Meridian Junior College jc 1 General Paper 2012 Term 1 Youth and Education

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OBAMA ASKS GRADUATES TO CLOSE THE EDUCATION GAP

By JACKIE CALMES, New York Times, 9 May 2010.
HAMPTON, Va. — For the first time as president, Barack Obama on Sunday delivered a commencement address to a historically black college, Hampton University, telling graduates that they have “a separate responsibility” to become mentors to other young African-Americans to help close a persistent gap in educational achievement.
Mr. Obama, clad in a “Hampton blue” robe, said the 1,072 graduates were better poised to enter an economy still recovering from recession and facing global competition than Americans without a college degree, who have an unemployment rate twice as high as those with one. “I don’t have to tell you that too many folks back home aren’t as well prepared,” he said. “By any number of different yardsticks, African-Americans are being outperformed by their white classmates, as are Hispanic-Americans. Students in well-off areas are outperforming students in poorer rural or urban communities, no matter what skin color. Globally, it’s not even close.”
Mr. Obama said all Americans have a responsibility “to change this, to offer every single child in this country an education that will make them competitive in our knowledge economy.” But, he told the graduates, “all of you have a separate responsibility — to be role models for your brothers and sisters, to be mentors in your communities and, when the time comes, to pass that sense of an education’s value down to your children.”
Recalling Hampton University’s start as a trade and agricultural school for freed slaves after the Civil War in a state that had outlawed education for blacks, Mr. Obama said the founders of the school and others like it “knew, of course, that inequality would persist long into the future. But they also recognized the larger truth, a distinctly American truth,” he said. “They recognized, class of 2010, that the right education might allow those barriers to be overcome, might allow our God-given potential to be fulfilled.”
Mr. Obama, a product of two Ivy League universities, Columbia and Harvard, was enthusiastically received by an audience that packed the field and bleachers of the school’s stadium on a sunny, breezy morning. He spoke a day after his wife, Michelle, an alumna of Princeton, addressed graduates at another historically black college, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. William R. Harvey, Hampton’s president for 32 years, noted Mr. Obama’s historic achievement as the first African-American president. He gave him a seedling from the university’s Emancipation Oak, under which former slaves who had sought refuge at a Union fortress were educated by a free black woman in violation of Virginia law in 1861, seven years before Hampton was founded. To applause, Dr. Harvey said Mr. Obama promised that the seedling would be planted at the White House.
In his remarks, Mr. Obama reiterated a theme of his graduation address the previous weekend at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor — that an often-argumentative and politically polarizing media culture posed a threat to democracy without well-educated citizens with open minds. “Information becomes a distraction, a diversion, a form of entertainment, rather than a tool of empowerment, rather than a means of emancipation,” Mr. Obama said. “So all of this is not only putting pressure on you, it is putting new pressure on our country and on our democracy.”

Qn: Why should the government be concerned of the state of education in the country? What is the value of education to the individual and to the state?
Essay: “The only aim of education is to enable one to find a job.” Is this true? (MJCJC1PE10Q10)

