Send youths abroad to help them appreciate Singapore: MP

SINGAPORE — To shape the values of Singaporean students, the Education Ministry could consider sending them on mandatory overseas community service trips to rural villages in neighbouring countries.

Member of Parliament for Jurong GRC Mr Ang Wei Neng said in Parliament today (May 29) that such field trips will help youths here better appreciate Singapore’s success, combat the sense of entitlement and inculcate the value of service to others.

“Instead of city lights, the students would enjoy a beautiful sky full of stars. Instead of air-conditioning, students would enjoy the fresh morning dew. Instead of morning traffic noise, the students would enjoy the sound of singing birds. After going through the relatively tough field trip, the students will hopefully appreciate the infrastructure in Singapore better,” he said.

In view of the current trend of communication through social media platforms and decreased direct human contact, such field trips could also help to foster close friendship ties between the students and hone their interpersonal skills, he said.

“I hope parents and teachers will see the value of such trips when the students return from the trip, more mature and sensible. I am confident that such field trips will help our youths appreciate Singapore’s success better, reduce the sense of entitlement and inculcate the value of service to others,” he said.

“It will be money well spent. It will generate a wind of gratitude. It will help us cherish the pioneering spirit that built the Singapore we see today.” CHANNEL NEWSASIA