Year 2005 (Q1)

' Parents and teachers are partners in the education of children '
In what ways can parents and teachers contribute to the education of children ?

Amongst all the Asian countries, Singapore is often extolled as a world-leading economic cream of the crop and business hub. Nonetheless, in order to nuture our children into future leaders of the nation, the Singapore government have been showing the prominence in offering an all-rounded education within Singapore. Being a typical Singaporean children, one might be sick and tired of the umpteen reminders to excel in their studies and to score top in their class. In general, I think that Singaporeans should not be relying on the government in providing the best education for their children. As it takes both hands to clap, parents and teachers do play an important role in educating their children as well.

Towards education, most people will always have the notion of discerning education as one's academic performance in school. This is absolutely far from the truth. Besides shining academically, it is also essential for one to excel in his character development as well. Students with good attributes such as being courteous and polite most likely come from families with good upbringing. Thus, this makes sense to me that parents besides being a guardian, they act the role of an educator as well. In my opinion, I feel that parents do carry a heavy responsibility in their child's character development. First and foremost, parents are role models for their children to follow, every word or action may poses as an impact on their children. As parents are the ones whom the children spend most of their time with. On the other hand, moral education have been implemented as one of the subject in the cirriculum in all Primary and Secondary schools within Singapore, to impart values that can help to make their children becoming better human beings , confident and upright citizens of their country.

Due to the booming tourism and economic activities, Singapore has open her doors to welcome foreign talents to boost Singapore's economic growth as well as the declining birth rates. As such, Singaporeans have been constantly reminded to buck up and stay competitive. Thus, making learning a mundane and daunting chore to be done daily, especially for those who are weaker in their studies. In order to enable children to overcome such physical barrier, teachers should make lessons fun and enjoyable and most importantly, ensuring students to be able to cope with the pace as well as understanding important concepts at the same time. Furthermore, teachers should also squeeze in time from their busy work schedule specially for slow-learners and those weaker ones, so that they will not feel despair towards learning but rather feel that learning is a pleasure , not a burden. In addition, once every semester has ended, the school will conduct a Parent-Teacher Conference to update the student's progress and attitude in school. On the other hand, parents should supervise their children with their school work daily and to understand the difficulties that they faced during learning in order for them to set realistic goals for their children.

As the saying goes" Health is wealth." , is vital for the children to stay physically and mentally healthy in order for them to be outstanding in all aspects of education. To a large extent, parents do play an important role in maintaining their child's healthy state of mind. They should praise their children for the for the good works that they have done or scoring distinctions in their recent class tests. These might be seen as the littlest thinggs in life we may neglect, but it can actually boost the morale and self-esteem of their children to do even well. Hence, parents should not underestimate the power of such praises, it may mean a lot to a child, it do makes a difference.

Magalence Teng: Defining A Nation And Its People

The world admired the way the Americans picked themselves up after the September 11th attacks in year 2001. The tragedy pulled them together. Ditto the Britons when the London Tube was hit by a series of coordinated bomb blasts in July 2005. Singaporeans, too, been put to the test have shown the Singapore spirit. In 2003, the nation and its stricken economy reunite to battle against the outbreak of the SARS virus. The never-say-die attitude was noted as everyone pulled together as a nation, to weather the economic downturn in the 1990s , recession in the 1980 and the double-digit inflation in the 1970s. More recently, PM Lee described how the nation reached out to the victims of the Tsunami Crisis in 2004 - as a spirit which hold us together as one united people ,each one doing his part, making Singapore as a vibrant , global city called home. The Singapore spirit captures is the nation resilience, which alludes to the ways the nation has tried to excel. These characteristics inspired the theme for the nation's 43rd National Day Parade - Celebrating The Singapore Spirit.

