Myth: Pay high and you get a clean government
Fact: Pay and corruption has no correlation. Highly paid officials can also be corrupt, and a rank-and-file worker can lead an honest, corrupt-free life. The most important factor is the person's moral values and character. Of course the higher you are in the power hierarchy, the higher the temptations. How much a person can resist these temptations will depend on his will power. Another factor that can help is his circle of confidantes.
Recent spate of high level, mid-level and low level officers in the civil service linked to corruption and cheating has debunked the long held mantra by the government that we need to pay top money to get top talents. Maybe now we have to look at how to give these top talents some soul as well.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Saturday, January 7, 2012
NUS graduate scavenges through rubbish to support family
'NUS graduate scavenges through rubbish to support family'. When I read this article, the first thing that came to my mind was - hey! he's a graduate and should have been earning quite well. How come he came to this state?
After thinking through, I realised that I could be in similar state. School didn't teach financial management. It was through reading that I gained knowledge on financial education, financial independence. School didn't teach me these.
There are some books I will recommend:
Awakening the Giant Within - by Anthony Robbins
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
The Richest Man in Babylon - George S Clason (one of the first book I read, on how to manage my finances, and get money to work for you, instead of you working for money)
Master Your Mind Design Your Destiny by Adam Khoo
Good luck!
After thinking through, I realised that I could be in similar state. School didn't teach financial management. It was through reading that I gained knowledge on financial education, financial independence. School didn't teach me these.
There are some books I will recommend:
Awakening the Giant Within - by Anthony Robbins
Rich Dad Poor Dad - Robert Kiyosaki
The Richest Man in Babylon - George S Clason (one of the first book I read, on how to manage my finances, and get money to work for you, instead of you working for money)
Master Your Mind Design Your Destiny by Adam Khoo
Good luck!
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Knowledge and Education
I read 2 different articles on education trends on the same day. One was published in Singapore's Today newspaper. The other was in The Atlantic.
The Today reported that some enrichment centres now require 'entry tests' to enrol for their courses ('Sorry, your child is not bright enough'). It states that children as young as 6 need to pass a test to enrol into enrichment classes, which in the first place, was meant to help students get better results.
The other article, 'What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland's School Success' explains how Finnish schools emphasise on equality when it comes to education.
It appears that we have lost sight the purpose of education in the first place. I thought that education is to enrich the human mind. To expand our brain. To enhance the quality of life. It now seems that Singapore's education model (and for many other countries as well), the main purpose of education has been to become economically productive. To such an extent, we force our children to study subjects that will lead to high paying careers in law, medicine. We should revert to the original purpose of education - i.e. to enrich the quality of life.
The Today reported that some enrichment centres now require 'entry tests' to enrol for their courses ('Sorry, your child is not bright enough'). It states that children as young as 6 need to pass a test to enrol into enrichment classes, which in the first place, was meant to help students get better results.
The other article, 'What Americans Keep Ignoring About Finland's School Success' explains how Finnish schools emphasise on equality when it comes to education.
It appears that we have lost sight the purpose of education in the first place. I thought that education is to enrich the human mind. To expand our brain. To enhance the quality of life. It now seems that Singapore's education model (and for many other countries as well), the main purpose of education has been to become economically productive. To such an extent, we force our children to study subjects that will lead to high paying careers in law, medicine. We should revert to the original purpose of education - i.e. to enrich the quality of life.
Monday, January 2, 2012
Economic downturn for 2012?
2 notable members of Singapore ruling party have warned us to take this year's expected slowdown in our stride, but still maintain that that Singapore will look at 1-3% growth.
What I expect from the government some pro-active measures to 'take in stride' the expected slowdown. I already seeing a number of companies laying off workers and relocating.
And the 1-3% growth may come from areas that don't employ bulk of Sporeans, e.g. construction and service industries. Why I say construction? We are looking at ramped up BTOs of HDB flats, and tunnels, roads and MRT lines.
What I expect from the government some pro-active measures to 'take in stride' the expected slowdown. I already seeing a number of companies laying off workers and relocating.
And the 1-3% growth may come from areas that don't employ bulk of Sporeans, e.g. construction and service industries. Why I say construction? We are looking at ramped up BTOs of HDB flats, and tunnels, roads and MRT lines.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Goodbye 2011. Hello 2012
What do I remember about 2011?
The first thing that came to my mind was the SMRT breakdown. It was so significant that it wiped off memories of the whole year. So, of course, 2011 was more than just the SMRT. Let's recap some of the happenings in 2011:
- the Arab Spring. Downfall of Hosni Mubarak. Demise of Muammar Gaddafi. Egypt still in turmoil. Syria still in turmoil. Iraq still unsettled. Afghanistan - ??
- the last KTM Train pulled out of Tg Pagar.
- GE & PE. WP won 6 seats. Loss of GRC to opposition.
- when you have bad news, you forget the good. There were 2 Royal weddings. Britain & Bhutan.
- flooding became more common. From once in 50yrs, now we expect floods everytime there is a downpour.
- On family front - My nephew got a daughter. Now, she is critically ill.
- Niece passed her PSLE. On second try. Good for her.
Well - 2011 was not so bad after all.
What does 2012 bring? Hope and pray for the best. Life is not a bed of roses, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel!
Think positive, and put our trust in GOD.
I for one don't believe in new year resolutions.
The first thing that came to my mind was the SMRT breakdown. It was so significant that it wiped off memories of the whole year. So, of course, 2011 was more than just the SMRT. Let's recap some of the happenings in 2011:
- the Arab Spring. Downfall of Hosni Mubarak. Demise of Muammar Gaddafi. Egypt still in turmoil. Syria still in turmoil. Iraq still unsettled. Afghanistan - ??
- the last KTM Train pulled out of Tg Pagar.
- GE & PE. WP won 6 seats. Loss of GRC to opposition.
- when you have bad news, you forget the good. There were 2 Royal weddings. Britain & Bhutan.
- flooding became more common. From once in 50yrs, now we expect floods everytime there is a downpour.
- On family front - My nephew got a daughter. Now, she is critically ill.
- Niece passed her PSLE. On second try. Good for her.
Well - 2011 was not so bad after all.
What does 2012 bring? Hope and pray for the best. Life is not a bed of roses, but there is always light at the end of the tunnel!
Think positive, and put our trust in GOD.
I for one don't believe in new year resolutions.
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