What is wrong with our system?

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:44:09 GMT

Sun_2010 — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:44:09 GMT

kiddo:
UncleLim:
[quote=\"Donkey Kong\"]Why there are no Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Faraday, James Watt, etc.? Oh ya, Sim Wong Hoo is running out of steam.

why?
the government started out building this country's economyby educating us (and now our children) to be employees for foreign MNCs.
In the same way, global businesses cannot be created in our overly-engineered society. Spend a month in Shenzhen China and you will get a sense of what entrepreneurship is.

If we ( the Super parents) dare to take the Risk and let our children run free and dream , we will have a born and breed SG Nobel laureates one day....
I am still dreaming :rahrah: :rahrah:[/quote]Keep dreaming

No seriously i mean it.
If one cant even dream of it then the chances of achieving it is zero.

Nobel Prize winners, Steve Jobs, and ilk make way - here we come :celebrate:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:33:36 GMT

kiddo — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:33:36 GMT

UncleLim:
Donkey Kong:
Why there are no Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Faraday, James Watt, etc.? Oh ya, Sim Wong Hoo is running out of steam.

why?
the government started out building this country's economyby educating us (and now our children) to be employees for foreign MNCs.
In the same way, global businesses cannot be created in our overly-engineered society. Spend a month in Shenzhen China and you will get a sense of what entrepreneurship is.

If we ( the Super parents) dare to take the Risk and let our children run free and dream , we will have a born and breed SG Nobel laureates one day....
I am still dreaming :rahrah: :rahrah:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:12:06 GMT

UncleLim — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 09:12:06 GMT

Donkey Kong:
Singaporeans in general did very well in schools and many are doing better. Our kids Maths+Science are top in the world.

Why there are no Bill Gates, Steve Jobs, Thomas Edison, Faraday, James Watt, etc.? Oh ya, Sim Wong Hoo is running out of steam. Creative Share drops a lot. Nobody helping him?

Our CSM - Chartered Semi Conductor selling away. Taiwan TSMC does very well and listed in NYSE. Where are our SMART Alexes?

We are only scorers? No doers?

Why?

There are no really successful global entrepreneur from Singapore and that is because the government started out building this country's economy by educating us (and now our children) to be employees for foreign MNCs.

This policy is still in force today. The general push is to increase the number of engineers and technicians to fill the factories. Now that the government wants to go the high tech research and high finance route, the war cry will be for postgraduate studies and finance/banking education.

The fact that we are all on this forum shows how much we have been herded along, pushing our kids to score those A*s so that they will not end up at the bottom of the pile.

Geniuses and Nobel laureates are not born out of countless hours at Learning Lab or Mindchamp. In the same way, global businesses cannot be created in our overly-engineered society.

Spend a month in Shenzhen China and you will get a sense of what entrepreneurship is. Everyone gets a fair shot at success. The chances are of course better with the right knowledge, sufficient capital and connections.

We can keep dreaming but the chances are as good as producing world-class footballers without having the open spaces to kick a ball around in.

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Wed, 12 May 2010 05:25:24 GMT

Donkey Kong — Wed, 12 May 2010 05:25:24 GMT

kiddo:
Donkey Kong:
Read on Yahoo news: Chinese tourists came to Singapore to spend $100k on branded goods. The Singapore shop owners are so happy.

Thot they were earning RMB$600 as university professors, many were very lowly paid not very long ago? :?

How they do it? Why our system does not allow us to boom like dat? Our salary did not increase so fast that we can go neighbouring countries and spend S$100k on branded goods every year.?? :?
You are in the wrong country

:rotflmao: :spank: :rotflmao: :spank: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Or this country using the wrong OS? (Operating System)

What are the benefits of being the citizens of a RICH nation? :? :love:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Tue, 11 May 2010 11:35:47 GMT

kiddo — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:35:47 GMT

Donkey Kong:
Read on Yahoo news: Chinese tourists came to Singapore to spend $100k on branded goods. The Singapore shop owners are so happy.

Thot they were earning RMB$600 as university professors, many were very lowly paid not very long ago? :?

How they do it? Why our system does not allow us to boom like dat? Our salary did not increase so fast that we can go neighbouring countries and spend S$100k on branded goods every year.?? :?

You are in the wrong country

:rotflmao: :spank: :rotflmao: :spank: :rotflmao: :rotflmao:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Tue, 11 May 2010 11:15:00 GMT

Donkey Kong — Tue, 11 May 2010 11:15:00 GMT

Read on Yahoo news: Chinese tourists came to Singapore to spend $100k on branded goods. The Singapore shop owners are so happy.

