Online users express anger towards Chan Chun Sing over his remarks of calling people “idiots” and “disgraceful”

[jw5]

Keechiu is heartened and conveys his heartfelt gratitude.

Chan Chun Sing​

4 d ·
Runninghour's Run for Inclusion is a once-a-year event, where participants of all abilities team up and compete with their peers in running, walking and cycling.
But there is nothing to stop us from demonstrating this spirit of inclusiveness and cohesion 24/7, all year round

We can empower each other to contribute to Singapore in our own unique way, regardless of our different abilities and needs.
Heartened to see everyone encouraging one another to cross the finishing line together, while building friendships along the way this afternoon. My heartfelt gratitude to Runninghour and our many community partners for playing a part in building a more compassionate society.

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

About 165 companies with over $500m in shareholders’ equity helmed by S’pore citizens: DPM Wong​

The eligibility criteria to contest a presidential election was amended in 2017. ST PHOTO: ALPHONSUS CHERN

Jean Iau
UPDATED


SINGAPORE - There are 413 companies with more than $500 million in shareholders’ equity. About two in five, or 165, of these have chief executives or managing directors who are Singapore citizens.
Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong revealed these figures in response to a question from Non-Constituency MP Leong Mun Wai on Tuesday.
These figures are for companies that have filed chief executive or managing director information with the Accounting and Corporate Regulatory Authority (Acra).

In a written parliamentary question, the Progress Singapore Party secretary-general asked, as at Dec 31, 2022, how many companies registered with Acra with more than $500 million in shareholders’ equity have chief executives who are Singapore citizens.
Under the private-sector requirement for presidential hopefuls, a person must have served as chief executive of a company for at least three years, during which time the company must, on average, have at least $500 million in shareholders’ equity and made a profit after tax throughout.
The Presidential Elections Committee must also be satisfied that the person has the experience and ability to effectively carry out the functions and duties of the office of the president.



For those seeking to qualify from the public sector, the requirement includes having held office as a minister, chief justice, Speaker of Parliament, attorney-general, chairman of the Public Service Commission, auditor-general, accountant-general or permanent secretary for at least three years.


In a separate reply on Tuesday, Education Minister Chan Chun Sing said that it is inappropriate to compare or impose the same requirements for both the private and the public sectors.
He was responding on behalf of Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong in response to Workers’ Party MP Jamus Lim (Sengkang GRC) on why the criteria for a private-sector candidate measures the profitability of the individual’s company, while public-sector requirements do not include a criterion to measure successful leadership.
Mr Chan said: “While the private- and public-sector service requirement tracks are both aimed at identifying candidates with the necessary skills and experience for the office of the president, the nature of the work in the private and public sectors is different.”

The eligibility criteria to contest a presidential election was amended in 2017 after a 2016 report from the Constitutional Commission, which made recommendations on aspects of the elected presidency, including the eligibility criteria.
While the commission did consider whether performance criteria should be included as an additional factor for consideration for the public-sector service track, it did not recommend doing so, said Mr Chan.
The commission proposed a performance criterion for private-sector candidates, but was of the view that there were no measurable standards against which the performance of public-sector candidates may be assessed, he added.
“This is unlike the private-sector service requirement, where there are financial performance indicators, such as profitability, that can serve as an objective assessment of how the applicants have performed in the companies with them at the helm,” said Mr Chan.


The commission had acknowledged that the performance of public-sector organisations can be measured to some extent, such as by looking at how well the organisation performed in meeting its own targets.
But these performance indicators were likely to be representative of only a part of the organisation’s work, Mr Chan said.
They may not reflect the success of the policies implemented by these public-sector organisations, which sometimes take a significant amount of time to bear fruit.
Mr Chan said the commission also believed that the list of qualifying public-sector offices was “tightly drawn”, and would have provided candidates with the experience of leading “substantial organisations with sizeable workforces”.
They would have dealt with “complex matters having a wide-reaching public dimension”, and grappled with “the contrary pulls and pressures of government decision-making”, he said.