SAMPLE ESSAYS FROM PREVIOUS ZENITH ISSUES
‘‘Education is the best way to tackle crime.” Comment.
Crime is defined as the breaking of judicial laws – laws that are set to protect and shield citizens, laws to aid citizens, laws to provide for the citizens. Breaking of judicial laws occurs every minute, every hour, every day and everywhere. No country or state is safe from crime. In this age of technological advancements, paradigm shifts in society and advances in science, there remains one sole defining quality of man – his tendency to err. Petty crimes like shoplifting, common crimes like rape and theft, counterfeit crimes that run up bills of billions of dollars, cold blooded murders…the list of crimes we encounter is endless. With globalisation and technological advances, our crime rates seem to soar and the crimes committed seem to be more complex and more difficult to solve. What then must be done to keep our world safe? Should we put in place tougher judicial laws? Is capital punishment even effective at all? And the age old question – is education the best way out of crime? Although admittedly education is not always the perfect answer to our problems, I feel that it is still the most viable solution to crime, as it addresses the root causes to most of the crimes we encounter every day.
Before we start looking for a solution to the problem, one inevitably must look toward the causes of crime. Why do people turn towards criminal activity? I propose three key sources of crime: poverty, the breakdown of the nuclear family structure and the ethical beliefs of an individual. In the case of poverty, crime becomes the most accessible and fastest option. Imagine being homeless, with no form of monetary possession or any work experience, much less an education, how easy it would then be, to arm yourself and rob someone. Within a few minutes of struggle, you have a chance of emerging from the crime a few dollars (or even more) richer. There is no real labour involved; all that you require is brute force and the boldness to do so. Poverty fuels the need to commit crime. It is an easy excuse, after all the innate human need for survival must certainly prevail over everything else. As for the breakdown of nuclear family structure, it leaves a child lacking a stable, conducive environment at home. If you have parents who are divorced, according to the Economist magazine’s detailed study, you are twice more likely to be sexually abused and exposed to abusive crimes. Without much needed parental guidance, children are left open and vulnerable to bad influences and thus attenuate their moral integrity, tempting them to commit crime whether for attention or the thrill. The breakdown of the nuclear family structure is a phenomenon that dominates the twenty first century and is a key source of crime. Lastly the final proposed cause of crime – the moral and ethical beliefs of an individual. This determines your reaction and stand on crime. Why do you oppose crime? What beliefs or principles hold you to your stand? All major religions preach peace and love, but if you are an atheist or agnostic in beliefs, what then stops you from perpetrating crime? An individual’s personal moral beliefs come into play where crime is concerned, it can affect the decision to commit crime, the extent of crime and the degree of criminal activity. How then does education satisfy all of this?
Firstly education is a deterrent to poverty. Education equips you with the skills, both technical and psychological. Education empowers you with knowledge and expertise. Education will enable an individual to stay relevant to a fast altering world, allows us to be equipped with the knowledge and skills that are demanded from the various occupations in different industries. When we are educated, we are able to procure jobs that put to use the knowledge that we possess thanks to education. Even if we find ourselves jobless due to a competitive and saturated job market, we can still make use of our education to set up an enterprise, creating a new niche for ourselves amidst a monotonous commercial world. People often claim education is not key to monetary benefits or success, citing examples like Bill Gates, Microsoft’s CEO, who deferred an education at Harvard to start Microsoft. He is as the recent Forbes study concluded, the richest man to date; yet he is not even a college degree holder. However he did graduate from high school and is educated as well, thus it is inconclusive to say education will not deter poverty and thus crime. To support my claim, a study undertaken by the Economist showed that a college degree holder on average will earn US$800,000 more over a lifetime than a non-degree holder. Education definitely will enable us to break free from the shackles of poverty and far away from the temptations of poverty related crimes like theft, drug peddling and others.
