Multilingualism and Culture

QUESTION FOR DISCUSSION – The State intervention of a carefully engineered tripartite approach should be introduced to encouraging integration and cultural pluralism in Singapore.

I agree with the statement above as Singapore is a multi racial country. We have people of different backgrounds living together and therefore it is important to have integration and cultural pluralism in our country so that we can understand each other and live harmoniously together.

As mentioned, singapore is a multi racial society where we have people from all walks of life living together. There are people of different races and culture living around each other and misunderstandings could be caused easily if they do not have the rapport. This is where a tripartite approach, referring to the Government, the community and the private sector, would come in place.

The government has to be the one that takes the initiative to promote integration and cultural pluralism as they are our leaders. Without the government’s actions, most people would stick to their own race and cause social segregation which would lead to no cultural pluralism. Therefore Government has to take the extra steps to campaign for cultural pluralism actively so as to ensure that everyone of all kinds of race are treated fairly and to make everyone feel wanted. Singapore’s government has done many things to encourage culture integration. The public housing policy applies that the flat owners have to be of different races so that not all people of the same race would live in one estate. This encourages the people to communicate and live with their neighbours of different races with different cultural backgrounds. Singapore also celebrates Racial Harmony Day to commeorate the 1964 Race Riots and to celebrate Singapore’s success as a racially harmonious nation and society built on a rich diversity of culture and heritage.

The community sector refers to the public where individuals play their own part in maintaining racial harmony. There is an appreciation for the different cultures in Singapore as we celebrate different types of festivals for every race. A cultural understanding is developed individually when neighbours of different cultures sees the other one celebrating their festival. Neighbourhood community centers also host celebrations for different festivals where all residents are encouraged to participate. At the event, they are given the chance to learn more about other cultures and have fun at the same time. Activities such as yoga, knitting, cooking lessons or even foreign language classes are held and people can take this opportunity to make new friends from other races. Being mutually tolerant and respectful to each other’s race and culture is also a way on how to maintain multi-racial harmony.

The private sector also plays an important role in cultural pluralism and integration as there is an increasing number of foreign companies setting up offices and headquarters in our country. Therefore there is an influx of foreign talent and The companies should encourage more social bonding and also assign people of different backgrounds to work together so as to not create friction between the local and foreign employees. It is important for the private sector to encourage integration so that we can all learn from each other and make Singapore a better place to live in.

In summary, the tripartite approach should be introduced so as to encourage integration and cultural pluralism in our society. It does not matter whether we are of different cultures because we are all Singaporeans. The tripartite approach would integrate us into one and ensure harmony in our country.

Primary School Admission Is Not Fair, But Inevitable: MM Lee

Meritocracy should take a backseat in the primary school admission system as high regard for the social economic status and background of the student should take the limelight. Discuss this argument and identify the desired outcomes of education.

I disagree that the high regard for the social economic status and background of the student should take the limelight in the primary school admission system instead of meritocracy to a certain extent as I believe that it is inevitable.

At the age of six when students are enrolled into the various primary schools, how do we adopt meritocracy to the situation? From my understanding, meritocracy is based on the ability and talent of a person. If we were to apply meritocracy to the primary school admission system does it means that we have to start assessing the students’ abilities at the age of six? In Singapore’s education system, students are already required to go through the PSLE, O levels’ and A levels’ or other examinations in their tertiary education. With Singaporeans being dubbed with the reputation of “Kiasu” (fear of losing), parents could make their children start preparing for their “primary school admission assessment” at the age of four or five. Children will not be able to enjoy their childhood as a carefree soul anymore. I feel that it is too much to dump so much pressure on these young children.

So this is where the social economic status and background of the students come in place. I’m from Raffles Girls’ Primary School, I was enrolled through balloting. I had classmates who lived a stone’s throw away from our school and there were students whose mother or sister have studied in the very same school but that does not determine how well the student would fare in her PSLE.I agree with Mr. Lee that the PSLE helps to assess the students’ performance and sort them accordingly. PSLE is taken at the age of 12, I believe that most students are more matured to be assessed of their abilities. There are people in the elite primary schools who do not fare so well at their primary school leaving exams and there are students who do really well in neighbourhood schools. Personally, I believe that your background and your primary school does not determine where you would go in the future.

However, it is argued that bright students who come from less fortunate backgrounds would have a chance to attend good schools if they do well in the PSLE. The problem comes about where goods schools have better teachers and the students there just get better. While students in the “lesser” primary schools suffer as they might be influenced easily and be less willing and interested in studying. Therefore in my opinion, the best solution to the primary school admission system is to set a guideline for elite schools. There should be a “limit” for priority registration and the elite schools should set aside a higher number of intake for students who come from an average family. In the end, the desired outcome is all singaporeans to be given a fair chance of having a good education.

My point of view

In order to survive in the competitive global environment, Singapore is best to perfect the delicate balancing act of being independent and interdependent

China has been improving tremendously and is quickly catching up with America to become one of the super powers in the world. It is great that we enjoy a great working relationship with them. With China advancing, there are working opportunities for both countries and we, Singaporeans, do speak chinese which is an advantage when pitted with other countries and we do understand their culture.

Mr Lee’s point of view was rather interesting as I had never thought of it this way but what he said made sense. “In Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's view, the added value Singapore could provide China would include Singapore's in-depth understanding of its neighboring countries in Southeast Asia and Singapore's intimate relationship with countries in Southeast Asia as well as Singapore's understanding of the operational knowledge of western countries that until today, China has not fully understood.” I agree with his view as one major reason why China is losing out to other countries is the understanding towards western countries. Singapore has great relations with different countries and this would definitely help China in their developing.

I agree that Singapore has to perfect the act of being independent and interdependent. Singapore as we all know is a small country with no natural resources therefore I believe that it is important we maintain good relations with other countries as there are definitely some things that we are unable to do. For example, we need water from Malaysia and fuel from Middle East countries and even our food is imported from neighbouring countries. We have proven ourselves in different aspects such as our Changi Airport and the port of Singapore is one of the world’s busiest transhipment hub. It is impossible for Singapore to be “completely” independent. Sure, we have developed NEWater and introduced desalination to reduce the reliance on water imported from Malaysia but that is all that we can do.

As we are mutually dependent with other countries, it is important for us not to lose ourselves and become influenced by other powerful countries. I agree with Mr Lee that we have to have our own position and principles and not to become a satelite country of other countries. We need other countries just as much as they need us. Singpaore has to show the world that despite being a small country with no natural resources, we are still capable of doing what bigger countries do. We might have more difficulties or we could take more time but we will get there through our “Singapore spirit”.Therefore Singapore just has to be independent and interdependent at the same time.