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

New curriculum for mother tongue languages for Primary 1 pupils from 2024​

A pupil showing Education Minister Chan Chun Sing (right) and Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman a hanyu pinyin game that will be used in the new curriculum, at the Mother Tongue Languages Symposium 2023 on Saturday. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Amelia Teng
Education Correspondent
UPDATED

26 AUG 2023, 6:34 PM SGT

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SINGAPORE – Animated videos, online games and augmented reality will be featured more prominently in mother tongue lessons for Primary 1 pupils from 2024, as part of a refreshed curriculum announced by Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Saturday.
Pupils will have more avenues to use their mother tongue languages in day-to-day contexts, such as when buying food in the canteen and writing social media posts.
The new curriculum, which will be implemented progressively starting with the Primary 1 cohort in 2024, aims to promote cross-cultural literacy.

For example, in the Primary 1 Malay textbook, pupils will be introduced to popiah, a Chinese spring roll that has become a local favourite, as well as to lumpia, the Filipino version of spring roll.
“Through these examples, students will better appreciate cross-cultural similarities and better connect with their friends in the region,” said Mr Chan.
The Ministry of Education (MOE) carried out a pilot of the refreshed curriculum in 2023 across 10 schools for Chinese language, 10 schools for Tamil and 16 schools for Malay.

The latest curriculum builds on the 2015 iteration and will feature greater use of technology, such as in the learning of hanyu pinyin and in tongue placement animations for Tamil.

MOE said it will continue to guide teachers in using technology, including artificial intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT, in teaching and learning.
Speaking at the Mother Tongue Languages Symposium held at the Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, Mr Chan said the new curriculum will place greater focus on helping pupils learn and use their mother tongue languages in and outside of the classroom.
Pupils will learn through a mix of visual, auditory and kinaesthetic means, he added. For instance, for Chinese language, they could read e-books with interactive functions and digital narration at home or play games that improve word recognition.

An electronic Tamil reading pen has also been created to help pupils learn the correct pronunciation of words, while pupils can learn Malay through songs and body movement activities during lessons.
Mr Chan said MOE is working with industry partners to develop an AI solution for children learning oracy skills for their mother tongues in out-of-school contexts.
Being bilingual is an important part of the Singapore identity, he said. Yet remaining proficient in mother tongue languages has been a challenge as Singapore has seen a shift to English as the language most frequently spoken at home in the past decade.
“Many parents value the importance of bilingualism, but struggle to create conducive environments for their children to develop bilingual capabilities,” he added.
“If we do not do anything, we will start to lose our bilingualism edge,” he said, encouraging parents to devote more time to the mother tongue languages in their children’s early years.

The new curriculum, which will be implemented progressively starting with the Primary 1 cohort in 2024, aims to promote cross-cultural literacy. ST PHOTO: KELVIN CHNG

Madam Li Huan, 49, head of department for mother tongue language at Elias Park Primary School, one of the pilot schools, said the latest curriculum allows for more self-directed learning as pupils can use digital resources at home.
For instance, they will have more interactive resources to recognise Chinese characters or learn hanyu pinyin, which is necessary for them to expand their vocabulary and read more extensively, she said.
Mr Thiagarrajan, 52, a parent whose Primary 1 son was part of the pilot at Anderson Primary School, said he is glad that pupils are encouraged to speak their mother tongue language in daily life. His wife speaks in English to their two sons, aged seven and five, while he speaks in Tamil to them.
“My son used to be quite shy using Tamil in public, but he’s improving and is now more confident,” said Mr Thiagarrajan, who is self-employed and goes by one name. “He enjoys using technology, which has sped up his learning process, although we also try to control that as it shouldn’t replace real-life learning.”
He added: “Language has to evolve to stay alive, including the methods by which it is taught to students.”