Secondly education provides a buffer, reducing the chances of breakdown of nuclear family structure. Studies show that the breakdown in nuclear family structure is often attributed to disparity in education and lack of communication. Education enables us to grow as thinkers and develop social skills along with analytical and observational skills. In education, we learn to devise solutions to problems; we learn to work in a team, we learn to communicate, we learn to think through our issues as opposed to verbally or physically fighting out our problems. In a marriage we can subscribe to this set of skills we have learnt to better communicate and rationalise our actions. With education, a couple can better work out solutions to their problems as opposed to taking the easy road of divorce after nasty fights. A survey done by USA Today found that amongst college degree holders, divorce was at a paltry 16.8% compared to 38-48% for non-degree holders. Statistics for children born out of wedlock are at a low 4% for college degree holders as compared to an astonishing 68% for non-degree holders. This shows us the effect of education on the preservation of family structure; which means children from these families are more likely to be better guided from straying to a path of crimes.
Lastly, education acts as a moral and ethical guide for a non-religious individual. Education teaches us to differentiate the good from the bad, the right from the wrong. We are taught to differentiate what is correct from what is not allowed. At the tender ages of four at kindergartens, teachers drive home the message of the evil of crimes via stories like the Little Red Riding Hood. Education helps an individual to recognize and rationalize the evil of crime. Education also heightens your awareness on consequences of engaging in crimes. Beyond secular education, for the religious individual, religious education is also useful in inculcating good moral values like integrity, compassion and responsibility towards society. With religious beliefs like avoiding bad karma and avoiding retributions of hell in the afterlife, one would surely be restrained from committing crimes that would hurt others, and eventually oneself.
However critics may argue that the governing body of any nation or organization is the key to tackling the problem of crime. After all, the laws set by nations’ governing bodies will act as a deterrent to crime, and the only course of action must still come from the governing body. And who better to prevent and deter crime than law enforcers that are provided by our governments? However I beg to differ. One cannot entirely delegate the responsibility of fighting crime onto the shoulders of a governing body. That being said, our governing bodies themselves must be subject to our scrutiny and prove to be clean and honest before the responsibility of crime prevention can be entrusted to them. What is a governing body if its citizens do not listen to it? Take the state of Kerala in India for an example. It has not had a stable government in 40 years, and yet its crime rate is relatively low with low mortality rates despite the lack of a stable government; no political party has run two consecutive terms in 40 years. What is the reason for its favorable crime rate? A high literacy rate of 91%. The governing body is nothing without co-operative educated citizens to adhere to its laws.
Critics may also argue that it is the laws that will tackle crime: the severity of our penalties, the policies involved in order to deter crime. All these laws will protect our citizens from crime and stem criminal activity. Once again I beg to differ. The severity of laws or laws itself serve to punish the criminal offender for his crimes and by which hope to act as a deterrent for other crimes. This appears to be a simple rationale that is based on the assumption that the punishment will invoke a fear of the law in citizens’ hearts, that he or she will not so much as be tempted to do crime. Yet how reliable is this form of deterrence? In Canada, it was seen that crime rates plummeted after the removal of capital punishment, which has long been revered as the strongest deterrent to crime. Tell me then, do laws really address the problem? Or are they there to give the impression of a safety net? Without education this safety net will not last for very long.

