It is good practice to have your ear to the ground and take feedback seriously. Sure, decision- and policy-makers have the 'big picture' and all, but the 'small pictures' are also important. Here are pieces of news in TODAY, which show that the small pictures must be taken into account.
1. Parking labels for the 'disabled'
I was appalled to read this letter 'Unable, so why not "disabled"?' Due to the stringent criteria for issuing special parking labels for the use of handicap lots, this young lady, who has an incurable lung condition, needs to carry a portable oxygen tank and can't walk up stairs (and also long distances, I think) was denied the parking label. This despite her submitting the required medical documentation. I really cannot think why some flexibility could not be exercised but my guess is that the officers in-charge of dishing out the labels are not the real decision- or policy-maker and thus cannot exercise their own judgement.
I think it does not speak well for our society when we cannot accommodate the needs of the minority.
I've mentioned this before and I will say again that many of these mobility problems could be helped if ALL HDB (and other - but HDB should set the example, right? -) multi-storey car parks have lifts. WHY were they planned and built without lifts, which are essential for the elderly, people with young children, people of all ages with difficulty walking, people who need to carry loads of stuff, etc? And let me not start on other public places which resisted installing lifts because they were not economically viable.
2. 'Taking NE beyond books '
The idea now is to 'infuse(d) NE into the child's overall learning experience'. Actually, I thought all along that that was how it was supposed to be, but apparently not. Wouldn't some student/teacher feedback earlier on have brought forth such revelations as: 'For our older students especially, activities they plan and organise themselves are the most effective learning opportunities. A top-down or mandated approach to NE is a sure turn-off for older students.' Why wait till now to ask 'students to give them ideas on how NE can be improved'?
Anyhow, I think many people have got big misconceptions about NE. It's not just a 'communist', 'brain-washing' thing. I'm a big supporter of NE; I think it is supremely important for all children to grow up with a competent understanding of their country. It has also been carried for years in many democratic countries, such as the UK, Australia and Canada. In the USA, primary school age children are taught about their country's constitution. There is nothing to be shy about but, yes, do make it more meaningful.
3. 'Going forth to multiply'
There is this National Population Committee to deal with our population growth problems. In it are 2 lady MPS and 6 (male) Cabinet ministers. The Committee is supported by the National Population Secretariat, headed by a male perm sec. Hopefully, there will be more ear given to the female perspective. Hopefully, also, they will really put their ears to the ground to hear from ordinary, regular people about why they aren't having children, aren't having more children, aren't getting married, aren't returning to Singapore, etc.
Especially when part of the Secretariat's work is also to 'convince Singaporeans that they do not lose out with more immigration'...
1. Parking labels for the 'disabled'
I was appalled to read this letter 'Unable, so why not "disabled"?' Due to the stringent criteria for issuing special parking labels for the use of handicap lots, this young lady, who has an incurable lung condition, needs to carry a portable oxygen tank and can't walk up stairs (and also long distances, I think) was denied the parking label. This despite her submitting the required medical documentation. I really cannot think why some flexibility could not be exercised but my guess is that the officers in-charge of dishing out the labels are not the real decision- or policy-maker and thus cannot exercise their own judgement.
I think it does not speak well for our society when we cannot accommodate the needs of the minority.
I've mentioned this before and I will say again that many of these mobility problems could be helped if ALL HDB (and other - but HDB should set the example, right? -) multi-storey car parks have lifts. WHY were they planned and built without lifts, which are essential for the elderly, people with young children, people of all ages with difficulty walking, people who need to carry loads of stuff, etc? And let me not start on other public places which resisted installing lifts because they were not economically viable.
2. 'Taking NE beyond books '
The idea now is to 'infuse(d) NE into the child's overall learning experience'. Actually, I thought all along that that was how it was supposed to be, but apparently not. Wouldn't some student/teacher feedback earlier on have brought forth such revelations as: 'For our older students especially, activities they plan and organise themselves are the most effective learning opportunities. A top-down or mandated approach to NE is a sure turn-off for older students.' Why wait till now to ask 'students to give them ideas on how NE can be improved'?
Anyhow, I think many people have got big misconceptions about NE. It's not just a 'communist', 'brain-washing' thing. I'm a big supporter of NE; I think it is supremely important for all children to grow up with a competent understanding of their country. It has also been carried for years in many democratic countries, such as the UK, Australia and Canada. In the USA, primary school age children are taught about their country's constitution. There is nothing to be shy about but, yes, do make it more meaningful.
3. 'Going forth to multiply'
There is this National Population Committee to deal with our population growth problems. In it are 2 lady MPS and 6 (male) Cabinet ministers. The Committee is supported by the National Population Secretariat, headed by a male perm sec. Hopefully, there will be more ear given to the female perspective. Hopefully, also, they will really put their ears to the ground to hear from ordinary, regular people about why they aren't having children, aren't having more children, aren't getting married, aren't returning to Singapore, etc.
Especially when part of the Secretariat's work is also to 'convince Singaporeans that they do not lose out with more immigration'...
cartoon from here
P.S. I do not at all think that it's easy being a decision- or policy-maker.
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