Universities, MOE should ban student exchanges to Hong Kong until unrest blows over
TODAY reported this week that a small number of students from Singapore universities had shelved plans to go on exchange to Hong Kong. The majority, though, are going ahead. The news sparked a range of responses from readers.
TODAY reported this week that a small number of students from Singapore universities had shelved plans to go on exchange to Hong Kong, which has been roiled by 10 weeks of protests. The majority, though, are going ahead.
The news sparked a range of responses from readers. Many said the universities and Education Ministry should halt all exchange programmes to Hong Kong until the tensions ease. Others, however, said heading there at this time meant that students would learn much about Hong Kong society and its problems.
The universities should have just delayed the programmes and not put our students at risk. LINDA LEE
It is the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) responsibility to assess the situation and the dangers faced by students going on such exchange programmes to Hong Kong. Should anything happen, who is to blame? MOE has forgotten what happened during the Mount Kinabalu earthquake a few years ago. PAUL HUI
MOE should ban all schools from allowing exchange programmes to Hong Kong. ANDREW KEK
For safety, the Government should stop the programmes temporarily until the situation is back to normal. DAVID LEONG
Postpone the exchange programme. Why put yourself in those situations? Who will help you if you get into trouble? Don't be selfish; think about your loved ones. SHU RA AARON
There are plenty of other places you can go to. There is absolutely no need to go looking for trouble, as things could worsen anytime. MEI WONG
Crazy! Aren't the students' parents worried, allowing their kids to take the risk? Should anything happen, would they start blaming the university or MOE? M FENG ZHANG
Better safe than sorry. Do a risk assessment. CHUA HOCK SENG
Go to Hong Kong to study what? Look at their students: What can you learn from them? Rioting. Please don’t. Peace in Singapore is not something we can take for granted, whether you are pro-People’s Action Party or not. HENRY CHENG
It is important to drive home the message that these students must not be part of any protest in Hong Kong. I am pretty sure more than a few naive hotheads will be filled with “revolutionary” fervour and join their Hong Kong schoolmates. JEFFREY YEO
Are these students waiting for the Government's advisory or instruction before making up their minds? ALVIN ANN
They should not have pulled out of the exchange programme to Hong Kong. Many Singaporean undergraduates will learn a lot about Hong Kong society and the underlying problems there that led to the protests and riots. It is a good education that they will never get in Singapore. JAY LEE
They should go to Hong Kong for exchange programmes. Singapore boys need to learn how to survive in a bad environment. This is a good time. ANDREW KHOO
The protesting Hong Kong students are getting a real-life education — a richer education than all the academic classroom learning… It is good to know that some of Singapore’s students are no snowflakes. Way to go. OLYMPIAKOS DIMITRY
These comments were first posted to TODAY’s Facebook page. They have been edited for clarity, accuracy and length.