 

[jw5]

from straitstimes.com:

MOE will broaden Edusave Award to recognise students beyond academic performance​

Education Minister Chan Chun Sing spoke of the need to redefine success and meritocracy at the Institute of Policy Studies conference on June 12, 2023. PHOTO: LIANHE ZAOBAO

Amelia Teng
Education Correspondent


SINGAPORE – The Edusave Award, which is given to students to motivate them to do well, will be broadened to recognise those who have contributed to their schools and society, said Education Minister Chan Chun Sing on Monday.
The award given out by the Ministry of Education (MOE) has traditionally been awarded to students based on academic excellence, he said. Over time, it has progressed to cover other aspects such as co-curricular activities (CCAs).
Speaking during a panel discussion on meritocracy at the Institute of Policy Studies’ 35th Anniversary Conference, Mr Chan said: “I’d like to see Singapore evolve into a society whereby we can find success not just by our own achievements, but instead by our contributions.

“Regardless of one’s station in life, whether we are rich or poor, whether we are academically inclined or otherwise, we all can make a contribution. And your contributions must be commensurate with your abilities.”
Responding to concerns about the entrenchment of alumni networks, Mr Chan alluded to plans to cluster schools together, to encourage alumni to contribute beyond their own communities.
“I have appealed to some of the alumni of the illustrious schools to go and serve on boards, on school advisory committees beyond your own boards, not just to give them ideas, but to help them to open up new networks and new opportunities,” he said.

“Instead of schools competing against one another, we will pair up schools or have clusters of schools working together on different CCAs for people to build the social networks and to share the social capital.”

Mr Chan was speaking on the need to redefine success and meritocracy, in the context of new challenges for Singapore and concerns about growing disparities in society.
“Success in Singapore must be a team sport. It is not just about each one individually running our own races,” he said.
Rather, he said, meritocracy must be about collective contributions from different members of society to the best of their abilities beyond personal achievements.

In a speech at the event held at Sands Expo and Convention Centre, Mr Chan said: “Meritocracy has helped Singapore succeed in the last 50 years, but unless we consciously keep strengthening the system and avoiding the pitfalls, it may not continue to do so for the next 50 years.
“But just because meritocracy can be flawed, like any other system... does not mean we should give it up altogether.”
The question then is how meritocracy can help Singapore to be even more relevant, competitive and cohesive going forward, he said, by attracting the best people and ideas, finding the best of diverse talents, and respecting and rewarding different abilities.
“Most importantly, meritocracy must be combined with the right values – gratitude for what we have received and compassion towards those who have not had these advantages in life and a collective sense of responsibility for us to uplift everyone together,” he said.

On the panel with Mr Chan were Associate Professor Daniel Goh from the National University of Singapore (NUS), and Associate Professor Jason Tan from the National Institute of Education, who spoke on a range of issues – from the role of parental involvement in educational success, to the need for more inclusive growth.
“The paradox of meritocracy is that perfect equality can lead to growing inequalities, if we do not ensure equitable baselines for everyone to unlock their skills and talents for performance,” said Prof Goh, who is also vice-dean (special programmes) at NUS College.
More can be done to encourage broad-based school admissions and outreach by removing obstacles, including psychological ones, that may hamper students applying to schools, he said, adding that alumni privilege could also be removed during admissions.
Prof Tan added: “We need to think about the ways in which sometimes those who have succeeded as a result of current or past policies are therefore better placed to secure an advantage for their own children.“It’s only natural for many parents to think that they need to try their very best, in order to help their children stay ahead and acquire more merit.”
This points to the uneasy balance between natural tendencies to look out for one’s own interests, and considering the greater public good, he said.
“The issues involved (in meritocracy) are highly emotive issues for any of us. This is obviously because it’s very much about human hopes and dreams,” he said.

 

[jw5]

Keechiu thanks instructors and coaches.

Chan Chun Sing​

59 m ·
Every year on Teachers' Day, we celebrate the extraordinary teachers who have illuminated our paths and served as guiding lights. Our teachers impart to our students knowledge like languages, science, mathematics, humanities, but of equal importance too are the values that they nurture in them.
There’s a special group of teachers I must thank - our instructors and coaches.
They walk with our students in their CCA journeys, and play Chief Encouragers during practice trainings, games and competitions.
Many of them draw out the best in our students, helping them to explore their interests and talents outside of the classroom, and grow their competencies in teamwork, problem-solving and leadership.
I hope all teachers, instructors and coaches – anyone who’s had to be a role model for our students - had a good Teacher’s Day break yesterday

 

[jw5]

Keechiu sits on a cajon, at Ngee Ann Primary School 爱我義安.

