NS for FTrash? If Sun Rises in West!

[makapaaa]

<TABLE border=0 cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%"><TBODY><TR>Aug 7, 2009
INTEGRATING NEW CITIZENS
</TR><!-- headline one : start --><TR>Make English and modified NS a must
</TR><!-- headline one : end --><!-- show image if available --></TBODY></TABLE>




<!-- START OF : div id="storytext"--><!-- more than 4 paragraphs -->SUNDAY'S reports, 'Mah urges new citizens to adapt to local ways' and 'Be mindful of racial, religious fault lines', bring to mind two measures that may encourage meaningful integration of naturalised citizens with 'true-blue Singaporeans'.
National Development Minister Mah Bow Tan, in calling on new citizens to make an effort to become 'true-blue Singaporeans', said he noticed that some new citizens appear to make no conscious effort to integrate or learn spoken English.
This prompts the question: Why are we giving citizenship to people who cannot communicate in Singapore's lingua franca?
Most naturalised citizens come from China. While they can converse in one official language, they are not equipped to have any meaningful interaction with minority Singaporeans and Chinese Singaporeans who do not speak Mandarin.
Not surprisingly, Mr Mah is concerned about new citizens forming cliques in their own communities.
To reduce the likelihood of ethnic enclaves becoming a problem, the Government should require future citizenship applicants to pass an English language test.
Pointing out the threat of racial and religious disharmony to Singapore's stability, Deputy Prime Minister Wong Kan Seng said the Government's key approach to managing race and religion matters is to build common spaces in schools, communities, workplaces and national service.
However, national service is one area in which adult new citizens currently do not participate, and the Government should introduce a modified, shortened form for adult new citizens under the age of 40.
While it is true that they did not enjoy the benefits of citizenship during their childhood, they will enjoy these benefits for the rest of their lives.

=> & What about FTrash being given FREE SCHOLARSHIPS that most Sporns donch even enjoy???

They could learn the basics of army combat, policing or civil defence over a predetermined number of weekends, a practical compromise given work commitments.
Besides helping them integrate better with their new compatriots, the modified national service stint will also empower them to play an active role in Singapore's national defence or internal security.
After all, the enemy's bullet or bomb does not distinguish between naturalised and native-born Singaporeans.
Michael Ang

http://www.straitstimes.com/Singapore/Story/STIStory_413602.html

 

[makapaaa]

'Require new citizens and permanent residents to understand and speak English.'
MR HENRY TAN: 'Inability to understand and speak Singapore's common language, English, makes integration difficult. Our founding fathers understood this and made bilingualism the glue of our nation of different races. It has worked well. So we should require new citizens and permanent residents to understand and speak basic English.'
The test
'Require service staff to pass a basic English test.'
MS ANGELA ANTHONY: 'No one reading Mrs Suguna Madhavan-Reiniers letter last Saturday ('Waitress ignores family at head of queue') can be sure if the service by a waitress of Crystal Jade restaurant in Tampines Mall was prompted by discrimination, or her inability to speak English. What is certain is that her service was bad. My father's experience at a fish soup stall at Ang Mo Kio Hub's NTUC foodcourt was similar. Although he was first in line, the stallholder ignored him and served others behind him. The Government should require service staff to pass a basic English proficiency test.'
Prior to hiring
'A bus driver must be able to speak English before he is allowed to ply popular routes.'
MRS NURBAINE MOHD BASHIR: 'SBS Transit hires many foreign bus drivers. One morning, one of them driving premium service 542 to Shenton Way got into a pickle when a passenger asked him in English whether the bus plied Orchard Road. Instead, he pointed to the price indicated on the coin deposit slot. A bus driver must be able to understand and speak basic English before he is allowed to ply popular or tourist routes like Orchard Road, City Hall or Shenton Way, where English predominates.'

 

[SamuelStalin]

Chinese Singaporeans who do not speak Mandarin.

Chinese here are a disgrace as usual.