Stronger security needed in educational institutes

TODAY Online

From Prem Singh

February 20

I refer to the report, “Terror threats real and evolving: Lawrence Wong” (Feb 8, online) and could not agree more. Recent terror events round the globe prove this.

The violence committed by terrorists come in extremes: Suicide bombings, hostage taking followed by sadistic execution of the hostages and reported hijacking of planes to be used in other attacks against nations opposed to their barbaric, evil activities.

Knowing that the threat is real and cannot be taken lightly, our Government must do more to ensure that Total Defence is what it says exactly.

For a start, educational institutions must beef up their security systems, which must be strict and include trained security personnel who are stationed at the entrances and exits. Pre-emption must be the critical role of security.

[Why?]

Thaipusam

[Arrest some people during the procession, see it blow up in the social media, ask why it's not a public holiday. Get an official reply. Then push for it to be made a public holiday.

Hey! I also want!

Another day off, who don't want? Even those who have to work during holidays also happy because - OVERTIME RATES! ]


Seek views on Thaipusam as a public holiday


FROM AMOS MAXIMILIAN LEE CANGUANG

FEBRUARY 19

I thank the Manpower Ministry for its letter, “Impractical to make all key festivals public holidays” (Feb 14), which explained its stance on whether Thaipusam should be a public holiday.

Indeed, in 1968, Christians and Muslims had to give up two public holidays. Both faiths were, however, left with two days: Christians have Good Friday and Christmas, and Muslims have Hari Raya Puasa and Hari Raya Haji.

It seems odd that Hindus, who had two days to begin with, Deepavali and Thaipusam, had to choose one instead of keeping both.

Firstly, the difference between Thaipusam and Vesakhi for the Sikhs or Lao-Tzu’s Birthday for the Taoists is that Thaipusam involves a huge procession of devotees. Designating it a public holiday could reduce traffic congestion and potential safety hazards.

[The authorities DID NOT tell the Hindus: "You have to give up Thaipusam." The Hindus considered the two important days to their religion and decided Deepavali was more important. And that they can work around Thaipusam not being a public holiday. The question is, do we want to re-open the issue or ask the Hindus to decide if they want to stick with Deepavali or change to Thaipusam.

And yes, traffic congestion is a major consideration for public holidays. We should make the week preceding the F1 race a Golden Week Public Holiday.]

Secondly, Hindus make up 5 per cent of the resident population, a sizeable number compared to the Sikhs. The Taoists, who form 11 per cent of our population, have also petitioned previously for Lao-Tzu’s Birthday to be a public holiday.

Perhaps, designating a public holiday for religions that comprise 5 per cent of the resident population is a better way of ensuring religious harmony.

Finally, it is one thing to say from an official standpoint that the status quo maintains harmonious living, but I hope the ministry would seek opinions on Thaipusam from employers, employees, Hindus and people of other faiths.

I am confident that many non-Hindus here would support designating Thaipusam as a public holiday, and if a majority on the ground does, it would show Singapore’s multi-ethnic and multi-religious solidarity and society.

[Merits of ANOTHER public holiday? Seek views of public as to whether Thaipusam should be a public holiday?

While you are at it, why don't you ask really controversial questions like: "Do you want Free Money?" in addition to this moral conundrum: "Do you want ANOTHER public holiday?"

Yes, I am CONFIDENT too that if you ask ANYBODY if he wants one more public holiday, they will all say yes. Unless they are crazy. 

BUT to be fair, I think if we let Hindus have TWO public holidays, than Christians and Muslims should have one more public holiday each. And yes, the Taoist and the Buddhists and heck, the Chinese too.

I am CONFIDENT that many non-(whatever) will support more public holidays. Because in our multi-racial, multi-religious, racially harmonious society, we all want to celebrate each other's important festivals appropriately. i.e. resting at home.]


More public holidays may be better

FROM HAZRUL AZHAR JAMARI

FEBRUARY 19

I refer to the Manpower Ministry’s letter, “Impractical to make all key festivals public holidays” (Feb 14). Perhaps, the consideration is how it could be hard for Singapore to be competitive if we have too many holidays.

Our fierce economic competitor, Hong Kong, has 17 public holidays, though, and the Chinese territory has no problems remaining one of Asia’s best economies, often beating Singapore in economic rankings.

[Yes. I googled "Singapore HK Economics" and these are some of the results:
http://www.scmp.com/business/economy/article/1498467/booming-years-singapore-lost-decade-hong-kong?page=all
"Hong Kong’s economy grew 2.3 per cent in 2014, while Singapore’s expanded 2.9 per cent."

See? The writer is right! with just 6 more public holidays, HK's economy only lost to SG by 0.6%! Or only about 0.1% per holiday! We can afford that right?]


Unlike Hong Kong, Singapore is multiracial. So during this Chinese New Year, for example, those from the other races might be working.

This is true for services that must run throughout the holidays, such as public transport, our airport, the checkpoints and some supermarkets.

[So... in HK, during public holidays, all these essential services STOP? wow. I did not know that.]

Hong Kong, as a homogenous territory, has the luxury of providing holidays for both major and minor occasions; the residents take their breaks and return to work refreshed.

