Educational System Not To Be Solely Blamed for Creating Generation LaxI refer to the commentary, "Think pills for Generation Lax" dated
Wednesday September 7, 2005.
I agree with the writer that there is a pressing need for Young
Singaporeans to be more concerned with the political affairs of this
country. While I agree that some of the apathy is bred through our
lop-sided educational system, he has not mentioned that there might
have been more factors at play.
The culture of fear in Singapore is still very much in place. Even
though the government has not been using the Internal Security Act
since 1986 (until recently on an alleged group of terrorists); they
have continued to prosecute opposition politicians and outspoken
critics using defamation suits to silence them.
Pressures from workplace, peers, parents and family to toe the line
has also dissuaded them from taking an active interest.
In Singapore, where the government leads with an iron fist, and its
citizens told to obey and follow; their voices hardly impact on public
policies. Feedback sessions are at best PR efforts to be seen as
consensual; with suggestions rarely implemented. It is therefore not
surprising that many young Singaporeans are disengaged from politics.
I agree that our educational system needs to introduce more political
history curriculum. These studies must however be balanced.
I would suggest the government grants clemency and drop existing law
suits on exiled activists and politicians, who would then be able to
come home and teach as part time lecturers in these programs.
Young Singaporeans should be allowed to form their own political clubs
without the interference from their schools; and allowed to carry out
debates and activities to give them a sense of empowerment.
In short, we need to reform our educational system; but we need to do
more than that.
We need to adopt a post structuralist view of the situation and
develop a more comprehensive strategy in tackling political apathy
among our youths.
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Think pills for Generation Lax
Young Singaporeans must shed their political disinterest
Wednesday • September 7, 2005
Do you agree with his views? Send an email to news@newstoday.com.sg
I RECENTLY attended the Singapore International Foundation's
International Student Symposium, where I gained some insight into the
political orientation of young Singaporeans.
While some were engaged on issues ranging from the role of the arts to
the state of the political opposition here, the majority of the
student audience either chatted among themselves or played with their
mobile phones.
When asked if there would be more political pluralism in the next
generation, a speaker replied that the next generation simply would
not care enough to make a difference. This generated much laughter —
probably of affirmation.
To encourage young Singaporeans to take a greater interest in our
nation's affairs, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his Government
have taken steps to engage them since his first National Day Rally
speech last year.
There is the National Youth Forum, last August's Youth Consultation
Exercise and the yearly Pre-University Seminars. But for these
initiatives to have an impact, should they be expanded to embrace a
larger, more diverse audience?
Youth today seem to have been depoliticised by the education system —
which involves the learning of the official "inspirational form" of
Singapore history; the discouragement of political discourse on
campus; the absence of opportunities to study social science subjects
such as sociology and politics at the O- and A-levels; and a set of
prescribed "shared values" that emphasises consensual rather than
competitive political participation.
Young Singaporeans either tend not to think critically or feel that
being critical results in unwanted consequences or has no purposeful
outcome.
If a generation of Singaporeans grows up with only basic notions of
political participation, can Singapore expect good political leaders
in the future? Or, for that matter, to be a global and cosmopolitan
city, a vision set out by Mr Lee in his recent National Day Rally
speech?
In order to ensure that our future leaders have empathy for
Singaporeans, passion for Singapore, knowledge of political history
and the ability to manage a complex economy and society, our education
system must place a greater emphasis on critical thinking.
This can be achieved through a revaluation of the history curriculum
to allow for discussion of the real political battles of pre- and
post-1965 Singapore. History is not simply a linear story — it should
involve a close examination of historical sources to discover how
events and ideas came about.
For example, the political battles between the People's Action Party
(PAP) and the Barisan Socialis (BS) could be discussed in classrooms
by examining oral accounts given by PAP and BS Members of Parliament.
This could, in turn, lead to a fruitful discussion on the issues of
welfare, communitarianism and Singapore's struggle for nationhood.
Second, subjects that deal with the grey areas of policy-making and
managing a rapidly evolving society should be studied. Doing so would
help us understand the different ways in which individuals and groups
make decisions, exercise power and respond to change.
Young Singaporeans, especially those pursuing post-secondary
education, need the basic knowledge and tools to analyse the evolution
of the political, societal, cultural and economic spheres in Singapore
in a rapidly globalising world. Those interested in politics and
sociology should have the opportunity to study these subjects at the O
and A levels.
More importantly, issues ranging from the importance of good
governance to the widening income gap and the potential for social
divisions between Singaporeans and foreigners should be discussed in
the classroom.
Teachers, peers, the media, politicians and speakers with
non-traditional views could help students better understand the
implications of the social and political issues of the day.
Mr Lee is justified in his praise for the compassion, resourcefulness,
courage and strength shown by Singaporeans over the past 40 years.
However, if we do not address the importance of critical thinking, we
risk creating a highly educated populace that is unthinking,
complacent and lacking in passion for Singapore. Will the next
generation then fail to see politics as a form of public service and a
vocation?
The writer, a 22-year-old Singaporean, is a student at Carleton
College, Minnesota and a research intern with a local think-tank.
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