Keeping the young in touch with grassroots reality

Get our heads out of the clouds
HOW can tomorrow’s leaders be attuned to the grassroots community if many of us are confined to our privileged backgrounds and elite schools?
If all we fret over is getting first class honours or organising chi-chi parties, we will never understand how some struggle to put food on the table.
Many [...]

What makes us ready for a Singapore beyond Lee Kuan Yew

Sound values ingrained in system
SINGAPORE’S model of good governance, built on the principles of meritocracy, fairness and efficiency, has propelled it to great success.
Future leaders from my generation will have to ensure that this system continues to work well. Fortunately, we have what it takes due to the education we have received that is better [...]

Jury’s out on Net effect of online engagement

The power of new media
THE recent liberalisation of rules governing political activity in cyberspace not only signals the Government’s recognition of its influence on younger voters, but is also a tacit admission that tight regulation of the Internet is impossible.
New media is the most effective way in engaging us, as it is an integral part [...]

Time to speak up – or maybe not

Who will step up at Speakers’ Corner? YouthInk writers voice their doubts.
Is this real or pseudo?
TO DEMONSTRATE is to put forth a purposeful and visible critique of society, policy or leadership.
People demonstrate where their intended effect will be greatest – in front of iconic landmarks, before the eyes of their leaders and countrymen.
In Britain, I [...]

Can schools really be run like businesses?

Let schools choose own paths
IN AN increasingly competitive system, differentiation is key.
I empathise with the budgetary constraints that schools face in attempting to manage the breadth and depth of their investments in co-curricular activities (CCAs).
Therefore, it is not unreasonable for the administration to invest finite resources in activities that generate the best returns in the [...]

The Youth Olympic Games: What now?

Singapore, fresh from winning the bid, has already dubbed it the YOG. YouthInkers wonder what more will happen in the lead-up to the Games.
The best lesson possible
PERSONALLY, the greatest joy of Singapore’s successful Youth Olympic Games (YOG) bid is the motivation it will give to young Singaporean athletes.
Not every aspiring champion gets the opportunity to [...]

Work as service staff? Thanks, but no thanks

Seven out of 10 jobs that go unfilled are in the service sector. Why do Singaporeans shun these tasks?
Long hours, low pay, rude customers
I CAN’T visualise Singaporeans being in the service sector – we just don’t smile enough.
The job is demanding – long hours, subsistence pay and irregular shift work.
The only time that I’ve worked [...]

Let’s talk about the rules of engagement

The P65 Blog – is it the only way to engage young people? YouthInk writers speak up.
Published
Better to talk face-to-face
I ADMIT that I do not read the P65 Blog regularly.
While it is a good vehicle to give an insight into the lives and thoughts of the P65 MPs, there are limitations. Debates on policy matters [...]

Does a school environment nurture guile?

Can top students develop guile outside traditional hot-house schools? Mr Ngiam Tong Dow, a former civil servant and currently chairman of Surbana Corporation, suggested they might. YouthInk writers speak up.
Published
School of hard knocks
STREET smarts, a cunning mind and being business savvy are some habits that can be associated with the trait, guile. It is no [...]