Chan Chun Sing​

3 h ·
When visiting our schools, I often sit down for a chat with our students. But I must say that it was a first for me sitting on a cajon, at Ngee Ann Primary School 爱我義安.
Of course, we didn’t just sit on the drums. The students also performed a cajon beat sequence.
It's a small example of how the school adopts a fun and communal culture.
The school walls are lined with vibrant artwork, created by students across all levels as part of their weekly Learning for Life Programme. It’s a nice touch for the students, to have their talents and efforts recognised.
Once a term on Wacky Wednesdays, the students play different games during recess. Fun and tense, everyone collectively held their breath (even me) when Eden carefully pulled out a Jenga block.
Happy to see our young ones bonding with one another. It’s the memories of our school days which stay with us for life.
#ourschoolstories

 

[jw5]

Keechiu welcomes the Class of 2022 to the working world.

Chan Chun Sing​

1 d ·
Some of us play games, others want to create them.
Amir Rafie is one such graduate, whose passion for gaming and programming led him to pursue a Computer Science in Real-Time Interactive Simulation degree at @singaporetech (SIT) to further his ambitions. In his role as a Learning Tech Programmmer at SMRT during his Integrated Work Study Programme (IWSP), he co-developed training software for SMRT employees, using gameplay logic and virtual reality.
Pradeep Kumar, Amir's batchmate, discovered a joy for coding and design at polytechnic. As a Mechanical Engineering student at SIT, he sought to help low-income families manage their water consumption. Pradeep’s “Smart Water Meter” project sparked a collaboration with the PUB, successfully building 40 units which were deployed to 20 low-income households.
SIT is our champion for applied learning. 86.6% of graduates secured full-time permanent employment, with one in two graduates receiving job offers from their IWSP companies before graduation, based on their Graduate Employment Survey.
Well done, SIT! And to the Class of 2022, welcome to the working world.

: SIT and Keng Photography/ Gwen Chew

 

[jw5]

Kechiu wants to keep Singapore growing and growing.

Chan Chun Sing​

10 h ·
A snapshot in time. My first Tree Planting Day 12 years ago and one I treasure greatly.
Joined residents of Our Tanjong Pagar and Radin Mas Constituency this morning to commemorate Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s 100th birthday, by continuing the tradition to plant trees … a symbol of our commitment to plant the seeds for the success of future generations.
Our best tribute to Mr Lee will be to keep Singapore growing and glowing. Glad to see every generation inspiring the next to do even better for Singapore.

 

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Keechiu thanks all.

Chan Chun Sing​

10 h ·
This weekend, we held a Tabletop Exercise for My Buona Vista community leaders and residents to discuss how we can prepare for and respond to a mass casualty terror-related incident.
This was organised in conjunction with the launch of the Buona Vista Community Response Roundtable (CRRT) under the SGSecure movement, which serves as a platform for community groups in the constituency to come together to discuss and implement initiatives to strengthen emergency preparedness.
In times of crisis, unity and preparedness are our greatest strengths. How the community responds on the ground is just as important as the response of the authorities. Such peacetime preparations are crucial for us to bounce back in the aftermath of an attack. Thank you to all for your active participation!

 

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Keechiu looks forward to meeting educators.

Chan Chun Sing​

9 h ·
At the dry run for @moesingapore's Workplan Seminar, one of MOE's biggest events of the year. It has been months of preparation by the team. Looking forward to meeting our educators, see you tomorrow!

 

[jw5]

Keechiu wants to go far, fast and together.

