the following series of dialogues is motivated by the announcement yesterday that MOE is going to start rewarding students with money for their good behaviours and values (or characters, whatever you call it). this is just going to be another long tail of education.
yesterday
妈妈：”小明，you must bow and greet when you see teachers in school.”
小明：”mama, why?”
妈妈:”this is to show respect.”
小明:”yes mama”
today onwards
妈妈：”小明，you must bow and greet when you see teachers in school.”
小明：”mama, why?”
妈妈:”so that you can earn some money and lighten our load.帮忙赚钱，赚钱很辛苦的。”
小明:”orh”
妈妈：”小明，you must bow and greet when you see teachers in school.”
小明：”mama, why?”
妈妈:”this is to show respect.”
小明:”but hor, 小华 says his mama says he needs to greet and bow so that he can win award and go on stage. i also want to go on stage.”
soon to come
老师：”小明， in school you must greet principals, teachers to show respect”
小明:”cher, my mama says doing that will contribute money to my edusave account?”
老师：”小明，our school motto is Loyalty, Integrity and Graciousness.”
小明:”cher, how much money will that contribute to my edusave account?”
老师：”小明，when you see the blind or the elderly, you must try and help them to cross the road.”
小明:”cher, how much money will that contribute to my edusave account?”
老师：”小明， tomorrow our class will be going to do VIA (yesteryear’s CIP) to clean up the beach.”
小明:”cher, how much money will that contribute to my edusave account?”
老师：”小明， why arent you singing the National Anthem, and reciting the pledge?”
小明:”cher, how much money will that contribute to my edusave account?”
30 yrs down the road
妈妈：”小明，you should do your bit for society and be a volunteer.”
小明：”am i going to get a character award in cash for that?”
妈妈：”小明，will you defend your country in times of war?”
小明：”what’s the sum of the award?”
妈妈：”小明，last time in school teachers din teach you must take care of your parents when we get old?”
小明：”i don’t recall i was rewarded in my edusave award for learning that.”
ref:
http://www.moe.gov.sg/media/press/2012/03/signalling-importance-of-holistic-education.php
http://www.straitstimes.com/Parliament/Story/STIStory_775296.html
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1187853/1/.html
