What Schools Don't Teach You

Political Rhetorics and the Fear Factor

In today's TODAY newspaper, the unofficial leader of the Opposition, Mr Chiam See Tong said:

"...our people have been treated like children for the last 40 years. They can only act when somebody tells them to...The reason why I didn't join the PAP is because of their style. Even now, it is an elitist party. I think it was the 1984 election, during on of the rallies in Fullerton, when Lee Kuan Yew asked, 'Who is is this Chiam See Tong? We looked up his record and he has only 6 Cs in his school certificate.' This sums up the PAP thinking. Do you think I want to join a party that runs down people like that? I would never."

He expressed the sentiments of many people. As obedient citizens we don't want to say it loud. How can we bite the hands that feed us? There's is a fear factor. We have seem the fate of some who oppose and make a lot of noise. They are either sued for saying the wrong things, charged for not being total honest in their tax declaration, or scolded for crossing the boundaries like "if you want to comment on politics, join a political party", or terminate their PR status.

Honestly, I am scared too. What if they come knocking at my door, or send me a lawyer's letter, or terminate my job. From their recent episode on a certain pilot, they know what you do, whether you have sold your car or your house or where your children study and why they quit their schooling. You don't know what they know about you! That's scary. It's like big brother is watching you. That's why you observe that people in the opposition parties are not civil servants - instead they run their own business. That's why some websites that are critical of the govt are not never registered in Singapore.

Before they erase me out of existence, let me state that they are a benevolent authoritarian. Yes they are not perfect (who are?), but I think they are, in many respect better, than other countries. The transformation in such a short period is amazing. It takes people of gumption, who are not afraid to be wrong, to make unpopular decision, to be cruel in order to be kind. Like him or hate him, he's only human like you and me. For the impact he made, and the transformation of the country, you got to give him credit. For that, I salute him.

To me, he shows what one person can achieve, when you put all that you have into focus. He shows what power can do, to change the world around us.

When LKY said Mr Chiam only got 6 C, that's a political rhetoric. One of the strategies in a political campaign is to belittle your opponent's competence. Even Jesus Christ was not spared. A married religious leader once said, what do Jesus Christ know about marriage, parenting and family life? He is a single while I am a married family man. He implied he is the better man. The next time you stand for election, just fill in this template: "He/she is not a _____, what does he/she know about ___". (Engage me as your consultant, and I'll help you fill in the blank and write your speech as well)

What the School Doesn't Teach You

The question is: Does a better academic qualification makes a more competent leader? The PAP thinks so. That's why it is filled with scholars and elites, the cream of the crops. Most of us think so cos in school, if we don't do score, we can consider stupid. And how can stupid people qualified to run a country? Of course in school, no one tell you that there are 7 kinds of intelligence. No schools tell you what you cannot learn in school - like being streetsmart. If you are too creative, like challenging the assumptions, you get ostracised by the teacher. No school will tell you that academic excellence is not the only measure of competence. ...maybe I should write a book on "WHAT THE SCHOOL DOESN'T TEACH YOU", or "WHAT YOU WON'T LEARN IN SCHOOL".

Do you know there are many successful entrepreneurs who don't have the degree? Mr Sim of Creative Technology. Bill Gates of Microsoft. Thankfully, one local writer has written a book about "SO WHAT IF I DON'T HAVE A DEGREE". Every school dropout should read this book. When the results are announced, teachers should give every of these 'failure' a copy of this book. Maybe they can save one person from leaping off the high building.

The Story of an Average Student
When I was in Secondary Four, I only got 3 'O' level. Not bad enough to repeat the Sec-4 class, and not good enough to advance to Pre-U. Stuck in nobody-wants-you land. Felt like a reject, a failure, a nobody. By the grace of the Catholic Church, I was accepted into Our Lady of Lourdes (OLOL) English School. My mum complaint that my school expenses was too high. There was no subsidies for private students. There was no transport concession.

My mum complaint that our family isn't as smart as our cousins, that we don't own big houses or drive cars or have management appointments, or score top in schools...like our cousins. We paled in comparison. Even my grandma taunted me. "If you can pass you A level, I will change my name to your sir name", she challenged me.

For the next two years in OLOL, I set my life mission. If I pass my exam, she will change her sir name. If I fail, that will be the end of my career future, my pride and what worth as a person. Every day, it was school - library - home. No dating, no movies for 2 solid years. I will stay in the library every single day, without fail, until the library close at 10 pm.

The A level results was out. One of my classmates. She was a sweet happy-go-lucky girl. Like to go movies, shopping, play and fun outing with her classmates after school. I saw her alone by the staircase, sobbing. For all the years in school, what has she to show? --- nothing. I had already learnt that lesson in my O levels. I did not come to OLOL to play. I did come to OLOL to date girls and have fun. I did not come to OLOL school to fail my exam. I come to OLOL to pass my exam - at whatever price it cost - even my life. I was prepared to commit suicide if I fail, cos I didn't see any other alternative.

Finally, after two years of pain, tears and sweat..and bread for lunch...no dates....no movies..no restaurant....I passed the exam!!! My grandma's mouth was finally silenced. But without the second language, the local university was a closed door. Not rich enough to go overseas. The dream was dashed. But the fire remains....until 20 years later, I saved up enough money to complete my university education.

The moral of the story? We all have the potential to excel. Sometimes the opportunity is not given to us - what with stupid barriers like a second language requirement. Or only the rich can afford a university education. Or we are not taught the proper way to learn how to study and remember. Or we were taught wrongly that history is about facts and figures. Were you taught about lessons to be learnt in your history lesson?

Don't write anyone off. Stop putting a label on anyone. Everyone deserve a second chance in life.