What they teach in school?
In case you're wondering what they're teaching our kids in school
about Mr Lee Kuan Yew and the PAP, take a look at this.
One textbook for GCE O-level students and approved by the Ministry
of Education started off thus:
"There was always a significant Chinese-educated faction within the
party that held a different political view. From its founding, this
faction was led by Lim Chin Siong, who adopted violent strategies
through riots and street demonstrations. As this division
developed, it split the party into two wings: the non-communist
wing led by Lee Kuan Yew and the communist wing led by Lim Chin
Siong."
Describing Lee as someone who "championed the causes of ordinary
people and gained their trust and respect," the book goes on to
enumerate some of Lee Kuan Yew's political activities that brought
him to prominence.
One such activity was Lee's cooperation with the Malayan Communist
Party (MCP) who wanted to work with the PAP "because Lee Kuan Yew
was reliable and his name inspired confidence."
The textbook also teaches that the constitutional talks in 1955
happened because as "major leaders such as David Marshall and Lee
Kuan Yew both demand[ed] self-government (and merger with the
Federation of Malaysia), the British were forced to increase the
speed of reforms."
But the British, apparently, found David Marshall to be a "weak and
indecisive
leader" and were thus "reluctant to grant self-government to such a
leader." This, the text says, was the reason why the London talks
in 1955 were unsuccessful.
Then there was the crackdown on the PAP's leftwing in 1957 after
Lim Chin Siong's faction won the leadership of the PAP. The book
left us with no doubt that "The communist success in this party
election
was achieved with some deception."
As a result Lee Kuan Yew and five of his closest supporters
resigned from the executive offices of the PAP "in disgust" which
meant that "the PAP, a legal party, was now captured by the illegal
communists."
The text adds that this was "the classic strategy that the
communists called the united front'" and that "this incident
explained why the PAP leadership regarded election as serious
business even till today."
Following the resignation of David Marshall, negotiations with the
British to grant self-government went much smoother because, with
Lim Yew Hock as Chief Minister, prospects of reaching an agreement
on how to "deal with the threats posed by the communists" were much
better.
There was no mention of Operation Coldstore.
And the correct answer is
Another book, a self-study revision programme for Secondary 2
students "based on the New Syllabus by Ministry of Education",
compiled a series of study notes and questions. Correct answers
were provided at the back of the book.
Some of the multiple-choice questions went like this:
I. The ______________ in the PAP supported the Communists.
(1) radicals
(2) liberals
(3) proposers
(4) proponents.
Answer: (1) radicals
II. Which statement about the man in the picture is incorrect?
[Picture of LKY]
(1) He was the one who wrote the Singapore's national Pledge.
(2) He was Prime Minister of Singapore from 1959-1990.
(3) He changed Singapore from a third world country into a first
world state.
(4) In 1956, he stood as a PAP candidate in Tanjong Pagar
Constituency.
Answer: (1) He was the one who wrote the Singapore's national
Pledge.
III. The party symbol of the PAP is __________.
Answer: (c)
IV. The PAP had a _________ plan for Singapore and it was an honest
party.
Answer: comprehensive
What is your opinion about Lee Kuan Yew?
Students were also asked to read extracts and then answer
questions.
Extract A:
"And we needed somebody like Lee Kuan Yew, who can be strong and
firm when needed to be, to get things done. I think Singapore was
fortunate to have men like Kuan Yew and Goh Keng Swee at the helm
in 1965 to do what was needed. It was Lee Kuan yew's' [sic]
characteristic [sic] when you accept to do a job, do it well or
else don't' [sic] accept the position if you are incapable of doing
it."
Question 1:
In your opinion, to what extent is the above write up true of Lee
Kuan Yew correct (sic)? (5 marks)
Answer:
I feel the above extract is very true. He was Singapore's first
Prime Minister. He held that post from 1959-1990. He is widely
acclaimed by Singaporeans and people world over as the architect of
Singapore. He is responsible for transforming Singapore into a
modern city. He made Singapore stable and secure. He saw Singapore
through the years of merger and separation. He fully understood the
challenges a small independent nation would face. Singapore had no
natural resources. Singapore had limited land. The only asset
Singapore had was its people.
To make an island with any constraints prosper must have been a
challenge to him. His philosophy was if you take on the job, you
have to do it well without any excuses or "ifs" and "but". If you
feel you cannot handle a particular job, then don't take it.
The Singapore after the Japanese occupation, the Singapore after
its separation from Malaysia was one full of problems, full of
challenges. He, as Prime Minister, at the helm of the government,
was worried but not negative in his thinking. He knew Singapore had
to survive as an independent nation and he was determined to make
Singapore succeed.
It is true that we needed someone of Lee Kuan Yew's calibre to
steer Singapore at that time. It is also true that Singapore and
the people of Singapore were fortunate to have him at the head.
What we are enjoying today, all the comforts, high standards of
public health, education, housing, transport and communications are
all the results of the dedicated, untiring, unselfish work of Lee
Kuan Yew and his team of leaders.
Question 2:
Enumerate some of the qualities of Lee Kuan Yew that you can infer
from the passage. (3 marks)
Answer:
Strong character. Firm when one has to be firm. A man with a
vision. An optimist. An untiring worker. Determined and dedicated.
One who is not daunted by problems or challenges. One who executes
whatever job he takes well (sic). One who sets a goal and works
towards that goal.
Extract B:
"Indeed, the traits by which Singaporeans are known today are the
very same ones that characterize Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Like the man, the
country and its people are known for being pragmatic, law-abiding,
hard-working and fond of a clean, clinical environment be it in
business rules or physical landscape."
Question 1:
What traits of Mr Lee are mentioned in this extract?
Answer: He is pragmatic, law-abiding, hard-working, corruption-free
(clean). He is a man of integrity.
Question 2:
What is your opinion of the above extract?
Answer:
The extract gives a very true picture of Mr. Lee. His government is
a clean one. The hand of the law come hard (sic) on those who
commit offences or resort to corrupt practices. His hard work is
evident in all sectors. We are enjoying a trouble free life because
of his hard work. Singapore is clean and green city (sic). The
honest leaders have succeeded in attracting foreign investors to
invest their money in Singapore. What is more than all these is:-
The leaders have set a good example and have passed on all their
good qualities to the people of Singapore. Most Singaporeans are
hard working, law abiding and honest in their dealings - be it
business or personal commitments. I fully agree that all the peace,
stability and security that the people of Singapore are enjoying
today are the result of our hard working, honest and sincere Prime
Minister and his team.
from http://www.singaporedemocrat.org/articlelimchinsionghistory_part4.html
