Category: Sosial

MOE And FAS Confirm Revamp Of Schools Competition

The Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Football Association of Singapore (FAS) have confirmed that the national ‘B’ division schools football competition will be revamped next year, with the proposed new tournament format allowing each school to play more matches.

Under the current competition set-up, schools are divided into four groups in each of the four zones (North, South, East and West). The top two teams from each group progress to their respective zonal knockout stages, and teams that reach the zonal semi-finals also qualify for the national championships.

Schools who fail to make it past the initial group stage however, will be eliminated. This means that most of the school teams play only five games a year on average, while the finalists get to play 18 games.

However, TODAY understands that under the proposed new format, teams will be segregated into three divisions after the group stage.

The top two teams in each group will qualify for the School Premier League 1 (SPL 1), while the third and fourth-placed teams will advance to the SPL 2. The remaining teams will be grouped in the School Zonal League (SZL).

The 16 teams in SPL 1 and SPL 2 will then be divided into four groups. They will play home-and-away round-robin matches, with the winner of each group moving onto the semi-finals.

Similarly, in the SZL, likely to be contested by eight schools, the teams will be divided into two groups of four. The top two in each group will advance to the semi-finals.

These changes will see each team playing at least eight games each year. The finalists for the SPL 1 and 2 get to play 16 games in total, while the finalists in the SZL will play 10 games.

The MOE and FAS, who will jointly organise next year’s competition, met with the participating schools last week to brief them about the proposed changes and gather feedback.

“MOE and FAS will be co-organising the ‘B’ Division National School Games (NSG) Football tournament from 2017 to enhance the competition experiences for our students,” an MOE spokesperson told TODAY.

“This collaboration will allow more schools to play more matches as part of the NSG, in support of students’ development.

“MOE is currently working with FAS on the details of the competition, including the changes in the competition format. MOE will brief the participating schools when the details have been finalised.”

An FAS spokesman added: “One of the key objectives of the proposed changes is to give our youth footballers more balanced and competitive matches, which will contribute to their development.

“We are in the final stage of discussions, and an announcement will be made in due course.”

The revamp is part of the FAS’ development plan for youth football, which was conceptualised and unveiled by technical director Michel Sablon earlier this year.

The 68-year-old, widely recognised as the man who transformed Belgium into a footballing powerhouse, had then highlighted the need for school players to have more match experience, which he believes will go a long way to developing them into better footballers in future.

TODAY understands that most schools were pleased with the proposed changes, although there are concerns that the additional matches will lead to a packed schedule, leaving little time for coaches to organise training sessions.

A school teacher, who spoke on condition of anonymity, praised the new initiatives. “This is a positive move by the MOE and FAS because a lot of our players crave to play more matches,” he said.

“But friendly games are logistically hard to arrange, so once the team is out of the competition, there is nothing to draw the students back to committing their time to training.

“A longer season will also mean more game time for the team, which is important for the students if they are to develop into better players.”

A school football coach, who also did not want to be named, added: “I’m glad this is being put in place. The only way for players to improve is to have more match experience.

“It is especially crucial during their developmental years. This is when they start to progress from learning the basics of football to understanding things like tactics, positioning and awareness. All these traits are best honed during a match-setting.”

TODAY also understands that the MOE is studying a proposal by the FAS to change the Primary School football competition to 8v8 or 9v9 matches instead of the current 11-aside format, while also ensuring that every team will get to play more matches

Source: TODAY Online

October 31, 2016
Student Expelled, Several Caned For Taking Upskirt Images Of Teacher

A student was expelled and several others caned after they were found to be in possession of upskirt images of six female teachers from their secondary school.

Seven boys were found to have taken the photos and videos with their smartphones, and 23 others received and/or shared the images.

The expelled boy had been involved in a similar incident at his previous school.

He was found to be in possession of the images but he was not the one who had recorded them, said the principal.

After receiving a tip-off about the incident, The New Paper yesterday contacted the all-boys school, which confirmed the incident.

