TR EMERITUS

By Amanda Lian

Education Policy Proposals

The seminar organised by the Reform Party was being held at the Berkshire School’s lecture room on the second level of Shaw Towers on the 23 January 2010, Saturday, 1.30pm. Temasek Review attended the seminar and listened in on the various policy proposals being brought up and compiled it in this article to allow our readers to be updated with the latest news and information, plus what was being discussed by the individuals who attended. Starting the seminar was the Secretary-General of the Reform Party, Mr. Kenneth Jeyaretnam. Other speakers at the seminar included the Reform Party CEC (Central Executive Committee) members, Mr. Tony Tan and Mr. Justin Ong, a member of the Reform Party, Mdm. Hazel Poa, an external speaker, Dr. James Gomez and two special speakers, Mr. Peter Li and Mr. Jason Soh.

While at the second level, upon reaching the premises of the school, there were several people seen buying items of the Reform Party which included t-shirts, badges, newsletters and books. At 1.30pm sharp, we were ushered into the lecture room and seated. When the seminar began, Mr. Kenneth Jeyaretnam embarked on the discussion of the key issues which are education hours versus GDP, real income of graduates and productivity in comparison to education investment.

The seminar quickly progressed with the next speaker, Mr. Tony Tan, who shared his personal experiences during his education days when he was younger and how it had changed and affected him in real life. Ending his part, he said that while he was on one of the Jurong walkabouts, a bean sprout and bean curd seller said to him, “students nowadays have no heart…”

Following closely was a speech by the external speaker, Dr. James Gomez, who is currently also a Head of Department for Monash University, Australia and was a former CEC member of the Workers Party and a General Election 2006 candidate. He touched upon issues like education in Singapore and also education overseas, the differences and how it will affect the next generation.

CEC member of the Reform Party and Head of the Youth Wing, Mr. Justin Ong provided his opinions on the education system and also, related his experience when he found out how many foreign students were in the top places in University and on government scholarships. He also recalled that most Singaporean scholars preferred to head overseas for education instead.

Following which, questions were opened to the floor. Several pressing questions were asked during this session including “would the Reform Party do an independent research themselves?” and “would there be any form of aid by the Reform Party?” The reply for the latter question was that the JBJ scholarship application was rejected as JBJ was a criminal.

After the question and answer session, Mdm. Hazel Poa continued with the next part of the seminar. She graduated from the University of Cambridge with First-Class honours. She went through various pressing issues like the education system in Singapore and even proposed solutions like a thorough education from Primary 1 to “O” Levels, thus abolishing the need for PSLE. Also, she proposed that more subjects be opened up to the students like Business Studies and Communications and Information Technology. This, as quoted by her, was due to the passion and dreams of different individuals as the core practical subjects learnt in school was held in higher regard than subjects like repairing a car for example. She also said that “if all animals were to go through a standard test and the test was to climb a tree, would the elephant and the fish be able to do it?”

A break ensued and lasted for 10 minutes as they said that most attention span of individuals lasts for 15 minutes.

The seminar then continued with Mr. Tony Tan showing the audience an extract from “Educating our Young”, written by Mr. Tan Kin Lian, covering selfish behaviour.

“They learn to compete against their classmates. To be better, they have to keep some knowledge from others. They learn, at a young age, to be selfish and to take care of themselves. This selfish trait becomes part of their character, which sadly is quite typical of a Singaporean.”

About the issue on children with special needs and children with disabilities, speaker Mr. Peter Li covered the definition, and problems experienced by the mainstream schools and the parents of the children. Certain mainstream schools are currently only available to children with Dyslexia, Autism, physical disabilities, hearing and visual disability. As of 2010, children with Dyslexia are allowed into all mainstream schools as support is available. Only 10% of teachers are trained in special needs support.

Lastly, we have Mr. Jason Soh, who summed up this portion by proposing how Singapore can do more for people with Special Needs. He made comparisons with the United States of America, Singapore and Malaysia.

Members of the audience were given a chance to voice out opinions, suggestions and questions. Mr. Michael commended the Reform Party for bringing up the issue of children with special needs and Mr. Alex Tan provided some suggestions to the education system.

Mr. Kenneth Jeyaretnam ended the seminar with a short speech and Miss Jeanette informed us that on the second and fourth Thursdays of every month, the Reform Party is offering a free legal clinic where legal advice would be given for all cases except criminal and corporate issues. Appointments are preferred.

Temasek Review will leave you to ponder more with a quote from the seminar, “I want all of you to be independent, innovative and critical thinkers by following all that I do and say!”

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