Chan Chun Sing​

1 d ·
Is the school our world, or is the world our school?
Learning is moving beyond the walls of our classrooms and schools, to the wider economy, throughout our students’ lives. So we must do all we can to prepare for the future of learning.
I shared with more than 1,600 school leaders and educators on how we can do so at the Ministry of Education, Singapore Schools Work Plan Seminar today.
We want every student to be a Creator, Connector and Contributor. Where 21st Century Competencies and values are prized above book knowledge, and our students are able to create new value, bridge differences and give back to those around them. I hope that they will be able to distill, discern and discover knowledge for themselves, long after our students have completed formal education.
Values and competencies are not so easy to impart. As a system, we will face certain practical realities: we cannot change the number of teachers, without quality suffering. So Edtech will be a key helping hand, and help us to scale good practices, cater to different learning needs, and help our teachers manage change. It will be a capability multiplier to enrich how we teach and learn.
And finally, we will refresh our school environments to encourage new ways of learning and instruction. There will be a new Partnerships Engagement Office, to provide real world experiences for our students and teachers. We will also give a one-off grant, called the School White Area and Canteen grant to support schools in transforming the space around them.
Change, whether big or small, can sometimes feel daunting. We may feel like we are running on a treadmill, constantly having to adapt to uncertainty, while never really knowing if we are moving forward.
To all our students and educators, know that MOE will always be in your corner. We will go far, go fast and go together in the future of learning.

 

[jw5]

Keechiu thanks Dell and MINDS.

Chan Chun Sing​

4 h ·
Success is not only defined by what we achieve for ourselves, but also what we contribute to society.
Am encouraged by the efforts from Nanyang Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore Institute of Technology and Singapore Management University students, who used their talents to develop solutions that could improve the lives of Persons with Intellectual Disability (PWIDs) in Singapore.
I enjoyed learning about their projects at the Dell InnovateFest 2023, and hope that industry partners will continue to provide our students the opportunities and tools to leave a positive impact on our communities. Thank you Dell Technologies and MINDS for organising this!

 

[jw5]

Keechiu was happy to join PAP Community Foundation at their inaugural Chinese Language Carnival.

Chan Chun Sing​

7 h ·
Language learning goes beyond the classroom.
Happy to join PAP Community Foundation at their inaugural Chinese Language Carnival today. It was heartening to see young children participating in activities that foster their interest in Chinese language and culture.
Gone are the days when language learning was limited to textbooks. Today, we have access to a wealth of resources and opportunities to learn our Mother Tongue, or even any other language. From music to television programmes, and various language activities such as the language carnival, the possibilities are endless.
As the first teacher in our children's life, parents will always be an important partner in our children’s journey of language learning. Together, let us continue to work hand-in-hand to create a conducive environment where children can learn and use their mother tongue in a fun and meaningful way!

 

[jw5]

Keechiu wishes students all the very best.

Chan Chun Sing​

7 h ·
To all our students who will be taking exams this season, all the very best!
Thank you Mr Heng Yew Seng of Anderson Serangoon Junior College, Mrs Tan Mei Chuen of CHIJ Katong Convent and Ms Nur Sabariah of Yew Tee Primary School for your wise words of encouragement

Watch to the end to see how many of us needed more than one take for this video

#ourschoolstories

 

[jw5]

Keechiu wants to drink Milo.

Chan Chun Sing​

2 h ·
Saw this vending machine today… offering a variety of choices … for people who like Milo only

 

[jw5]

Keechiu looks forward to Micron's efforts to inspire and train the next generation of tech leaders.

Chan Chun Sing​

1 d ·
Today, Micron Singapore signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with all five of our polytechnics to provide students with scholarships, internship programmes, full-time employment and continuing education and training programmes.
It is the first semiconductor company to sign a MOU with our institutions. A boost for our engineering and technician talent pipeline in the years ahead.
Strong industry partnerships are crucial for our IHLs to equip our students with the latest skills and knowledge, and contribute meaningfully to industry when they enter the workforce. I look forward to Micron's efforts to inspire and train the next generation of tech leaders. May they grow, look out into the future and solve tomorow's problems, today.
Singapore Polytechnic, Temasek Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic, Republic Polytechnic