My Comments: As a Singaporean, I can really feel the resilience attitude among us. The SiChuan Earthquake devastation shows the national spirit as for reaching out, helping victims who have suffered from this disaster. Donations and aid have been sent/offered to them as well. Thus, I believe that we, Singaporeans , should carry on with such spirit, as what PM Lee have said " building our home and together , we will make it a vibrant, global city called home ! "

Magalence Teng : Pint-sized stickkey is one 'smart' card

From next year onwards, passengers could find themselves using a smart card, in a size of two postage stamps to pay for their own train and bus fares. The pint-sized card, known as stickkey, is schelduled to undergo a trial run next year. Fast Innovations Asia, working with the Land Transport Authority on this project. In fact, if this trial is successful, the stickkey could be available in MRT stations soon after. This card is not merely for paying bus fares but it is rather something that is truly mobile being used for several purposes. Despite its small size, the stickkey packs a punch, several functions are packed in the tiny card, enabling people to buy groceries and even unlock doors. It can be attached to cellphones and other handy surfaces. However, this will expire after one and a half year , opposite to five years for the ez-link card. In addition, the Singapore Fashion Festival this year also handed out stickkeys to VIPs for exculsive accers to their shows during the 10-day event.

My Comments: With this pint-sized card , one will lead a more expedient lifestyle after the launch of it, probably next year. This could actually end the days of people digging through their wallets for CashCard. Do you prefer Credit Cards or Stickkey ? I believe that Singaporeans will " fall in love " with its several functions as a stickkey. It is cumbersome for one to bring their keys along to work, leisure, etc. Also, one needs not carry a wallet with lots of cash and some important documents in it for the sake of buying groceries or during shopping. Stickkey will settle the bills for anyone at anytime, anywhere.

Magalence Teng : Quake survivors now face threat of floods

Gushing waters in southern China's have swollen Pearl River delta, threatening millions of people. Authorities fastened to finish the evacuation of 110,000 people in quake-hit areas. Recently, the deluge of water that roared by was the biggest in 50 years , emergency measures had been prompted to protect the people in those areas. Death tolls have been increased in this disaster. Since the rainy season began last month , large swarthes of Southern China have been flooded, while the north-region of China is experiencing an unusual heatwave. Harbin, known as the Ice City , has reported an abnormally high temperature of 37.1 degrees celsius. The evacuation up to 110,000 quake refugees from dangerous mountainous areasthreatened by rain in-duced landslides in Aba perfectures was slated to finish yesterday. Many people had evacuated in regions hardest hit by the rain, with large tracts of farmland under water. Officials warned that the north could fall victim to the weather, and the government has urged the strengthening of dukes and reservoirs along the Yellow River. In fact, thousands of transport trucks have been stranded in Guangdong , cutting off food supplies to urban centre and fuelling price rises.

My Comments: From my perspective, I sympathized those who have experience this earthquake. This diasater in SiChuan had hit the lives of more than thousands of victims and their families overnight. One may feel fortunate for themselves after witnesssing families crying bitterly for their loved ones. In addition, I admire those survivors , being trapped in the rubble during the earthquake , for their perseverence attitude. Especially those who are able to tolerate the pain as they amputate their own arms or legs in order to escape from the ordeal.

Magalence Teng : Korea's 'Gold Misses' dump men for career

Ms Kim Ji Won , have been identified as one of the 'Gold Misses' in Korea , spent S$3,300 on a limited edition Fendi handbag during a recent shopping spree and a dress , costing Us$1700. She proclaimed that purchasing designer goods as a reward for working hard. She is one of a new age of women who are forsaking marriage to pursue careers. In addition , these women have attracted attention of banks which offer special accounts to win their business too. It is true that women have realise that they need not rely on men to lead an affluent lifestyle. Subsequently, the teachings of Confucius had brought an impact to Korea as well. ' Gold Misses' are defined as single women age ranging from 30 to 45, holding degrees anf have an annual income of US$40,000. Traditionalists say the trend is undermining South Korean society. In fact, this was instigated by a few feminists and youngsters who indulge in Western culture . Also, it is lamentable how women's egocentriness have lead to the rupture of families in Korea, which has historically valued families as the root of sound ethnics.

My Comments : It is common for this trend to exist in this modern society , including Singapore as well. Women working in different professionals , holding degrees and have an annual income of at least US$40,000 are not willing to get married. It is obvious that these women want is not a husband but freedom as well as the affluent lifestyle they are experiencing now. It is true , according to the news article , where women's egocentricness have lead to the rupture of families in Korea as well as the next generation will face a greater danger in terms of continuing the tradition. In addition, this have affected the economic and social development of one's country as well.