Singapore is laughing secretly and keeping hush ... they do not bear any cost of bringing up the kids, but at their ripest, they get to cherry pick the top 5% of the crop - where got such good deals????
You may have your reasons to let them go but it only drives down the quotient for capable labour force over time. You want to create "more opportunities" for bumis, thats not the way to do that. You end up with a prolonged deteriorating capable workforce, thus less value added services to overall economy. You compensate by bringing down average labour cost to maintain competitiveness - EVER WONDER WHY A SO-SO ECONOMY LIKE MAYSIA KEEP INCREASING ITS RELIANCE ON FOREIGN WORKERS ... thats the only way to maintain competitivess. At the same time it drags normal Malaysians' wages lower in growth.
Yes, we may still be able to make a living, yes, plenty do make money from the property market and maybe stock market - ever wonder why???, these are not absolutely value driven industries, these are vehicles that attract liquidity. Without oil and gas, we are dead a long time ago, I mean worse than Cambodia or Burma even.
Yes, some people do benefit from the policies, the elite few at the expense of the vast majority of all races.
You can ignore these often said sentiments, you are taking the whole country down the road of no fucking return.
Malaysia’s bright sparks head south of the border
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KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia’s standard of education has deteriorated over the years while
Singapore can take pride in having one of the best education systems in the world.
According to a World Bank report, Malaysia did poorly in an international educational
benchmarking study. The 2012 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment)
results, which was made available last year, showed Malaysia languishing near the bottom
of a list of 65 countries surveyed.
Singapore can take pride in having one of the best education systems in the world.
According to a World Bank report, Malaysia did poorly in an international educational
benchmarking study. The 2012 PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment)
results, which was made available last year, showed Malaysia languishing near the bottom
of a list of 65 countries surveyed.
Singapore, on the other hand, is ranked among the top three in the study that evaluates
the knowledge and skills of the world’s 15-year-old pupils in mathematics, science and reading,
thus providing a benchmark to gauge the quality of education in these countries.
the knowledge and skills of the world’s 15-year-old pupils in mathematics, science and reading,
thus providing a benchmark to gauge the quality of education in these countries.
However, a study by Education First, a Singapore-based English language school last
November found that Malaysia has the best English language proficiency skill in Asia, beating
its southern neighbour. According to Education First’s findings of their English Proficiency Index,
Malaysia has the highest level of English proficiency out of 13 countries in Asia.
November found that Malaysia has the best English language proficiency skill in Asia, beating
its southern neighbour. According to Education First’s findings of their English Proficiency Index,
Malaysia has the highest level of English proficiency out of 13 countries in Asia.
Despite the higher standard of English among students in Malaysian schools, most Malaysian
parents have better faith in the education system of their neighbouring country. Many have gone
to great lengths to ensure that their children are schooled on the island republic despite the
higher costs and logistical demands.
parents have better faith in the education system of their neighbouring country. Many have gone
to great lengths to ensure that their children are schooled on the island republic despite the
higher costs and logistical demands.
Many non-Malay families view Singapore as a base for quality education, and their prayers
would be answered if that could be provided for with scholarships. Another push factor is the
race-based quota system, which makes it tough for non-Malay students to enter public
universities or pursue courses of their choice.
would be answered if that could be provided for with scholarships. Another push factor is the
race-based quota system, which makes it tough for non-Malay students to enter public
universities or pursue courses of their choice.
The Singapore government has long recognised this and has been using it to advantage.
For years it has offered scholarships to young talents from middle-class Chinese families,
providing a chance for better education at Singapore’s expense. This is done with the hope
that as these children adapt to the Singapore lifestyle, they would eventually decide to reside
in the island state. The end result is Singapore having a pool of talent it grooms from a very
young age while Malaysia deals with this brain drain.
providing a chance for better education at Singapore’s expense. This is done with the hope
that as these children adapt to the Singapore lifestyle, they would eventually decide to reside
in the island state. The end result is Singapore having a pool of talent it grooms from a very
young age while Malaysia deals with this brain drain.
Although, not all these young talents survive the pressure of studying under the Singapore
education system while away from home, most still excel. For three consecutive years since
2009, the top scorers for Singapore’s General Certificate of Education (GCE) O-level
examination were Malaysians.
education system while away from home, most still excel. For three consecutive years since
2009, the top scorers for Singapore’s General Certificate of Education (GCE) O-level
examination were Malaysians.
While it benefits Malaysians, especially bright students from poor families, Singapore stands
to gain more. This move is part of Singapore's social engineering plan to tackle its problem of
an aging population and low-birth rate. It has also been said that many Singaporean women
have chosen not to settle down as most men their age are deemed inferior to them.