In conclusion, education is the key to resolving the problem of crime. Granted that it cannot fully stem crime, as evidenced by the fact that there is also increasing incidence of educated professionals joining the ranks of individuals charged for committing crimes. It is nevertheless the most viable and feasible method to tackle crime as it addresses the key sources of crime.

Yong Shi Yun 08S304

Review

Although this essay adopts a less conventional structure, it is a pleasure to read. This essay displayed clear evidence of planning with a very methodical approach to the question. Convincingly supported with clear and well selected evidence, there was detailed treatment of the topic. The essay is written fluently, however less rhetorical questions should have been used. Clearer links to crime would be good too.

Do you agree that there is no joy in growing up today? Consider this view with specific reference to Singapore.
Most people would agree that children in Singapore today are very much more fortunate than children in the past. The modernisation and growth of Singapore’s globalised economy has enabled the children of today to bask in material satisfaction, comfort, wellness and protection. A common argument is that increasing stress levels and competitiveness of today’s society takes away their childhood and the joy in growing up. However to say that there is no joy in growing up in Singapore today would be a myopic and limited stance given the relatively fortunate circumstances children experience in modern day Singapore. Thus, I do not agree that there is no joy in growing up in Singapore today.
Children growing up in Singapore today are truly blessed compared to their counterparts in many parts of the world as they have proper sanitation and enjoy good physical health. Singapore has established itself as a medical hub in the region. There has been immense transfer of advanced medical technology from the West involving various research projects and experiments to discover cures and immunizations for many deadly diseases such as cancer and bird flu. Children today are vaccinated against many of these diseases which have previously endangered and taken the lives of many children in impoverished states. Being in the pink of health is one of the key elements to enjoying the process of growing up and experiencing joy, as being unwell would limit the range of activities that children can partake in.
Children growing up in Singapore have many rich diverse experiences and have much choice and variety in all that they do. Technology gives them many benefits and comforts that children in poorer states do not get to enjoy. They have numerous choices when it comes to recreational and entertainment activities. Their quality of life is so much better given that they have diverse choices in everything. Even television programmes are varied, with lots of animation and audio visual treats. There are also many computer and online games that would not fail to keep children occupied and entertained all day long. Most children and even adults find joy in these activities as they could keep themselves entertained, in the comfort of an air-conditioned room, with fast food and snacks waiting for them to munch on. Thus it is evident that children growing up in Singapore enjoy a good standard of living and have so much more joy compared to many underprivileged children the world over who do not even have basic facilities and amenities.
It would not be an overgeneralization to assert that children in Singapore are born with a silver spoon in their mouths. Many families have only one or two children and parents tend to make up for their lack of quality time with their children by lavishing gifts and material comforts upon them. Children grow up owning state-of-the-art gadgets, toys, branded apparel and it is a common sight to see them flanked by domestic helpers tending to their every beck and call. With such indulgences and pampered upbringing, it is evident that children here have it good.
Moreover, children growing up in Singapore need not fear for their safety or their life. Given the general stability of the country, children today live in a harmonious society without the fear of being ostracized due to racial differences. Living in a harmonious society is a joy because being the target of discrimination can easily develop into an emotional setback which would affect the quality of adolescence. Many children the world over live in an environment of constant strife and clashes which can take away the joy in growing up, such as those living in war-torn countries like in Angola or Sierra Leone. Here, a peaceful life with stability and prosperity ensures that there is always joy in growing up.
However, some may take a different stand to this. They may argue that Singaporean children are facing so much stress to excel in their academic results that there is little joy in growing up. They have packed schedules of tuition, school and enrichment classes, to the extent that they have little time left to enjoy activities they should have been given a chance to participate in. Even their holidays are packed with courses to pick up new skills and develop talents. Many say that the competitive nature of our society is driving parents up the wall to make sure that their children stand out from the crowd. How is it that this has little impact on the children? They too are facing so much stress that they seldom see the joy they should in growing up. However, considering the flip side of the coin, educational stress may also be a blessing in disguise when the children are rewarded with material satisfaction such as money and a lucrative career when they grow up. Competition and a reasonable amount of stress are also necessary to push the children to achieve the optimal outcome. Joy can also come in the form of being special and having an edge over other children in terms of securing places in top institutions.
Some may also claim that despite all their material wealth and comfort, many children growing up in Singapore are forced to grow up faster due to parental neglect. The trend of both parents working takes a toll on children as many are left in the care of third-parties such as nannies, babysitters, crèches, maids or relatives instead of being tended to by their parents. With such negligence and parental absence, many children these days exhibit behavioral problems and have social and emotional troubles.
In conclusion, it is a sweeping statement to say that there is no joy in growing up today in Singapore. There are many factors which determine the joy experienced by the children, such as the environment they live in, the experiences and activities they go through, being healthy and fit and the rewards they get from the hard work they had put in. There is little reason for the children to be totally and entirely deprived of joy in their growing process. Admittedly, there would be some extent of adversity and troubles which is part and parcel of life. It is vital to deal with these difficulties and put things in perspective instead of brooding or taking for granted the many blessings we have in Singapore.
Su Huifen 08S416

Review

The writer has raised largely convincing and effective points that address the issue at hand. The overall structure of the essay is also clear and well-organised.

