MORE than one in five of the top students from the 1996-1999 A
level graduating cohorts are not working in Singapore today. And of
those from the same batches who went on to universities overseas
without a scholarship bond, more than one in three are today
carving out careers outside the country.
Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong gave these statistics on Saturday
to illustrate the urgency of getting young Singaporeans to sink
roots here even as they become more entrepreneurial and break out
into the global economy.
'If more and more of our bright students do not return, this
begs the question whether our success in giving them wings to fly
far and high will result in our eventual decline as a nation,
especially as we are not even reproducing ourselves.
'No nation will be able to sustain its growth and prosperity
without sufficient talent, much less a small country like Singapore
without natural resources,' said Mr Goh.
He was speaking to more than 1,000 guests at the 70th
anniversary dinner of Chung Cheng High School last night.
He urged schools to help
students retain their emotional bonds to Singapore, 'so that they
think of Singapore as the home which nurtured them, and want to
contribute in some ways to the country of their
birth'.
To do this, he suggested that
schools inculcate in the young certain values, such as being
appreciative of those who help them advance in life; and not taking
for granted the academic, sports and arts programmes they can enjoy
here and abroad, when many children elsewhere
cannot.
Mr Goh hoped that the end result of such teaching would be
students who have strong links with their schools, close ties with
their friends and a strong sense of responsibility to their
families - even if they choose to live, work and even settle down
overseas.
Switching to Mandarin, Mr Goh said: 'I hope Chung Cheng and our
schools will give two lasting bequests to our children. One is
strong wings; the other, deep roots.
'Like wild geese that migrate each fall, young Singaporeans
should be equipped with the courage, strength and adaptability to
venture to distant lands in search of opportunities. But when
spring returns, they will come back, as this is their home.'
Indeed, Mr Goh further argued
in English, helping young Singaporeans stay rooted here was the
most important challenge facing the Education
Ministry. This is because the number of young
Singaporeans working overseas will grow, given that the education
system is producing more and more students equipped with the right
skills to go global.
http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking%2BNews/Singapore/Story
Brainwash students deeply to be nationalistic says Goh Chok
Tong.
Goh Chok Tong, you are a hokkien, so I think you know the root
cause.
Fight him Goh Chok Tong.
For the sake of Singapore fight him.
You don't fight him, you will be cursed by others for being
nothing but his dog.
