Mr Lee Kuan Yew's Biggest Achievement
Hard working and able men can build towers, roads, trains, public utilities and gardens. But it takes very special men to change the hearts and minds.
Lee Kuan Yew's government did change Singapore from a third world slum to a first world bustling metropolis in a matter of 4 decades. But what is an even more notable feat is that they changed Singapore from a racially fragmented and class segregated country to a people believing that they can do what they are able to do no matter which colour they are or what their family background is. Meritocracy. This is a change of hearts and minds. All done within 1 generation. A Singaporean Singapore.
My friends from Hong Kong or the West would tell me that Singaporeans are a brain washed nation. I don't really blame them for thinking that way. From a very young age, we are attended civics and moral education class.
Kindergarten
Singaporean children start education at pre-Nursery. There are 4 years of formal school before Primary 1 (Grade 1). In my tiny years, I learnt about the government and that I should respect them. Back then Mr Lee Kuan Yew was still the Prime Minister. I remembered we were made to repeat after our teacher "黄金辉总统。李光耀总理。" Which literally translates to "Wee Kim Wee is the President. Lee Kuan Yew is the Prime Minister". We were shown pictures of the 2 leaders and were told they govern the country. We were made to recognise each leader by their picture.
Primary School
With compulsory education, government schools provide free education for all 6 years in Primary school (Grades 1-6). The vast majority of students attend a government school. From Primary 1, students attend a Moral education class (好公民 - literally translates to "good citizens" class) at least once a week taught by their Mother Tongue (2nd language) class teacher. Being Chinese, they taught us Confucius good behaviours such as respecting authority (parents, teachers, police, governments); concepts of good public behaviour (道德心) such as not littering, flushing toilets, waiting for your turn in a queue; and living harmoniously with different cultures and religions.
We also had Social Studies class once a week, taught in English. In this class, we learnt about Singapore's history, geography and politics; and later on how the World and South East Asia environment affects Singapore.
Secondary School
When attending the 4 or 5 years in Secondary School (Grades 7 - 10), we had National Education class once a week. There were tests on the subject, so we had to be attentive. Through this class, we learnt about Singapore history, especially political and socio-economic history. And we were instilled core values of meritocracy and social harmony. Of course, we were well educated on what the People's Action Party (PAP) and Lee Kuan Yew did.
Junior College
In the last 2 years of school education (Grades 11 - 12), which because of meritocracy only the top 20% of the school cohort would make it to, students took a subject called General Paper. It's often seen a test of the English language, but it is really a subject of teaching critical thinking and putting arguments into an essay. A wide range of topics would be discussed, this includes history, geography, politics, sociology, etc.
Are Singaporeans really brainwashed?
Over the week of national mourning due to Lee Kuan Yew's death, there was non-stop coverage on TV and social media showing Lee Kuan Yew's achievements and the legacy he has left behind. Many young Singaporeans started to have a new appreciation for Lee Kuan Yew, as in their own words, "finally understood how much and what he has done". Many would admit prior to this week, they did learn in school that Mr Lee did many good things for the country, but it all felt distant and almost irrelevant. Much that they west would like to think that the education Singaporeans receive is brain washing, education in Singapore have trained a nation to think and decipher.
Where to from here?
The General Elections in Singapore will be held next year. On the current wave of national fever and appreciation of Lee Kuan Yew, would the votes swing towards the PAP? Or would the PAP stand behind Mr Lee's words of "If you want to be popular all the time, you would misgovern"?
Singaporeans today now understand the legacy of what the PAP has done for many years under Lee Kuan Yew. To elect based on meritocracy, people should choose the best to govern the land. Both the PAP and opposition need to walk out of the shadow of the giants and shine through with their best ability and efforts in making Singapore an even better place. Or risk the fate of meritocracy and being voted out due to someone who can govern better.
Related Posts
谁是李光耀？LKY101
For young Singaporeans: Who is Lee Kuan Yew 李光耀 ?