The principal told TNP that the school received information about the upskirt images on Oct 5 and immediately started an investigation to round up the culprits.

He said: “We found there were students taking upskirt photos and videos, and sharing them. There were 30 students.”

He also said the school decided to handle the matter internally after he gave the teachers the option of making a police report.

But when contacted last night, the police told TNP that they had received a report on the incident, and investigations were ongoing. It is not known who had made the report.

We are not naming the school to protect the victims.

The 30 boys, most of whom are in Secondary 2 and 3, and a handful of them in Sec 1, had upskirt images of six female teachers.

Some of the boys were caned to send a strong message – this is not how you treat women – to the school population.

As it was during the exam period, the school punished them only after their exams were over.

TWO STROKES EACH

On Oct 19, the seven main culprits, who are in Sec 1 to Sec 3, were caned in front of their respective levels. They were given two strokes each on the buttocks.

The principal said nine others who had received and shared the images were given similar caning but in his office.

The remaining culprits were given suspended caning punishment, detention duties and told to return to school during the holidays for counselling sessions.

Should they commit other offences, they will be caned.

Their parents have been informed about the incident and the punishment meted out.

On the caning of the students, the principal said he needed to send a strong message to them and the school population that this kind of behaviour would not be tolerated and would be dealt with swiftly.

He added: “The school takes a serious view of misconduct by students.”

On the expelled student, the principal said the boy had been given a second chance by the school after he was involved in a similar incident at another school.

“We took him in and gave him a chance, but he did not use it. We want to help young people learn, that’s why we were prepared to give him that chance,” he said.

“It was heartbreaking he did not take that opportunity.”

The principal added that the six teachers were like his daughters and he had held many meetings with them.

“To see someone do something like this to them, it’s very painful. I don’t want to see anyone hurt in this manner,” he said.

The principal also said that the teachers were angry but he commended them for talking to the culprits to tell them that what they did was wrong.

He added that when the boys realised what they had done, “the impact of how much they have hurt their teachers was very painful”.

“They cried, they knew they were wrong. Their teachers forgave them.”

The principal said he told the teachers they were free to make police reports, and he also informed the culprits’ parents what he had told the teachers.

SAD

“Some of them were sad their sons were so thoughtless and disrespectful towards their teachers,” said the principal.

He added that the 30 culprits had been stripped of any awards they had won this year to show the severity of the situation. They are also not allowed to take their smartphones to school until further review.

The principal said the school had reminded all students about good moral values and how technology should not be abused.

He reminded all his students: “It’s not acceptable behaviour for young men. As men, they are supposed to protect the ladies, not take advantage of them. To do something like this is so very wrong.”

It’s not acceptable behaviour for young men. As men, they are supposed to protect the ladies, not take advantage of them. To do something like this is so very wrong.

– The school principal

Expert: Emphasis should be on seeking help

The behaviour of the boy who was expelled twice because of upskirt images in his phone may be leaning towards fetishism, said a psychiatrist in private practice, Dr Lim Boon Leng.

The teenager will need to undergo a psychiatric evaluation to firm up such a diagnosis.

Dr Lim told The New Paper yesterday: “Many of these deviant sexual practices start young.

“When they are at the age of sexual awakening, sometimes, the way teenagers get sexual gratification becomes deviant.”

But one thing is clear: Expulsion from school does nothing for the boy, he said.

“It is in no way beneficial for the child, but the school has its own rules. It is its prerogative to decide what is best for the teachers and students,” he said.

“Losing schoolmates and support may worsen the child’s stress levels, which may in turn worsen his behaviour.

“But the emphasis, regardless of expulsion, should be on seeking help.”

Lawyer Steven Lam of Templars Law agreed, saying: “If it’s not a first-time offence, maybe something needs to be done.

“For example, he may need more than just caning. He may need to understand earlier rather than later that his actions carry consequences.

“If a report had been made the first time (he offended), the boy would have been put under probation and he could have been sent for counselling.”

