster trying to promote how "cool" it is to work in "Infocomm" or engineering, I cringe. <BR/><BR/>It is a lie.<BR/><BR/>The jobs are boring. The courses are boring. Unless you are naturally a geek. The government scholars are naive to think that if they can deceive the students into the courses, they will actually stick with it till retirement. <BR/><BR/>I speak with experience as a former polytechnic lecturer in IT. I had trouble finding any of my students who wants to stay in the IT line, even the top students. At the tender age of 19, they already feel they made a terrible mistake in their life.<BR/><BR/>Anyway, after years of deceiving students into the "hot specialities" like engineering, IT or biomedical sciences, spectacular attrition rate means that the demands of the industries are filled by foreign "talents". I am not fan of the foreign "talent" scheme, but if we have to put up with an influx of foreign labour, it will be nice if Singaporeans can be cut some slack and enjoy some degree of freedom in not being deceived into tertiary courses that are nothing like what is advertised.Jimmy Munhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04927345822970412901noreply@blogger.com