Who is Lee Kuan Yew to you? (Timeline of Prime Ministers around the World)
Lee Kuan Yew - Massive Funeral Turn Out
Lee Kuan Yew - Obituary Condolences from World Leaders
Lest we forget - Mr Lee Kuan Yew's Team
Singaporeans in Sydney - Remembering Lee Kuan Yew
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Lee Kuan Yew's government did change Singapore from a third world slum to a first world bustling metropolis in a matter of 4 decades. But what is an even more notable feat is that they changed Singapore from a racially fragmented and class segregated country to a people believing that they can do what they are able to do no matter which colour they are or what their family background is. Meritocracy. This is a change of hearts and minds. All done within 1 generation. A Singaporean Singapore.
My friends from Hong Kong or the West would tell me that Singaporeans are a brain washed nation. I don't really blame them for thinking that way. From a very young age, we are attended civics and moral education class.
Kindergarten
Singaporean children start education at pre-Nursery. There are 4 years of formal school before Primary 1 (Grade 1). In my tiny years, I learnt about the government and that I should respect them. Back then Mr Lee Kuan Yew was still the Prime Minister. I remembered we were made to repeat after our teacher "黄金辉总统。李光耀总理。" Which literally translates to "Wee Kim Wee is the President. Lee Kuan Yew is the Prime Minister". We were shown pictures of the 2 leaders and were told they govern the country. We were made to recognise each leader by their picture.
Primary School
With compulsory education, government schools provide free education for all 6 years in Primary school (Grades 1-6). The vast majority of students attend a government school. From Primary 1, students attend a Moral education class (好公民 - literally translates to "good citizens" class) at least once a week taught by their Mother Tongue (2nd language) class teacher. Being Chinese, they taught us Confucius good behaviours such as respecting authority (parents, teachers, police, governments); concepts of good public behaviour (道德心) such as not littering, flushing toilets, waiting for your turn in a queue; and living harmoniously with different cultures and religions.
We also had Social Studies class once a week, taught in English. In this class, we learnt about Singapore's history, geography and politics; and later on how the World and South East Asia environment affects Singapore.
Secondary School
When attending the 4 or 5 years in Secondary School (Grades 7 - 10), we had National Education class once a week. There were tests on the subject, so we had to be attentive. Through this class, we learnt about Singapore history, especially political and socio-economic history. And we were instilled core values of meritocracy and social harmony. Of course, we were well educated on what the People's Action Party (PAP) and Lee Kuan Yew did.
Junior College
In the last 2 years of school education (Grades 11 - 12), which because of meritocracy only the top 20% of the school cohort would make it to, students took a subject called General Paper. It's often seen a test of the English language, but it is really a subject of teaching critical thinking and putting arguments into an essay. A wide range of topics would be discussed, this includes history, geography, politics, sociology, etc.
Are Singaporeans really brainwashed?
Over the week of national mourning due to Lee Kuan Yew's death, there was non-stop coverage on TV and social media showing Lee Kuan Yew's achievements and the legacy he has left behind. Many young Singaporeans started to have a new appreciation for Lee Kuan Yew, as in their own words, "finally understood how much and what he has done". Many would admit prior to this week, they did learn in school that Mr Lee did many good things for the country, but it all felt distant and almost irrelevant. Much that they west would like to think that the education Singaporeans receive is brain washing, education in Singapore have trained a nation to think and decipher.
Where to from here?
The General Elections in Singapore will be held next year. On the current wave of national fever and appreciation of Lee Kuan Yew, would the votes swing towards the PAP? Or would the PAP stand behind Mr Lee's words of "If you want to be popular all the time, you would misgovern"?
Singaporeans today now understand the legacy of what the PAP has done for many years under Lee Kuan Yew. To elect based on meritocracy, people should choose the best to govern the land. Both the PAP and opposition need to walk out of the shadow of the giants and shine through with their best ability and efforts in making Singapore an even better place. Or risk the fate of meritocracy and being voted out due to someone who can govern better.
Related Posts
谁是李光耀？LKY101
For young Singaporeans: Who is Lee Kuan Yew 李光耀 ?
Who is Lee Kuan Yew to you? (Timeline of Prime Ministers around the World)
Lee Kuan Yew - Massive Funeral Turn Out
Lee Kuan Yew - Obituary Condolences from World Leaders
Lest we forget - Mr Lee Kuan Yew's Team
Singaporeans in Sydney - Remembering Lee Kuan Yew
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