Battle to save vanishing values
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_728828.html
Published on Oct 31, 2011
MR DAVID Mason offers a good review of Singapore's success but concludes with a stark but well-intended reminder that Asians have a tradition of respect for their elders and Singaporeans are in danger of losing it; and if they do, they will put Singapore at risk ('Singapore's success: An observer's take'; last Thursday).
The vanishing tradition of respecting elders is just the tip of the iceberg and Mr Mason has diplomatically skirted the other Singaporean values which are also in danger of extinction.
How many of us have ever taken a serious look at the issue and linked it to Singapore's long-term survival?
Are we still unaware of the potential danger and do we need foreigners like Mr Mason to remind us not to part with our Asian traditions?
We, young and old, should do some soul-searching ourselves.
We must rethink the relevance and importance of mother tongue languages and their role in conveying traditions and values to the young.
Ponder why our first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew sent his three children to Chinese-language schools and what he wanted them to learn when they were children.
Re-examine our current approach of exposing and teaching mother tongue languages to our young and look for better ways for them to achieve the twin objectives of mastering the languages and acquiring traditional values.
Traditional values across our multi-cultures should be taught in English so that everyone can acquire them regardless of race and level of proficiency in one's mother tongue.
Ng Ya Ken
http://www.straitstimes.com/STForum/OnlineStory/STIStory_728828.html
Published on Oct 31, 2011
MR DAVID Mason offers a good review of Singapore's success but concludes with a stark but well-intended reminder that Asians have a tradition of respect for their elders and Singaporeans are in danger of losing it; and if they do, they will put Singapore at risk ('Singapore's success: An observer's take'; last Thursday).
The vanishing tradition of respecting elders is just the tip of the iceberg and Mr Mason has diplomatically skirted the other Singaporean values which are also in danger of extinction.
How many of us have ever taken a serious look at the issue and linked it to Singapore's long-term survival?
Are we still unaware of the potential danger and do we need foreigners like Mr Mason to remind us not to part with our Asian traditions?
We, young and old, should do some soul-searching ourselves.
We must rethink the relevance and importance of mother tongue languages and their role in conveying traditions and values to the young.
Ponder why our first prime minister Lee Kuan Yew sent his three children to Chinese-language schools and what he wanted them to learn when they were children.
Re-examine our current approach of exposing and teaching mother tongue languages to our young and look for better ways for them to achieve the twin objectives of mastering the languages and acquiring traditional values.
Traditional values across our multi-cultures should be taught in English so that everyone can acquire them regardless of race and level of proficiency in one's mother tongue.
Ng Ya Ken