What is the role of schooling in the lives of youths? In what – or whose – interest are children sent to school? One of the tasks of schools is to instill values in students. Whose values? What are the values and ideals that youths ought to pursue? Check out this clip produced by youth in school themselves.
(Image above courtesy of Berita Minggu, published 20 December 2009)
Recent hype within public fora accentuated Malay students’ academic under-achievement, especially in Maths. Some of the root causes identified are due to the lack of aspirations, discipline and motivation, as well as the problem of mindset and attitude. But is this the case? Are those really the root causes? Does the problem lies within the Malay families themselves, or are there actually external factors involved? If our Malay students are really lack of motivation and aspirations, then the question we need to pose is, WHY?
In the words of Jose Ortega, “Excellence means when one asks of himself more than others do“. What does the term ‘excellence’ mean to you? How can we, as a community, define ‘excellence’, before we can move towards the idea of a Community of Excellence?
On 6 Dec 2009, Berita Minggu reported on the lives of a small community of families who have been living for months in tents pitched along the East Coast beach. Is this really the case of indolence, or are they victims of circumstances?
Singapore’s modern history may be different from its neighbours. However, there are many memories, cultural influences and practices that are shared over time with people of this region, otherwise known as the Malay Archipelago or Nusantara Melayu. What are the possibilities of our community to rekindle ties with regional communities to explore opportunities for mutual growth in a region that is fast developing?
