Netizens unimpressed by “half-hearted” measure in school fee
change to “enhance” privileges of being a citizen
December 21, 2009
The recent move announced by Education Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen to
give an additional ballot to children of Singaporeans applying for
places in primary schools was greeted with scepticism by the online
community.
The balloting edge will be implemented next year. School fees
will also be raised for PRs and foreigners in 2011 while fees for
Singaporeans will remain unchanged.
A PR in secondary school now pays only $264 a year or $14 more
than a Singaporean. It will go up to $852 in 2010.
As expected, the state media has applauded the government’s move
to make a “clearer distinction” between citizens and PRs without
asking the key question on why it was not introduced in the first
place and only now with the elections around the corner.
Netizens are equally unimpressed and some pointed out that it is
probably another ploy to “sweeten” the ground ahead of the election
due by 2011.
goaheadbingostan wrote:
“Election coming – expect more nice things throughout 2010
under the guise of improving economy.”
His views were echoed by bohliao:
“The signs are on the wall…The machineries have started, the
groundwork is being laid, the barrage of propaganda is gaining pace
churning out ‘goodies’ after ‘goodies’…Time is at hand. Even the
very ‘discerned’ shall be deceived… be thou faithful and look
beyond what’s material and consider the sufferings of many.
Change is nigh, the tide must not be turned. We have the power
to change…”
Moondance felt that Singaporeans should get the
priority in everything from education to jobs:
“Let’s just keep it simple – Singaporeans will be first
choice in everything from NS to jobs and in this thread, EDUCATION.
Singaporeans FIRST. Only after Singaporeans are done with the
process then, PRs and the rest. To be very fair to all, PRs or
Foreigners, you too, WILL GET FIRST CHOICE as any Singaporeans when
you are a SINGAPOREAN (citizen) With this in place, there will no
longer be any arguments relating / pertaining to issues such as
this. Last but but least, STOP !!! don’t treat naturalised
Singaporeans as IDIOTS & FOOLS.”
Kampongkid thinks that the change will only
encourage more PRs to volunteer in grassroots organizations which
will nullify the additional ballot for citizens:
“A half-hearted measure!!! Why not simply separate PRs to
another phase??? What’s the point of giving sgreans 2 ballot
slips??? When you’re ‘sway’ (luckless), you’ll sure to be ‘swayer’
than the one Lady Luck smiles at. Give you 10 more slips, his / her
only 1 slip will still be the one being picked.
And will we be seeing more PRs as grassroots volunteers
soon??? As volunteers, they’ll also be getting more than one
chance, isn’t it??? Better still, it’s in a different phase,
nei!!!”
Grassroots leaders are given priorities in application for
public housing and primary schools.
Minister of Community, Youth and Sports Dr Vivian Balakrishnan
revealed lately that there are currently 4,500 new citizens serving
as grassroots leaders in various constituencies in Singapore.
The number of PRs who are grassroots leaders are unknown though
there is a 15 per cent cap on their numbers.
The issue of PRs enjoying equal chance in primary school
application came to a head in August this year with a furious
exchange of letters between Singaporeans and an Indian PR by the
name of Sweta Agarwal who insisted that PRs should enjoy equal
rights as citizens as they “pay taxes and obey the laws” of
Singapore.
Due to the ruling party’s liberal immigration policies,
foreigners now make up 36 per cent of the population, up from 14
per cent in 1990.
Of the 64 per cent who are citizens, the actual percentage of
local-born and bred Singaporeans is not known.
Home Affairs Minister Wong Kan Seng told parliament last month
that there were over 90,000 PRs and 20,000 new citizens last year
of whom some are construction workers, cleaners and masseurs.
At this rate the ruling party is “giving” Singapore citizenship
away to foreigners, true blue Singaporeans may soon find themselves
in the minority one day.
Singaporeans should not be hoodwinked by this latest gimmick
from the ruling party to appease them.
Without denying the PAP its traditional two-thirds majority in
parliament to pass legislation and policies as and when it wishes,
Singaporeans are forever at its mercy.
The cosmetic changes it is introducing now to win their votes
can easily be reversed after the next election and they will be
completely helpless to do anything about it.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Lee had reiterated that there would
not be any major changes to the government’s immigration policies
except some minor “tweaks”.
“Tweaks” like offering one more ballot chance for Singaporeans
will become insignificant when they find themselves competing
against a larger pool of PRs and foreigners.
The tide of immigration must be controlled and slowed down
before it turns into a flood “drowning” out our voices.