looking for soft options

Lawrence Low wrote a letter discussing about the weak students and the strong students sitting for the same national exam in the Today paper. He lamented that these weaker students would only do less well than the good students. So? Should we have a set of lower standard exam papers for weaker students and one for stronger students? That is what his letter is implying. Actually we already have that, the N level. The weaker students are already doing N level. Are we saying that this is not enough, that we should have a NO level for the weaker students doing the O level so that they will appear to do better, like N level students scoring 6 As which are of lower standard than O level? This kind of averageing down to make the weaker students happier but having fictitious grades is definitely a shift towards a soft solution. What is needed is to raise the standard of weaker students, or spot their talents in other fields instead of trying to compete academically when they are not so gifted. They are meant to do well in other fields. Everyone is gifted in their own ways. Lets not force square pegs into round holes.

convincing the people

There are several key issues today that are testing the govt and the people. The minister's pay is not only one of them, but a major one. Then there is the widening income gap which is also related to the minister's pay, the rising cost of living in every area from education to hospitalisation, food and essential services. All from the basic premise that you pay for what you get and all organisations must be profit driven. Then the CPF and all the people's money being locked away against their wishes. The 6.5 million population is also not sitting down well. There have been many explanations, but all mainly top down, shafting down into the throat type. And the people are expected to swallow it, like it or not. All the decisions have been made. It is actually more like telling the people that we are telling you this is what we are going to do. No way are we going to change what we have set out to do. We are the thinkers and knew best what is good for you and what is good for us. And we have explained to us. So let's move on. Now the real test comes. The quality of leadership is not just getting things done but to be able to convince the people to go along with the decisions. Failing to do so will only draw down on the goodwill of past credits and once expended, it will be pay back time. Are our leaders convincing in their arguments on all these critical and sensitive issues? Are the people buying them or just gritting their teeth and seaming with anger inside them? It will show over time.

Pay rise, looking at the big picture

Pay rise, looking at the big picture This pay rise for Ministers is undeniably the hottest topic today. There is no running away from it. Everywhere everyone is talking about it. So there is no point in putting the head in the sand and pretend that nothing seen, nothing heard and nothing is happening. What is important is to discuss it rationally so that everyone gets a fair hearing and a better understanding of the issue. Sue Ann Chia or Chia Sue-Ann said we must look at 'A big picture view of public sector pay.' She mentioned Dr Henri Ghesquiere, an adjunct professor at the LKY School of Public Policy, saying 'It would look high when viewed in isolation.' What Henri is saying is that it is not high if one look at the big picture, ie, Singapore's success as a first world country. 'Consider how Singapore comes out tops in global rankings for effectiveness of govt and efficiency of the court system....Highly remunerated officials are expected to go the extra mile and deliver beyond the call of duty, he added.' This is another way of looking at the issue other than that they will also not be corrupt. What Henri said also pointed to our obsession to be rated number one in everything. Maybe this is one of the yardstick which the govt is using to measure Singapore's success and the contribution of ministers and civil servants. The more number ones, the more deserving for higher pay. The grassroots must be trained to look at the big picture.

NKF trial a shining light for Singapore

NKF trial a shining light for Singapore Singapore is a police state that used draconian methods of interrogation to extract confessions from offenders. This has been the impression published in most unfriendly media on Singapore. But when one listens to the cross examination of Sant Singh on Osman Ahamed, the chief special investigator with the CPIB, it is very clear that the police will have to abide by certain standard of decency. And a person under police custody has all the rights including an interrogation room that must be at least the size of a hotel room, to make him comfortable and not feel coerced. Definitely not the Guantanamo type of standard and practices. According to Sant Singh, David Tan was interrogated in a very small room, about 4m by 4m, there about. And the light was kept on at all times to add to the pressure to "induce" him to give testimony for the prosecution, including being detained overnight in a 2.1m by 2.4 metre room. By virtue of the fact that these are grounds of complains to coerce a person, under police custody, speaks very well of Singapore. Perhaps if the govt can be more generous and build bigger and more comfortable interrogation rooms with cushion sofas, and rooms to hold suspects or possible offenders over night, then it will be just perfect. And no bright lights please. Too glaring on the eyes and intruding into a person's privacy. Provided the taxpayers did not complain about extravagance on the govt's part to provide luxury for possible offenders or violators or the law.

Philip Yeo the real blogger

Philip Yeo the real blogger I was reading the exchange between Philip and Chen Jiahao in the Sunday Times today. Philip in all aspects is a suave and cool blogger, the style and words used, without mincing. That's what a real blogger is. Saying it as it is or in the way it should be said. And he did not pick a safe topic to talk about. He chose the issue of the day and smack right into it like any cool blogger will do. No hiding or shying a way. If Philip just joined the fray because it is cool to do so, or because he wants to be seen to do it, then it will be comical. Imagine Philip posting about his favourite pie and his favourite ang tau tng. Kudos to Philip for truly engaging the bloggers in their turf. So far he is the One senior civil servant who feels secured enough to do. :wink: