Daily Lessons from Life 29 July 2014 - Students take charge of cleanliness vs. WP's Internal Struggle?

MH17 Updates - Investigators cannot access the crash site due to continuing clashes between the rebels and the Ukrainian's army.

"Discontent among WP's old guard - The New PaperTuesday, Jul 29, 2014

Six newer members of the Central Executive Council (CEC) did not get the votes they needed to be returned to their positions while two members of the "old guard" were elected. At the 2012 election, there were 18 CEC members. Twelve of those 18 were re-elected on Sunday. Two older members - L. Somasundaram, 51, and John Yam, 52 - were also elected, taking the total number to 14."

This is GOOD! It shows that there are DIVERSITY in WP and that they can 'agree to disagree'!

It is interesting to learn that some older cadres were voicing their concerns about 'parachuting' GE candidates into the constituencies. A falling now seemingly recognized by the PAP. How ironical that this should be a contentious point!

For me, the strategic direction of the WP must be debated as widely and by as diverse a group of their own party members as possible in order to get a fuller view of what ideas the party has internally.

It seems that they are able to 'agree and disagree' and it is a good thing to happen. However, if any party goes into the 'You must agree with me or else!' position, it will be less effective.

Of course, political parties MUST never under-do the 'voters research' work. Ultimately, it is the voters who decide if the politicians are working for the overall interest of the country and that their interests will be given emphasis as long as they are benefiting the majority!

Let's see if more will be revealed in the next few days ...

AND

"Students take charge of cleanliness with launch of Keep Singapore Clean Movement - CNA Jul 29, 2014

The initiative, launched today by Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, requires students to help keep the places they frequent clean.

Education Minister Heng Swee Keat, who launched the movement today, said many parents had urged him to bring back the 'Use Your Hands' campaign to schools.
"These student-initiated activities are a very important aspect of encouraging them to take ownership of the community. We hope that through student-initiated activities, the values that underpin this will be much more deeply internalised and at the same time, we can tap the creativity and ideas of the students to be advocates of cleanliness and environment protection," said Mr Heng."

I like Minister Heng and I have repeated this claim a number of times. He, to me, is doing all the 'right things' to evolve our educational system in the right direction.

I am very much encouraged by the many parents who also see that need to have that 'use our hands' habit be inculcated in our younger generation!

Indeed, keeping the home clean is the basic human decency unless one is afflicted with some kind of psychological challenge. Good habit developed at home can easily be transplanted to the schools where the kids spend a large portion of their days. The reinforcement of 'using our hands' to keep our schools and the community space in which the schools are located is another natural extension of allowing the kids to practice 'keep Singapore clean!'.

With the development of this habit, we may, you never know, lead to a situation where the kids will question the parents: WHY DO WE need domestic help? We can clean our home once a week as a family exercise! A bonding experience! We can also save the money for something else! Like buying a book or on a largely free excursion in the many parks!

That will be the day my friend when I know we are 'free at last, free from the shackles of domestic help in Singapore!'

Let's intone: 'We have a dream!' ...