Thot they were earning RMB$600 as university professors, many were very lowly paid not very long ago? :?

How they do it? Why our system does not allow us to boom like dat? Our salary did not increase so fast that we can go neighbouring countries and spend S$100k on branded goods every year.?? :?

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Sat, 08 May 2010 10:44:26 GMT

kiddo — Sat, 08 May 2010 10:44:26 GMT

Donkey Kong:
With my knowledge, I make a very good teacher for those keen to learn. :lol:

But, facing a rebellous kid, who refused to learn.... I am clueless.
That's why my friend's tuition centre has entrance exams... :!: He only takes in the good students.

:celebrate:

Then slow kid then how dont take :spank: :pokeeye: :torchme:

Rebellious kid not necessary no good kid ...as a teacher you know the
pre- requisite ...P.A.T.I.E.N.C.E

I Salute teacher that is teaching because is their calling not just a job.
Teachers like this have all that is required to plant the seed in any child
which in time will become a Rose. ( this is a very nice song). :love:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Fri, 07 May 2010 12:15:18 GMT

Donkey Kong — Fri, 07 May 2010 12:15:18 GMT

Remembered I had one classmate from Taiwan. He was very keen in electronics. He made all sorts of interesting gadgets, buying his parts from SimLim. He sold some of his 'products' to the shops too. :celebrate:

He didn't do very well in the exams and he was posted the the building estate mgmt. Think he rejected the course and went elsewhere. May be we have lost one good Taiwanese New Citizen. He would have stayed if he was posted to EEE. (electronics engrg) :shock:

Saw some post on another website, Govt is recruiting engineers from Taiwan. I notice they are very enterprising and good in their fields though they may not be fluent in English. Is there something good about Taiwan pri/sec education we can learn?
:?

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 17:52:55 GMT

Donkey Kong — Thu, 06 May 2010 17:52:55 GMT

With my knowledge, I make a very good teacher for those keen to learn. :lol:

But, facing a rebellous kid, who refused to learn.... I am clueless.

That's why my friend's tuition centre has entrance exams... :!: He only takes in the good students.

:celebrate:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 12:31:16 GMT

kiddo — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:31:16 GMT

Donkey Kong:

Sorry, I always very strict to my students. :love: I want them to learn.

Liddat si liao......you work so hard for your child to go to school and
even diligently help with homework so they learn then how?

Children are different from our days whether rich or poor no different .......Parent create a bery comfortable environment for
them so they do better than us so we hope :?

You strict here but no strict there and everywhere me Confused liao :slapshead: :slapshead: :cheeky:

Parent +Child+ Teacher+ Environment =Good Fit = Child Flourish :idea:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 12:18:25 GMT

Donkey Kong — Thu, 06 May 2010 12:18:25 GMT

When they made it to the GEP, they should know others expectation on them is very high.

He/she claimed Chinese is his/her \"favourite\" subject. She/he must be Chinese lover.

Yes, we did memorise some good sentences in Foreign language classes to score in exams. No excuse for Chinese becoz there is lots of exposure. Ch.8, Ch.U, 93.3, 100.3, 97.2, 95.8 radios. Mr Alamak and Mark Lee can come out with creative mandarin phrases, that make us laugh.... :love:

Unless, this person is angmo-pie GEP student. But, not leh.... :lol: angmo-pie student hate chinese... :?

Sorry, I always very strict to my students. :love: I want them to learn.

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 11:45:32 GMT

kiddo — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:45:32 GMT

Donkey Kong:
I think that person is a GEP at secondary level. As a chinese lover, I think memorising sentences to write in exam, shows the inconfidence in the language. :lol: Why like dat?

Must be able to write with feelings..... if that is your favourite subject. :celebrate:

Primary level, ok lah... :lol: secondary GEP? Have to be creative. not kopi cat. :love:

Imagine learning Chinese in totally English orientated environment in school, home and socially .
As adult this love of the language must be instill in the child at a very young age and it will not end up learning for mark sake. Parent need to know here :?

But then if because of your chinese score you have to forfeit a Good school...bor wah right so chiong lah anyway to get the grades

JUST DO IT ! - courtesy of NIke advertisement ...

Also hor many gadget in Asia is also manufactured and improved by copying from others ... :P...

As SG progress , Life become bery competitive ...we moderate our life style to suit or not to suit Our Choice :cheeky: ......