Perhaps, overworked Singaporeans would be better off having holidays that make everyone happy. Every racial community is an important cog in our economy.

[OK, now you are starting to lose me. First you say that SG multi-racial so more holidays ok because OTHERS will be working. NOW you say HK homogeneous so holiday, EVERYBODY rest and come back refreshed. Which is it?]

With less annual leave left, just so they can attend an important religious or cultural occasion, some Singaporeans may end up feeling less refreshed.

Further, more holidays means that the ever-important and growing tourism industry has more reasons to bring in foreign visitors.

[OK, now you are just sounding desperate to make your case. What about all the SG going overseas and spending money in other countries? And SG already so crowded! You want more foreigners here?!?]

For example, Thaipusam is a crowd-puller in Malaysia. Were it made a public holiday in Singapore, with the entire road for Hindu Singaporeans to perform their procession, there may be many tourists preferring Singapore as a holiday destination instead.

[I will leave it to the Hindus to decide if they want to be insulted that their religious practice is to be turned into a tourist attraction. Next: "True Confessions!" Webcams to be installed in Catholic Confessionals. Especially those in churches next to convent schools or CJC.]

But it seems we want workers to work more days when it would be better to earn the tourist dollar, let our Hindu friends enjoy their religious festival, and for the rest of us, a well-deserved break.

The ministry should rethink this issue. What happened in 1968 is no longer relevant; we may have needed to make compromises then for our young nation to become an Asian Tiger, but we are at the top now.

More holidays does not necessarily mean a slow or weaker economy as Hong Kong has demonstrated.

[Sorry. Debunked. See chart below. Since 1989, SG (red bars) have consistently been better than HK (blue bars.]

Schools should do away with cleaners

FEB 15, 2015

I salute editor-at-large Han Fook Kwang for his maverick and courageous suggestion that schools do away with paid cleaners and make students responsible for cleaning ("No litter please, we're Singaporeans"; last Sunday).

Mr Han's suggestion should be seriously considered.

Values that are instilled in the young through practice will remain with them throughout their lives.

I spent four years in three different Chinese schools from 1948 to 1951. All the three schools did not have paid cleaners. Students were the cleaners. Today, I don't feel that doing manual work is beneath me and I respect the people who do such jobs. We used to have Use Your Hands campaigns in schools, where students were required to clean classrooms and wash toilets.

Will our school principals today have the courage to take up Mr Han's challenge?

Tan Kim Hock


[I think this is a good idea. But the problem is not the children. The problem is the parents. If TOP schools were to implement this, would they still have parents clamouring to enroll their children in those schools? ]

What are pre-schools' guidelines on naps?

FEB 12, 2015

ARE there recommendations or guidelines on sleeping for pre-schoolers who are in full-day class ("Many parents 'not alert to children's lack of sleep'"; last Friday).

Some pre-schools do not allow afternoon naps from Kindergarten 1 onwards. One reason could be that there are enrichment classes on some afternoons. But these do not take place every afternoon, and not all children are involved.

Another reason could be that some parents feel that they are paying school fees not for their children to nap.

Some people say that not having a nap in school means children will sleep earlier at night.

But the key consideration is whether a child's overall development and health benefit from a nap.

My children benefit from a nap: They are less cranky and have better appetites at dinner time.

My questions for the childcare and kindergarten authorities are: Are there guidelines on napping for pre-schoolers? Is there no benefit to a child napping, say up to an hour, in addition to sleeping nine to 10 hours straight at night?

Yah Jun Yang

[I am an evil person who relish dumb letters to the ST Forum Page so I have material for this vicious blog. If you are reading this you are probably a evil person as well.

OK. enough self-flagellation. 

Let's flagellate the more deserving. 

Like this letter-writer who in his inspired wisdom decided that the best way to ensure that his children gets enough sleep in pre-school is to ensure that ALL pre-schools have nap time.

This despite noting that some pre-schools do not schedule nap times because:

"One reason could be that there are enrichment classes on some afternoons. But these do not take place every afternoon, and not all children are involved.
Another reason could be that some parents feel that they are paying school fees not for their children to nap.
Some people say that not having a nap in school means children will sleep earlier at night."

So despite these reasons, this parent decides that since 

My children benefit from a nap: They are less cranky and have better appetites at dinner time.

Therefore, he "reasons", EVERY Pre-school should have nap times. 

Why?

I dunno why people act selfishly. I dunno why people think that what works for them MUST apply to everyone. Oh wait, I do know. It's because they are self-centred, self-absorbed, and thinks the world revolves around them, their needs, their priorities, their interests.

The reasonable, rational approach would have been to ask the the pre-school you are considering enrolling your children in, about their programme, or if you want to be specific about it, ask them straight out if they schedule afternoon naps.  And if they do, and everything else is fine and meets your needs or your children's needs, you can enrol them in that pre-school.

Instead you choose to ask the AUTHORITIES if they have guidelines on napping? Because they know your children better? Or they know that ALL children need afternoon naps? That all children are the same? Or that this need supercedes all other needs? Or your need has precedence over other parents' needs and priorities? 

While you are at it, can you ask MOM about scheduling afternoon naps in the workplace?

Thank you.]