Saturday, November 11, 2006

Hmm... An Inclusive Society?

I'm not in the mood to do any of my tutorials this entire week. Projects, BOO. Assignments, BOO. School, BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! Come to think of it, I actually prefer working to studying at this period of time. While working, it opens the door to opportunities in different aspects, and everyday, a mistake committed and a lesson learned is a goal pocketed, because then do you know of the cause and the affecting factors, and you know you're going to do it right the next time (at least). The people who appear in the course somehow contribute a difference to your life. You communicate with people, those who are more experienced and somewhat leading on a successful path. The ideas exchanged are invaluable, the conversations engaged memorable, the teamwork participated seems priceless. You get to experience so many things that you prolly don't even get to encounter in the myths of the books, because during work, people are in for the real thing. They stand on their two feet, doing what's best for the company and themselves, becoming independent figures in the entity. It's the real ocean that we're talking about, the vast working world.

But one thing, you don't really have to be book-smart to advance to the status of these successful persons you've once met or know of. However, a decent cert always matter in Singapore, don't you think? But what does this piece of paper really determine? A person's character? A person's intelligence? A person's working ability? Ability to produce commendable outputs at the financial year end? Not to mention, during my stint in MTI, a couple of my former bosses, who were directors, yes DIRECTORS, had to pass on work that's supposed to be submitted to the highest level in the Ministry by themselves, to my colleagues and I. What did we learn eventually? That they just weren't clear of the task, so they had to. How funny. And what next? Yeahh... credit claimed... who else? Them. So, talk about ability with the presence of admirable certs. Big deal. And funny how the Govt is trying to hang on a new slogan of "An Inclusive Society". Just the Civil Service creates a good instance. Scholars worshipped like almighty Gods. The others are mere shadows.

There was this annual session (I've forgotten the exact title) which gathered all the employees of MTI and it was a discussion held by the Permanent Secretary (PS). He was addressing the concerns of the fellow civil servants on how the Ministry could improve in its internal controls, worker's benefits, opportunities in the Govt sectors (including what happens after the contract ends for some), also involving some other eminent factors raised as well. Democracy was brought into the house and specialists were hired to interpret and review on the worker's concerns and requests. I can only tell you, the results weren't favourable. And yes, the PS did mention on the various implementations to shape up a better Ministry, which in turn equates to launching on a mission to developing a competitive, high-value added and an alluring metropolis - Singapore. But throughout that session, all the PS focused on were complications apropos of the top management of the organization. Plus, those he interviewed were employees of higher ranks. Obviously quite a bit of the audience felt that they were outcast. Talk about inclusiveness there.

It seems interesting how MPs gave their certain laudable (including some laughable) opinions in the parliament debate of latching on an inclusive society by simply closing the currently widening income gap and how Singaporeans are able to live in unity through community bonding. On an article in the Straits Times, quoting from Tamp GRC MP, Mr Sin, he said "The perception exists that Singapore is a society that is bifurcated between elites and the commoners, the scholars and the Normal stream... the rich and the poor." He too, discussed about the sense of self-worth in regards to the highly stratified society. I regret to say that such may have been the emphasis on the Govt's philosophy on separating the better from the not-so-good ones. Take for instance, the educational system. Only in here, do you hear of Special, Exp, Norm, Norm Tech streams… and this somehow creates a barrier amongst the students from diff streams, causing the perception of "oh, you’re not in my league, so stay out." And how silly in the past that people fathom JC students serve as better candidates in the working world as compared to the others. It was then, did the Strait Times prompt on an article a couple of yrs back about "How employers prefer Poly students after all". Funny, ain't it?
"If you put these top students and scholars high up on the pedestal, you will end up creating a separate category of people who are set apart from the rest of the society", said Mr Sin, on how the Govt needs to address on breaking down the institution of snobbery within our FINE society.

There's this other article that I read on yesterday's ST on "Stop whining and whingeing, be gracious- MPs urge". Dr Mohd Maliki Osman (Semb GRC MP) said "Are we turning Singapore into a nation of people whose problem solving skills solely rest on the mechanism of asking someone else to solve their problems?" and he continued "giving feedback to Govt agencies, many adults are bad role models to their children." I wish to stress some points. First, it was PM Lee who said in his ND Rally speech that, in order to reach out to its citizens, the Govt will in any aspect, do its best to serve the nation when the people are in need, and for Dr. Mohd to ask such a question as stated above, he is somehow indirectly regarding the un-graciousness act he claims Singaporeans to have adopted, to be a problem caused by the Govt itself. Second, it is not very thoughtful and gracious of him, to term many adults as bad role models on just how the people are making an effort to point out some of the flaws that have materialized around us.
As citizens of the country, it was us who voted on the seats in the Parliament. As MPs, it's their duties to regard the problems (even minor ones) as crucial issues, not to question our graciousness or how just another MP term it as "boorish behaviour" we the countrymen expressed. So does this mean MPs = Gracious High-Status people, Citizens = Un-Gracious commoners? What a stereotype.

An interesting quote - "Only through the spirit of humility and service can the barriers of arrogance, pride and snobbery be overcome." - Do you think so?

freed his mind P.Y.R.A - U.G.I.N.E at 12:30 PM [comment]

Life is beautiful, so are you.