So you encouraged Chinese to be learn and appreciated ....the GEP student done it in his/her way so The Chinese Language is perpetuated
in a way from her/him then to the next generation - Positive hor

Dont discourage lah ......
I see many English school child give up learning all together the cHinese lanaguage then how ...
and worse Migrate ... the language is then totally lost for many generation

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 11:44:30 GMT

Donkey Kong — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:44:30 GMT

I think this person is from GEP secondary sch level.

Primary sch level is ok to memorise to learn... :lol:

But at secondary sch level, and GEP, I think he/she should be able to be creative to form his/her own sentences, esp, he/she mentioned Chinese is his/her favourite subjects.

Memorising sentences to ace in exams was like we learning foreign languages (french, jap, german) to ace in exams. Lack confidence. Chinese language, we can watch/feel daily on Ch.8, I think ordinary pple also can form their own creative phrases... I am just disappointed with GEP.

Why like dat? :? Creativity not emphasized at GEP level?

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 11:40:42 GMT

Blobbi — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:40:42 GMT

Donkey Kong:
I think that person is a GEP at secondary level. As a chinese lover, I think memorising sentences to write in exam, shows the inconfidence in the language. :lol: Why like dat?

Must be able to write with feelings..... if that is your favourite subject. :celebrate:

Primary level, ok lah... :lol: secondary GEP? Have to be creative. not kopi cat. :love:

Donkey Kong,

I read that thread too. I applaud the guy for being so kind to give tips to the parents and kids on the forum. We all have our own ways of doing things, and you possibly have yours. So if you don't mind, please don't discourage others from helping out.

What does it make us if we spit at the kindness of strangers.

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 11:20:59 GMT

Donkey Kong — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:20:59 GMT

I think that person is a GEP at secondary level. As a chinese lover, I think memorising sentences to write in exam, shows the inconfidence in the language. :lol: Why like dat?

Must be able to write with feelings..... if that is your favourite subject. :celebrate:

Primary level, ok lah... :lol: secondary GEP? Have to be creative. not kopi cat. :love:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 11:12:42 GMT

kiddo — Thu, 06 May 2010 11:12:42 GMT

Donkey Kong:
Just saw the other thread contributed by a GEP student.

I am surprised when he/she mentioned: Chinese - favourite subject.
Memorising Chinese sentences to ace the exams. Alamak, I thot GEP teachers will teach them to be creative, form own's beautiful sentences. :idea:

Is GEP just kiasuism being brought forward to primary level? :!:

Learning Chinese by Memory is not a bad thing....I send boi to Chinese school in China every year for 1 month and he came back and
told me the chinese kids are smart and they can memorise a long chapter in one night word for word. :imanangel:

In the process of memorising you pick up words and phrases usage and also learn Chinese in a way ...why not... no words how to form beautiful sentences?? :?

Chinese is symbol and not like English in alphabet form.

Training your memory and learning at the same time have a 2 fold effect , dont you think so ? :idea:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Thu, 06 May 2010 10:57:49 GMT

Donkey Kong — Thu, 06 May 2010 10:57:49 GMT

Just saw the other thread contributed by a GEP student.

It is nice that he/she shared some exam tips. But, these are old tricks used by KS students since many many years ago. :lol:

I am surprised when he/she mentioned: Chinese - favourite subject.
Memorising Chinese sentences to ace the exams. Alamak, I thot GEP teachers will teach them to be creative, form own's beautiful sentences. :idea:

Build relations with seniors.... :oops: This trick unis students very familar. Borrow their past reports/projects and copy lah... save time. :celebrate:

Is GEP just kiasuism being brought forward to primary level? :!:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Wed, 05 May 2010 04:54:00 GMT

Donkey Kong — Wed, 05 May 2010 04:54:00 GMT

LOLMum:
Donkey Kong:
:?:

hi donkey king,

just wonder if your kid want to give up his fat pay check and be a hawker, would you give him your support?

There was a news article about some graduates who gave up their good jobs to be hawkers some years ago, does anyone remember?

i am sure there are many young, undiscovered and successful entrepreneurs out there. give them another 10 years and we shall see if we have our own \"samsung\", or \"ting tai feng\" etc.

i am proud of our own \"breadtalk\", \"katong laska\".

Not necessary a hawker. Set up a system which can run without your participation (passive income). :idea: Hawker every morning has to jiaga the secret recipe... very siong. Example, McDonald, the founder needs to jiaga secret recipe? Business school lecturers always said McDonald is selling properties, no burgers.