 

[jw5]

Keechiu wishes everyone Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 祝大家中秋节快乐！

Chan Chun Sing​

9 h ·
Did you know? The lanterns we light during the Mid-Autumn Festival symbolise beacons that illuminate people’s path towards success and prosperity.
In the same spirit, 新加坡中华总商会 SCCCI kickstarted their celebrations yesterday by awarding Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce Foundation (SCCCF) scholarships to 17 deserving students from our universities, as well as @mendakisg and @mysinda.
It was especially meaningful that these scholarships were presented at SCCCI’s auditorium “嘉庚堂” - named after entrepreneur Mr Tan Kah Kee, who was committed to advancing education opportunities for Singaporeans.
I encourage the recipients to see how you can give back to society using your talents, just as you have received from others in your educational journey. If we can light the way for others, we will build a more cohesive and prosperous Singapore for all of us

Happy Mid-Autumn Festival! 祝大家中秋节快乐！

 

[jw5]

Keechiu congratulates Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报 on their centennial celebrations.

Chan Chun Sing​

3 h ·
Heartiest congratulations to Lianhe Zaobao 联合早报 on their centennial celebrations!
Lianhe Zaobao is one of the world’s oldest Chinese newspapers, and the most widely read Chinese newspaper in Singapore. As an important institution in Singapore, Lianhe Zaobao has witnessed our nation’s transformation over the decades, and reported the news with accuracy, balance, and insight.
Zaobao has also been a trusted partner, working actively with my MOE colleagues to promote Chinese language and culture among younger Singaporeans.
Many thanks to past and present Zaobao reporters for being part of the Singapore story. May Zaobao achieve more centuries of excellence!
很高兴出席《联合早报》百年报庆晚宴。早报见证了时代的起伏和历史的演进，也成为许多国人生活中不可或缺的一部分。《早报》如今建立的口碑和公信力，不是一朝一夕的功夫，而是历代媒体人的坚持与努力。祝愿《早报》未来有更多百年， 再创辉煌！

: MCI/Ngau Kai Yan, Lianhe Zaobao

 

[jw5]

Keechiu was happy to join Our Tanjong Pagar residents at the launch of the Remaking Our Heartland 4 Exhibition.

Chan Chun Sing​

1 d ·
Remaking Our Heartland comes to Queenstown!

With this programme, plans tailored to meet the changing needs of the community have been drawn up to revitalise our Housing & Development Board towns and estates.
It capitalises on the distinct characteristics of each area, and for Queenstown, we celebrate its distinctive estates filled with cherished memories and close-knit communities.
Under the programme, our residents can look forward to a transformed Queenstown with upgraded neighbourhood centres and precinct spaces, enhanced green spaces and connectivity, as well as new housing developments that celebrate the unique identities of the different estates.
Happy to join Our Tanjong Pagar residents at the launch of the Remaking Our Heartland 4 Exhibition this morning. Whilst all of us are excited by the upcoming hardware developments, I hope that Queenstown will continue to retain its unique “software” - that of a community taking care of every member and looking after one another in this place we call home.

 

[jw5]

Keechiu wants us to look out for one another.

Chan Chun Sing​

4 d ·
For us, we have to get it right - first time, every time. On the other hand, terrorists just need to get it right - one time, any time.
At the SGSecure Public Service Mobilisers Conference today, I spoke about how all of us are responsible for keeping Singapore secure. Read my speech here - https://www.psd.gov.sg/.../mr-chan-chun-sing-at-sgsecure.../
One of the key things that each of us can do is to look out for one another. Consider signing up as an SGSecure Responder to report suspicious activities, obtain and share verified information during a security incident, or respond to nearby emergencies such as cases of cardiac arrest or minor fires. As the biggest employer with many community touchpoints, the Public Service will lead by example and secure our workplaces against terrorism.
Everyone has a role to play, and no act is too small. Together, we can safeguard Singapore and our way of life.
Find your role in safeguarding Singapore here: www.sgsecure.gov.sg/whatsyourrole.