Education 02 (Sep 09 - Jul 10)

[millionairemind]

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong, in a speech delivered at the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) Students' Union ministerial forum last September, said that the Government will, over time, sharpen the differentiation between Singapore citizens, PRs and foreigners to reflect the responsibilities and privileges of citizenship.

better late than never.... it just puzzles me why this was not even ingrained in the thought process right from the beginning....

this is like patching up a badly inflicted wound.... it can heal...but the scar will remain for a long time...

Cos' its only in recent years that the grumblings on the ground is heard in the heavens

[kennynah]

oh...i think they knew from a long time ago... they just didn't think it was necessary to act on it...

the citizenry rights above all others is as plain simple as daylight.... it doesn't take too much for anyone sensible to understand this

[la papillion]

Are you saying the almighty are not sensible?

[kennynah]

afraid you misread my meaning

[la papillion]

afraid you misread my meaning

Haha, almighty refers to those in powers Just joking

[millionairemind]

Its been almost 2 months since the new school year has started. I think our school system should bring back caning again to put naughty children in their right place.

The Mrs. told me that there is this kid called Timothy in the school. T gets into fights with other kids and bullies the girls in his class on a daily basis. When the teacher receives a complaint from one of the victims, all she can do is ask T to apologize to his victim. A boy got a black eye from him.

Yes, T does apologize, but he repeats the same act tomorrow again. Calling the parents is of no use. The mum also uses the same "apologize to your classmates" trick which is completely pointless.

If I were the father of one of the victims, how about I ask my son to give T a black eye and then ask my son to "JUST SAY SORRY" to T and his mother??

The problem is that there is NOT ENOUGH PAIN linked to the negative behavior for T.

A public caning should work just fine.

[winston]

There's a program in the States called "Scared Stiff" where they bring kids like Timothy to listen to hard core criminals.

It's good for the kids to be scared still so they would choose wisely and it's good for the inmates because they feel that they are doing something worthwhile.

[kennynah]

hmmm... this is a dicey subject...

i recall, a few of my secondary mates were caned on stage in front of the entire assembly. i really don't know the kind of negative psychological trauma it had on these truant boys. i never kept in touch with them since we left school.

before choosing public caning as a deterrent and punishment, i think we must explore other means of educating T on what's acceptable and unacceptable behaviour. for example:

a) sending T to a corner during class if he misbehaves, thereby ostracising and emotionally punishing him for his bad behaviour. the rest of the children will also learn that they too will be sent to a corner if they misbehave.

b) suspension from school if he persistently misbehaves. this way, the parents will feel the impact directly and understand that T is too disruptive in school. if both parents are working adults, this could be an added advantage in penalizing them for the inconveniences arising from having to arrange for T to be looked after

generally, i am quite against publicly caning a child. most children are just unaware of their bad behaviour until they are seriously taught on the socially acceptable behaviour. now, if caning has to be done, i suggest that it should be done within closed doors. if pain should be the deterrent, then there's no need to publicly humiliate a child, which can cause irreparable psychological damage.

ask yourself this question : if your child seriously misbehaves in a social gathering in the presence of your friends, will you publicly slap or cane your child? or would you first warn him/her of the consequences and then carry out the punishment only upon reaching home? if you can't bring yourself to publicly shame your errorneous child, no other children should have to face this ordeal either.

children being children, they are poised to be naughty and mischievous.... it is in their nature... remember, we were once children too...we might not know it even now that there were adults who used to show us leniency and compassion and educated us patiently...i dare not believe that i was never a pain beyond the need to be caned but was not.... we must do the same to our children today...

that's just my unqualified opinion....

[millionairemind]

hmmm... this is a dicey subject...

i recall, a few of my secondary mates were caned on stage in front of the entire assembly. i really don't know the kind of negative psychological trauma it had on these truant boys. i never kept in touch with them since we left school.

Wah, caning in secondary school is serious stuff. Means the boys were either caught smoking (?) or involved in gang activities??

I like your suggestion to suspend him from school to "inconvenient" the parents till he behaves

If this still doesn't work, maybe physical punishment behind close doors will

I remember this kid from when I was in Primary school. Same problem. I saw him being publicly caned once during assembly. It of course, scared the hell out of those present.

Given your patience, you will make a terrific dad.

[kennynah]

i say say oni...becos say is always easy....doing is the tough part....