Thoughts on Dr Goh Keng Swee

I read the article in Insight (pg 39 &41 Straits Time 25 sept): New Book on Dr Goh's writings....

And there are many many thoughts... too many at the moment to write, given the limited time against the mountain of tasks to be done.

I have both admiration and contentions with Dr Goh's policies. But when I read the excerpts especially the last paragraph at pg 41, I realised I could have been wrong wrt to understanding his point in the policies which affected the education landscape. I now understood the intentions. But the implementation by the management he aptly described (in his own rather acidic terms) and the mindset (he termed 'cults' rather appropriately) of the framework then, affected many young lives.

I remembered his passing in May 14 this year. It was poignant for me. He was a leader when I was a child. For the first time in my life, I wanted to pay respect to a leader in our country. Not that I did not respect many of our country's leaders. I do. Immensely.

But that was the intense preparation of the arrival of simc's guest, and my schedule was packed. I remembered feeling sad that such a significant leader, described by some as the architect of Singapore's success should not have been more honoured at the period of his passing.

He made mention of brilliance, character, values. These have been thoughts in my mind for some time. These elements are personified in some leaders.

In the present young generation (qualify 30 - 40) of 'leaders', the opportunities to display brilliance if you have them are aplenty. Ironically, even then, very few can cut the fine line between brilliance, intelligence and smart and its not by definition.

Values, well, as long as you hold that as a form of platitude, one would assumed you have them?

But Character is moulded by time, grinding, and taking the stress of pressure not of one's making, and true consideration for the welfare of the community.... That is where the scarcity lies.... and often obliterated by honours of success.
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And in the youths that we are supposed to be nurturing:
Values are questioned;

Character, well, what is the worth against the abundance of new generation distractions and gadgets?

Brilliance of course is still important since it brings one to an honoured pedestal....

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I am only thankful to have grown up in a better generation, built on nationhood and care for community (many thanks to my alma mater). I understood them from my school days and followed closely events that I know will have impact on my country, my family and my life. I know life does not revolve round me or 'my thoughts'

In many ways I may be seen as having a 'deprived' background . Until I was 26, the only country I have been is Malaysia, and travelled by plane only once.

But so what? I developed depth, and thought independent of social wealth, and material wants. I knew my geography without travelling, understood and followed political upheavals by reading. And at 17-18, I understood many of the sacrifices and considerations that my nation leaders faced, and honestly appreciate them. Not that I agree with all the policies. But I know without the stable and good govenance(actually some of the policies are really brilliant) these past 50 years or so, I would not have had the stability of life I had in this country.

How much have you really think for all the verbositiy, complaints of all the endless shortcomings you can see (of course without considering your own)?

When I hear the way many kids talk.... I sometimes feel I have failed as an educator.
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Someone once attributed this saying to Confucius:
It is better to light a candle, than to curse the darkness.

And on my part, I know, Example is better than precept.

I am thankful that someone is publishing Dr Goh's thoughts.