Singaporean men lose two years prior to university or work, having to serve compulsory
national service. Hence, when they enter the workforce, they rank lower than the women in
terms of financial or work status.
to gain more. This move is part of Singapore's social engineering plan to tackle its problem of
an aging population and low-birth rate. It has also been said that many Singaporean women
have chosen not to settle down as most men their age are deemed inferior to them.
Singaporean men lose two years prior to university or work, having to serve compulsory
national service. Hence, when they enter the workforce, they rank lower than the women in
terms of financial or work status.
Currently, Singapore also has an influx of foreigners especially from China. Although they
are Chinese, culturally they are different. Those from China have different values and ethics
from Singaporean Chinese. Malaysians are seen as the best option as being closest
demographically, they would have no problem fitting in.
are Chinese, culturally they are different. Those from China have different values and ethics
from Singaporean Chinese. Malaysians are seen as the best option as being closest
demographically, they would have no problem fitting in.
Chances are that the children who have completed their studies there would make Singapore
their home as their friends are there. There is an informal arrangement where Singaporean
educators come to handpick the best Malaysian students, solely from Chinese schools.
Although this is not known to many, it is normal practice in top Malaysian Chinese schools.
their home as their friends are there. There is an informal arrangement where Singaporean
educators come to handpick the best Malaysian students, solely from Chinese schools.
Although this is not known to many, it is normal practice in top Malaysian Chinese schools.
For years the Singapore government has surveyed younger Malaysians, as young as 11
and 12 years of age mainly from Chinese schools. The ones approached are mostly
straight A students. Class teachers inform these students about this ‘schoolbased’
scholarship to study in Singapore, which is similar to the Asean scholarship and they are
asked if they are interested to apply for it.
and 12 years of age mainly from Chinese schools. The ones approached are mostly
straight A students. Class teachers inform these students about this ‘schoolbased’
scholarship to study in Singapore, which is similar to the Asean scholarship and they are
asked if they are interested to apply for it.
After their parents are told of the opportunity, the students sit for several tests. These tests
measure their IQ, proficiency in mathematics, English composition and command of the
spoken language.
measure their IQ, proficiency in mathematics, English composition and command of the
spoken language.
Most of these tests are held in the middle of the year and do not coincide with the Standard 6
Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examinations. Once they pass these tests, they go
for interviews a month later. If they pass the interviews, the students are offered scholarships
to study in Singapore tertiary schools.
Ujian Penilaian Sekolah Rendah (UPSR) examinations. Once they pass these tests, they go
for interviews a month later. If they pass the interviews, the students are offered scholarships
to study in Singapore tertiary schools.
These students are granted four-year scholarships in secondary schools, and many proceed
to junior colleges. Excellent students are given five years to reach A levels. Hence, by age 17,
these students are eligible for university studies.
to junior colleges. Excellent students are given five years to reach A levels. Hence, by age 17,
these students are eligible for university studies.
Upon completion of the scholarships, the students are given the choice of staying in
Singapore to seek work opportunities or to return to Malaysia. Although there are no bonds
attached, parents of these students are required to repay the amount spent for sponsored
courses in the event their children decide to quit half-way.
Singapore to seek work opportunities or to return to Malaysia. Although there are no bonds
attached, parents of these students are required to repay the amount spent for sponsored
courses in the event their children decide to quit half-way.
The perks for students on scholarship include free food and lodging and paid school fees.
They are also provided uniform allowances and monthly allowances. Malaysian students
on scholarship receive a well-rounded education. Besides shining academically, they are
also required to perform well in sports, and social services. Their performances are
reviewed every year.
They are also provided uniform allowances and monthly allowances. Malaysian students
on scholarship receive a well-rounded education. Besides shining academically, they are
also required to perform well in sports, and social services. Their performances are
reviewed every year.
There is no doubt the Singapore education system is stressful as it is academically focused
with examinations held every two to three weeks. The outcomes of these tests are taken into
account to assess yearly performance. It is very competitive with many students striving to
be the best.
with examinations held every two to three weeks. The outcomes of these tests are taken into
account to assess yearly performance. It is very competitive with many students striving to
be the best.
There is no doubt that Malaysia has among some of the best talents internationally, but the
country is losing the battle to ensure these bright young talents do not pack their bags and
head across the straits to Singapore due to lack of opportunities at home.
country is losing the battle to ensure these bright young talents do not pack their bags and
head across the straits to Singapore due to lack of opportunities at home.
While the scholarships offered may benefit some Malaysians, it does not help Malaysia
economically as the country faces a constant brain drain should these students decide
not to return.
economically as the country faces a constant brain drain should these students decide
not to return.
The offer of education scholarships from Singapore is just the tip of the skill loss as many
Malaysians are also moving there for better job opportunities.
Malaysians are also moving there for better job opportunities.
This article was first published in the March 1, 2014 issue of The Heat.
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