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I REFER to the report on Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's speech, 'Give new arrivals the time to adapt' (Aug 14), and letters on immigration and privileges of citizens and permanent residents (PRs).
Reading excerpts of MM's speech on integration and PRs reinforces the fact that his visionary leadership has brought Singapore the success we now enjoy, which is a contrast to the short-sighted view about whether to welcome foreigners.
Reaction on the subject of balloting for Primary 1 places involving Phase 2C places (in which children of PRs are eligible) gives the misleading conclusion that enrolling a child in a 'top' school is a guarantee of future academic success. These letters further argue that children of PRs should not be entitled to compete with Singaporeans for a place in the school of their choice. I beg to differ.
First, having PR students thrown in the mix will benefit Singaporean students in the long run. Schools will have international exposure which will improve the social skills of students.
Second, PR students provide healthy competition and remind us we must constantly upgrade ourselves.
Third, for every Singaporean who complains about foreign students competing under Phase 2C, there are also Singaporeans from less-well-off families who complain about well-to-do families who buy or rent property just to qualify under Phase 2C.
Online search engine Yahoo became a global name because its co-founder and former chief executive officer Jerry Yang moved from Taiwan to the United States, was educated in the US, became a citizen and founded a company which created many jobs.
He could do so primarily because of a liberal US immigration policy and an embracing education platform. Perhaps Singapore can cultivate successful entrepreneurs in future if we are more open-minded about foreigners.
Biologically, it makes sense to bring in foreign talent to take up PR status. Our future Singaporeans will be of higher quality when Singaporeans include a foreign gene pool.
We should be open-minded about integration, embrace change and take challenges in our stride for the sake of future generations.
Harry Ng
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_420873.html
Reading excerpts of MM's speech on integration and PRs reinforces the fact that his visionary leadership has brought Singapore the success we now enjoy, which is a contrast to the short-sighted view about whether to welcome foreigners.
Reaction on the subject of balloting for Primary 1 places involving Phase 2C places (in which children of PRs are eligible) gives the misleading conclusion that enrolling a child in a 'top' school is a guarantee of future academic success. These letters further argue that children of PRs should not be entitled to compete with Singaporeans for a place in the school of their choice. I beg to differ.
First, having PR students thrown in the mix will benefit Singaporean students in the long run. Schools will have international exposure which will improve the social skills of students.
Second, PR students provide healthy competition and remind us we must constantly upgrade ourselves.
Third, for every Singaporean who complains about foreign students competing under Phase 2C, there are also Singaporeans from less-well-off families who complain about well-to-do families who buy or rent property just to qualify under Phase 2C.
Online search engine Yahoo became a global name because its co-founder and former chief executive officer Jerry Yang moved from Taiwan to the United States, was educated in the US, became a citizen and founded a company which created many jobs.
He could do so primarily because of a liberal US immigration policy and an embracing education platform. Perhaps Singapore can cultivate successful entrepreneurs in future if we are more open-minded about foreigners.
Biologically, it makes sense to bring in foreign talent to take up PR status. Our future Singaporeans will be of higher quality when Singaporeans include a foreign gene pool.
We should be open-minded about integration, embrace change and take challenges in our stride for the sake of future generations.
Harry Ng
http://www.straitstimes.com/ST+Forum/Story/STIStory_420873.html
