Discussion on Dr Ong Teck Chin

[jencrs]

3Boys:

Save the snarkiness please, it merely obfuscates and I have dealt with far worse. If you want to talk about the issues, then talk about the issues.


You say that it is more than hurt feelings, but when I asked in a previous post about what your quibble was, you demurred on critiquing his credentials as a educationist, and his need to exhibit leadership behaviours. So what exactly is it that makes you unhappy?

The question you posed is not an analogy, it is hypothetical. There is a difference. But if you must, my view is that being 'disloyal' to a school is different from being disloyal to a nation by some magnitude, in some countries you can get hanged for that, as the stakes are much higher. That's why there is no law in preventing CEOs from switching companies, but there are laws in many countries that only citizens can hold top office. What is the stake in OTC advising a top ACSian to go to RI? A better developed individual for Singapore perhaps? I am finding it hard to see the downside of that.

Snarky? I'm only kidding la, because since you found it suitable to share something off topic like drinking cabernet, makaning dinner, talking with the wife, I thought I could go off-topic too. Just to fit in, you know? Added the wink just to make you feel better. And it's great that you've dealt badly with extra-snarky people before, we learn from our mistakes ya? So relax la, it's all good.

I'm going out to meet some friends for a cuppa and reflect, wearing my fav berms and a tshirt everyone's been telling me to throw away. It's been washed, just holes where there shouldn't be. I'll come back later, but in the meantime, just have a look with a sober eye at some of what i've posted earlier, so maybe I wouldn't have to repeat myself too much. ()

[autolycus]

3Boys:

What is the stake in OTC advising a top ACSian to go to RI? A better developed individual for Singapore perhaps? I am finding it hard to see the downside of that. You claim ACS for your own, but it is much bigger than that, and perhaps at that point in time, someone needed to be in place who understood that.

I quite understand your perspective. One should always (in the role of an educator) try to ensure that a student gets the best deal. We do it for them, and not for ourselves or out of our own preferences or loyalties.

If a student I found in ACS looked much more at home in an RI context, and if he qualified, I'd recommend RI at once. I would side OTC in such a case.

I would, however, distinguish between the role of educator on a personal level and educator on a public level. If the Coca-Cola CEO started recommending that, in general, everyone should switch to Pepsi, there'd be a problem of some sort. However, if on a personal level, he were to say, \"Hey, I see why you don't quite like my brand. Maybe my brand needs some changing. If you want something that is more to your liking, you might want to try Pepsi,\" I think he'd have my respect as well.

The key for independent schools, however, is the continuation of a certain kind of culture. That is one of the underlying premises behind the creation of these schools, as laid out in the February 1987 'Towards Excellence in Schools' report. In that sense, I'd want to monitor the CEO of such a school to see whether there were significant differences in expressed culture and cultural transmission while that CEO was in charge.

[Muffins]

heard from friends that the name of the teacher was put out in the newspaper…

[sunshinelove]

Muffins:

heard from friends that the name of the teacher was put out in the newspaper.... His name is Mark Ritchie Tan...

How is he as a teacher? Were you taught by him before?

[Sun_2010]

Muffins:

heard from friends that the name of the teacher was put out in the newspaper.... His name is Mark Ritchie Tan...

Hi Muffins,

You seem like a sensible young man.
I dont know if you saw a post from a parent advising discretion while putting up info online.

Not that you have put but do be cautious of the narrating personal interactions / opinions of any teacher in an online forum - especially negative ones.

-- Just another kiasu parent, lol!

[schweppes]

Muffins:

heard from friends that the name of the teacher was put out in the newspaper.... His name is Mark Ritchie Tan...

Hi Muffins

Agree with some of the parents that you need to be mindful of what you share and post. Do exercise care and caution. As you are still young, for certain issues, sometimes, silence is golden.

[verykiasu2010]

this is like watching Wimbledon

[jasmineong]

verykiasu2010:

this is like watching Wimbledon

A fierce fight, this one. Seems like a lot of people taking it personally. I feel kind of sorry of OCT but anyway till the truth comes out, I guess I will stay at the sidelines and watch the match here.

[schweppes]

Actually no need to fight lah, as long as we agree to disagree. Reading the discussion here, my critical thinking skills have improved by leaps and bounds!

[verykiasu2010]

schweppes:

Actually no need to fight lah, as long as we agree to disagree. Reading the discussion here, my critical thinking skills have improved by leaps and bounds!

sama sama