Date : 21 March 2011
by SG United Journalist Keith Low Sheng Hng of Hwa Chong Institution
The National Community Engagement Programme (CEP) Dialogue on 19 Mar 2011 was graced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. The annual event kicked off with a speech by PM Lee and culminated in a dialogue session where community leaders gave feedback and posed questions to a panel of Ministers.
The Prime Minister’s speech stressed on the global situation surrounding the world now, be it from the terror groups operating worldwide or the events occurring currently in the Middle East and North Africa, will inevitably have an impact on Singapore.
Personally, I felt that the highlight of the session was the dialogue session where several ministers took questions from the audience. During the dialogue session, many issues were brought up, but most prominently, the issues surrounding youths.
There were many views, some felt that youths are apathetic and do not care about the potential problems brought by racial and religious disharmony, while others feel that the youths of today need more “hand-holding” than the previous generation. There was also a feedback that youths may feel that National Education was rhetoric.
Personally, I do feel that National Education is brought to us in a rather straightforward manner and in a relatively idealistic manner. It forces you to understand it through understanding but not through application. Therefore, it will be hard for students to then display their ability when called for in situations.
Although some might feel that youths are not proactive and committed, many student representatives felt that is not our lack of passion or conviction, but more importantly, the lack of opportunities. Youths, given the bountiful knowledge they already possess, will rather seize chances for them to be gain more practical exposure.
Indeed, given the opportunity, youths can be empowered. One prominent example will be the CEP Exchange that took place between Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section) and Greenridge Secondary School in late August last year.
A group of Hwa Chong Institution students visited Greenridge Secondary School for a one-week immersion programme. Being part of the group, we were paired with either Malay or Indian students. It was an occasion that not only allowed us to understand the religious practices of the Muslims and Hindus, we were also exposed to the students who , unlike us, are in the Express, Normal Academic or Normal Technical stream. It was certainly a breathtaking experience.
When given the chance to participate in such an exchange, many students will seize it. And, I believe that activities that will cultivate a student’s interest in national affairs will be the most practical method to inculcate important values in our youths.