Daily Lessons for Life 21 May 2009

"MOE tightens control on sex education delivered by external agencies


Channel News Asia: Posted : 21 May 2009 1907 hrs

Singapore's Education Ministry is reviewing its sexuality education curriculum and tightening controls on the engagement of external agencies for these programmes in schools."

Hi there. Sorry to return to this story but I was shocked that the MOE did not vet such educational programs by external vendors delivered to our young school students!

There was NO apology from MOE about this disconnect but just matter-of- factly said they are now reviewing the issue. I am sure they will say that the schools were supposed to exercise care and that they really do not want to tight the hands of the schools and deprived them of their independence to differentiate themselves from each others!

Lessons for me:

1. while I am an advocate for decentralization and empowering individual school's administration and principals to decide on 'optional' programs, sexuality program is not one of these optional subject given that Singapore is, reportedly facing some issues there! In fact, that is one of the driving forces that MOE pushes Sexuality program in schools!;

2. it is important for the responsible authority and leader to raise their hands and admit the oversight, apologized, then take the necessary corrective action. It is worrying for me that this government does not seems to have the capability to apologize and admit mistakes! e.g. the Mas Selamat escape, the 'early investments in certain banks in the USA' by Temasek Holding, and not this episode!;

3. the issue also revealed a big weak link in our educational system. When things fell apart, the MOE and School are pointing to the parents and said: Hey, you should have known! Well, the dependency on school to 'educate' their children is developed over such a long time and the MOE and Schools know better to turn the table on the parents! The parents are irresponsible. Yes. Most of them were too busy with making a livelihood. It is their faults but please do take some responsibilities as well! By the way, those parents who cared DID spot the anomaly and hence the whole AWARE leadership tussle saga!

I sincerely hope that the government be a bit 'thick-skinned' and admit mistakes and move on. One of the most difficult thing to do for smart and successful people to do is to admit mistakes. At the same time, those who did and moved on to make good are always held in higher esteem! Remembered the popular and newly elected US President Obama used of the words: "I screwed up!" when his 1st choice of Health Secretary and Commerce Secretary were not approved by the Congress and Senate! Maybe he was new, that's why it is easier. Maybe it is the case. But this only accentuate that if the old dogs can be taught new trick, it is more valuable and intelligent!

;-)