If you look into history, most entrepreneurs have gone thru hardship, may not be broken families, etc. Our kids just too comfortable. Look at my colleagues, some are too comfortable. Ask them to chip in $5k to start a business, all chicken out. hahahaa

We cannot pass down our degrees to future generations. $? How much can we accomulate without doing business? lottery may be.
Right, we can only pass down businesses..... to our future generation.
:celebrate:

From zero to public listing, average about 8 yrs. So, start working! :celebrate:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Mon, 03 May 2010 04:28:28 GMT

toddles — Mon, 03 May 2010 04:28:28 GMT

I was really impressed by the Paradise Inn guy. Only 32 and has such a successful chain of restaurants. he also started from humble bkground, just a zi char assistant when he was in his twenties i think.

but these people are very rare. they have exceptional drive and talent.

not everyone who ‘opts-out’ of the mainstream system is successful. we always read of those who ‘make it’. the sim wong hoos and the oft quoted example of einstein who failed exams. but there are many many more who failed exams and are not einstein right?

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Sun, 02 May 2010 08:08:28 GMT

kiddo — Sun, 02 May 2010 08:08:28 GMT

autumnbronze:
Busymom:
[quote=\"ksi\"]Contentment.

Second that!

Third that, ladies

Clear as ABC wat :roll:[/quote] :celebrate: and the best you can make of the system with your kid in tow we not the best but definitely safe and not the worse
if you care to look around the world

we got roof over head cloth to wear school to go to places
to wander around safely ..... anything else we need

bigger pay check definitely good
more degrees can also
bigger cars and houses good leh

but if we look up neber enough if we look down okiee leh
so place your bet :hi5:

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Sat, 01 May 2010 06:58:35 GMT

adhdadhd — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:58:35 GMT

sleepy:
LOLMum:

i am proud of our own \"breadtalk\", \"katong laska\".
Just to add:
sakae sushi, select catering

Breadtalk involve Taiwanese investments and Taiwanese innovations, which is also a Japanese innov... not very Singaporean, I am afraid.
it comes after
Yah Koon - which is really Singaporean's.

Katong Lakso has yet to be international brand...

Sakae sushi, original concept traceable to Japan too...
Select catering.. not too sure...

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Sat, 01 May 2010 06:06:16 GMT

Lock — Sat, 01 May 2010 06:06:16 GMT

Is there something wrong with the system? It really depends on which perspective you look at it.

No doubt our country does not produce the likes of Bill gates etc…but our education system ensures that majority of the citizens has a minimal education up to tertiary level (ITE, Poly). A large population is literate here in Singapore. Many can read, speak, write and count quite comfortably (not to the thesis and research level but good enough for day-to day functions). This is the education system in Singapore.

Over at the States, they have their very bright sparks but what happen to the majority of the people, the commoners (so to speak). I have friends who are living in the States and Australia and they often find a large handful of Grade 4 kids (ard 10yrs old) unable to write or count as like our 10yrs old. They too have met adults who cannot read to save their lives. But, they are more vocal, creative and risk-takers. So, is their system a better one?

IMO, every system serves a purpose and there is no perfect system that can make everyone happy. Living in Singapore, we just have to learn to adapt and if by adapting u find that it compromises on your principals and belief, then do look for other system that serves ur needs. There’s no shame in migrating and choose a country that u think can make u a better citizen. That’s my humble opinion.

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:18:33 GMT

sleepy — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:18:33 GMT

LOLMum:

i am proud of our own \"breadtalk\", \"katong laska\".

Just to add:
sakae sushi, select catering

Reply to What is wrong with our system? on Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:52:02 GMT

LOLMum — Fri, 30 Apr 2010 13:52:02 GMT

Donkey Kong:
For Singapore to succeed in future, next 50 yrs, we need elite entrepreneurs to do us proud. If you go to IT Show, Acer, Gigabyte, HTC, MSI, Logitech, Samsung, LG... Samsung has come out with new 3D LCD TV. Taiwanese, Koreans must be very proud of these. :celebrate:

Yes, how to make our young ones elite entrepreneurs? :? Is there something we lacking that is making our elites so keen to work for others? (salaried employees) instead of starting our own 'Samsung' or 'LG'. :?:

hi donkey king,

just wonder if your kid want to give up his fat pay check and be a hawker, would you give him your support?

There was a news article about some graduates who gave up their good jobs to be hawkers some years ago, does anyone remember?

i am sure there are many young, undiscovered and successful entrepreneurs out there. give them another 10 years and we shall see if we have our own \"samsung\", or \"ting tai feng\" etc.

i am proud of our own \"breadtalk\", \"katong laska\".