Forum: Children learn moral values through observing behaviour of adults

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the crucial role of moral values in education and the shared responsibility between schools and parents in shaping a child’s character.

While pre-schools cultivate crucial skills like critical thinking and creativity, the foundational values of respect, responsibility and resilience are best nurtured within the family.

Children are natural observers and imitators, constantly learning from the people around them. As kindness is often “caught, not taught”, parents and educators have an important role given the time spent with each child. Pre-school educators may have the most consistent presence in the student’s waking time, and it is important that moral values are reinforced in the school.

Qn: 'The most important responsibility of parents is to teach their children values.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2024 Syllabus 8807)

A second chance under new law to strengthen racial harmony in Singapore

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There were cases that led to prosecution. In most instances, these incidents left more than just a sour taste – they also revealed the absence of structured avenues for reconciliation or rehabilitation for the “offender”.

The Maintenance of Racial Harmony Bill, therefore, is a timely initiative that reinforces Singapore’s dedication to unity and mutual respect....focus on reparative measures, prioritising rehabilitation and reconciliation through the introduction of the new Community Remedial Initiative (CRI)...By prioritising education, rehabilitation and community engagement, the Bill addresses racial discord in a holistic and sustainable manner.

Criminal prosecution alone does not facilitate the reparation of community ties.

By requiring alleged offenders to engage meaningfully with affected communities, it promotes healing, reduces stigmatisation and fosters a culture of understanding and redemption. It also enables alleged offenders to learn from their actions and make amends, thereby easing social tensions.

Qn: 'Rehabilitation, not punishment, should be the purpose of the justice system.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2017)

‘Plastic won’t affect a shark’: Trump signs order against paper straws, saying they ‘explode’

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“We’re going back to plastic straws,”

“I don’t think that plastic is going to affect a shark as they’re eating, as they’re munching their way through the ocean,” said Mr Trump.

He pulled out of the Paris climate change agreement soon after his inauguration on Jan 20 and has pledged to “drill, baby, drill” for oil. 

Forum: Parents and schools have different roles to play in teaching children values

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Qn: 'The most important responsibility of parents is to teach their children values.’ Discuss. (Cam. 2024 Syllabus 8807)

Grab-GoTo merger could boost their market share in S-E Asia, but deal unlikely to get nod: Analysts

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would enable the combined entity to reduce costs, achieve economies of scale and strengthen its market position

possible concerns over potential monopolistic behaviour,

while Grab could lower fares to compete with rivals like GoTo, a price war would be unsustainable as recovering losses from undercutting competitors could take years.

‘if you can’t beat them, join hands with them’ scenario.”

Qns:

1. Is competition always desirable? (Cam. 2016)

2. Do you agree that competition, not collaboration, is more important for society to progress?

Forum: Incorporate financial literacy and healthy living into mainstream education

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MOE's reply: HERE [Forum: Financial literacy and healthy living incorporated in school curricula]

Qns:

1. ‘Education today should involve more than the study of academic subjects.’ How far do you agree? (Cam. 2024)

2. ‘Schools should teach practical skills such as cooking and managing finances.‘ Do you agree? Why or why not? ('O' lvl 2023)

After an overdose of techno-optimism, we need a pinch of scepticism

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Thalidomide, an active ingredient in a German-developed drug, was initially hailed as a cure for anxiety and nausea in pregnant women and marketed globally with little regard for the long-term consequences. It wasn’t until thousands of babies died prematurely or were born with severe defects that the full dangers became clear.

where innovation is often mistaken for progress.

In Singapore, nearly half of the youth aged 15 to 21 exhibit “problematic smartphone use,” according to research by the Institute of Mental Health (IMH) published in August 2024.

Excessive device use stunts language skills and chops attention spans. For older children, the trade-offs are equally grim – screen time eats into sleep, physical activity and social interaction.

Online banking, digital wallets and instant payment systems have made transactions seamless, but they have also made financial crime easier, faster and harder to track.

Deepfake technology and artificial intelligence- or AI-generated scams now convincingly mimic voices, faces and even entire conversations, turning our own digital footprints against us.

When bike-sharing was introduced in Singapore, it quickly morphed from a solution to our last-mile problem into a hazard for pedestrians, as public spaces became cluttered with abandoned bicycles.

For qns on pros and cons of tech....

China takes aim at ‘race-to-the-bottom’ competition

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cut-throat competition that has seen companies race one another to the bottom – and out of business. The phenomenon is termed neijuan, or involution, which broadly refers to excessive competition in a saturated space that results in diminishing returns, and even stagnation. This dynamic, also used colloquially to describe a feeling of burnout....

led companies to slash prices in a downward spiral – to the point of making losses – in a bid to secure a share of the market.

competition between companies narrowly focused on price will affect China’s pursuit of an innovation-driven economy...This is as companies will have few resources left for research and development. “Everyone is bleeding, gross profits are extremely low, what resources will you use to innovate?”

Qn: Is competition always desirable? (Cam. 2016)

Malaysia PM Anwar’s focus on Gaza and global travels spark domestic criticism

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questioned the need for Malaysia to pour money abroad, and pointed out the “sad state” of Malaysia’s rural schools.....Malaysian leaders must prioritise the needs of Malaysians

The Arab countries that are richer can do it (rebuild Gaza facilities). Malaysians on your own can contribute, but not the government, as it has to take care of all Malaysians first

strive to find a balance in managing domestic priorities and securing international prestige for the nation. Both are important and interconnected...The Prime Minister’s international engagements are not without domestic benefits – the challenge is realising them for the masses

For qns on govts should focus more on domestic vs international/global issues.....or about prioritizing its own people over others.....