By Hoe Yeen Nie | Posted: 25 March 2011 2214
hrs
SINGAPORE: All new Singapore citizens must go
through a three-component mandatory programme known as "The
Singapore Citizenship Journey" - which must be completed in two
months - before they get their pink IC.
The programme includes a lesson at Parliament House on governance
and the rule of the law, as well as a tour to the URA Centre and
National Museum.
A second component is a meeting with grassroots leaders and new
citizens who have settled in.
Participants will also have to go through a mandatory online course
called the e-journey.
It comprises five sections, covering Singapore's history, national
symbols, and key policies such as national service.
After going through each section, participants will then have to
take a quiz. The quiz is not meant as a test, but a way for new
citizens to get to know the country better.
The issue of a citizenship test has cropped up over the
years.
However, speaking in Parliament in March, Deputy Prime Minister
Wong Kan Seng, who heads the National Population and Talent
Division, said that the suggestion had been considered by the
National Integration Council.
"Members felt that a test may not accurately assess or ensure the
long-term commitment of new citizens," said Mr Wong.
Authorities agree that integration can neither be forced, nor
happen overnight.
However, the National Population and Talent Division intends to
give the process a nudge forward, by creating a structure for new
citizens to integrate.
If the programme is not completed in two months, participants may
have their in-principal approval withdrawn, and will have to
re-apply for citizenship.
Appeals will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.
- CNA/cc
PAP deserves some praise for coming up with this policy.
Claps.