There is no room for imagination in the classroom. Do you agree?
Mention the word ‘classroom’ and studies, books, grades, teachers and uniform rows of tables and chairs naturally spring to one’s mind. Classrooms have been labelled staid places of learning for so long that people nowadays have the impression that classrooms simply have no room for imagination. No doubt the emphasis is still on obtaining the elusive distinction grade, but today’s modern classrooms are increasingly becoming places where students are able to express their creativity, have more freedom of thought, and let their emotions and feelings flow. In short, the classrooms of today have expanded to include more space for imagination and creativity.
Teachers in today’s classrooms are encouraged to infuse creative thinking in their lessons. Teachers have been given more time and resources to conduct activities that bring out the imaginative side of students, yet still follow the curriculum. The use of group-work, projects, field trips and even ‘outdoor classrooms’ to teach is fast becoming the norm in many schools. Even in Singapore, schools are encouraged to follow the ‘teach less, learn more’ framework, cutting content in many subjects and enabling teachers to spend more time on creative activities in class. Students in Singapore have also been granted an ‘Edusave’ fund by the government, where the government provides a sum of money which can be used flexibly to participate in enrichment activities, overseas trips and other such activities, many of which involve the elements of creative thinking and freedom of thought.
The diverse array of subjects being offered today even allow students’ imaginative and creative prowess to be part of the lesson. Art, music, literature, knowledge and inquiry and even philosophy form only the tip of the iceberg of the list of subjects students can take which places more emphasis on imagination and critical thinking rather than hard facts and formulae. In Singapore, music and art are even compulsory subjects until secondary school. New initiatives such as the Art Elective Program (AEP) and Music Elective Program (MEP) also see students taking the subjects at internationally recognized levels, the General Certificate of Education’s (GCE) ‘O’ (Ordinary) and ‘A’ (Advanced) levels.
Students themselves are being given more leeway to express their inner imagination. Subjects such as English and General Paper have a tendency nowadays to have no fixed curriculum, thus allowing students more freedom to learn the subjects through new methods and fresh perspectives. Not only that, students also have more say in the way a lesson is conducted, and are encouraged to organize their own activities. The number of student initiated activities planned outside of schoolwork is increasing; examples include charity work and fund raising. In Singapore, some schools even allow students to create their own learning environment, allowing them to paint and decorate their classrooms and schools as they see best.
However, people argue that schools and students are too focused on obtaining good grades so as to better the school’s reputation and enable more career prospects for their students. Although it is true there seems little incentive for schools and students to concentrate on creative and imaginative thinking, especially since it is not reflected in report books, studies have shown that students who participate in more of such activities that encourage more expressions of creativity and imaginative thinking, tend to have more active minds and are more receptive to learning. Not only that, in the fiercely competitive market today, job seekers are finding it increasingly difficult to find employment based on good grades alone, employers are on the lookout for brighter minds who are able to actively contribute to the workforce in creative methods, rather than simply possess a good certificate.
Many people have also argued that nowadays, the frequency of tests and exams have constricted the time available for activities that allow imagination. Although it is true that tests and exams occur on a regular basis in schools around the world, it would be fallacious to say that they take up so much of students’ time that they are unable to participate in other activities. Even though teachers know the onus is on the students to score well, many still find the time to carry out group-work and discussions. Such activities allow students to free their mind and relieve much of the stress and pressure they undergo daily and give them a break from their lengthy studying routines.
The classroom of today is no longer a boring room where monotonous teachers drone on endlessly about scientific laws and mathematical formulae, but instead is a learning environment not restricted within four walls, where teachers offer fresh and innovative perspectives to learning, and students are able to freely express their thoughts and feelings, and let their imagination take flight. The main aim of schools has always and will always be to produce students of high calibre with excellent conduct and grades, but now the production process has become much more creative and liberal, giving students a more holistic and an infinitely more fun approach to learning.
Lim Cheng Kai 07S414

Review

Clearly and eloquently articulated, the essay was well-structured. More examples from beyond Singapore would have added to the quality of the evidence used.

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