Shooting upskirt photos or videos is included in the offences under insulting a woman’s modesty. So is circulating such content. Uploading it online aggravates the offence.

Should schools make a police report on these offences?

Yes, theoretically, said Mr Lam.

“Strictly speaking, a report ought to be lodged. But bearing in mind the ages of the offenders, schools may exercise discretion,” he said.

“If you look at the offence and age, the long and short of it is that if a report is made, the police will investigate and the child will be impacted – so schools may exercise that discretion.”

Hilborne Law’s Rajan Supramaniamsaid that delicate situations involving young people should be dealt with sensitively.

Schools can conduct internal investigations and rope in counsellors to deal with the situation.

The onus is on the complainant – in this case, the teachers – to make police reports, he said.

Dr Lim said that such offences among youngsters could be prevented if taboo subjects like fetishism were more openly discussed.

“Sexual education now focuses on teenage pregnancy and abstinence. The curriculum can include deviant sexual practices, which are actually unhealthy, so that teenagers can learn about them when they undergo sexual education and seek help from counsellors,” he said.

Parents also have a very important role to play.

“What we notice is that during their children’s teenage years, parents tend to leave them on their own, thinking they are old enough to fend for themselves,” said Dr Lim.

“The communication may be very minimal and the children may be going through difficulties without their parents knowing.

“This can be prevented if parents can be more appropriately open in discussing sexual issues like gender, identity and sexual orientation.”

Source: The New Paper

October 31, 2016
Sasha To Celebrate Father’s Memory In Annual Charity Run

Diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer in late 2014, Vincent Christian was told by doctors that he had only about six months to live.

So even though his illness caused him immeasurable pain and fatigue, he was determined to make the trip from Australia to Singapore last June just to catch his daughter, national wakeboarder and waterskiier Sasha Christian, in competitive action at the South-east Asian Games for the very last time.

Unfortunately, while Vincent did manage to make it to Singapore, the pain ultimately proved too much to bear. It forced the 61-year-old to cut short his trip to the Republic and return to Australia, just three days before the start of the SEA Games waterskiing competition.

As he embraced Sasha, his last words to her before he left Singapore were: “I’m sure we’ll catch up again sometime, darling.”

But that was the final time Sasha saw her father. Sasha went on to win two SEA Games gold medals in the individual slalom and wakeboard events, and a silver in the mixed wakeboard team event. But two weeks later, Vincent died.

It is why, despite her success at last year’s Games, Sasha still looks back at that period with regret.

“We knew it was only a matter of time before he would go, but we didn’t know when exactly, so when it did happen, it still came as a shock,” the 23-year-old told TODAY.

“In my mind, I thought there was still time. He put on a very brave front and never allowed me to know how much he was suffering.

“I think that because I didn’t know how severe it was, I was angry with myself and filled with regret when it happened.

“I felt frustrated that I was kept in the dark and kept thinking about what I could have done differently, such as calling him more often during that time even though I was busy preparing for competition.”

But a year on from his death, Sasha, who has four brothers, says she has finally made peace with herself after realising that her father played down the severity of his illness in order not to worry her.

She explained: “I finally understood that he did not want me to be worried about him, and that gave me a lot of comfort. I also constantly remind myself to be grateful for the times we had, and for being so blessed to have him as my dad.”

Reflecting on the life lessons she learnt from her father, Sasha admits she would not have become so successful in her sport without his input and guidance.

“He’s very different from my mum, who plays a much more active role in my sport,” said Sasha. “But he gives me a different perspective of it. He shaped my character, and how I carry myself, and that is translated into my sporting career.

“For example, he always tells me to do what I love and enjoy every moment of it. And that’s the way he lived as well.

“When he was diagnosed with cancer, his motto wasn’t something to do with getting stronger.

“Instead, it was all about treating each day as a blessing, and that’s the kind of philosophy that I adopt in my sport, where I seize each moment and make the most of it.”

Because she lost her father to cancer, Sasha did not hesitate when she was invited to be an ambassador for the 24th edition of Run for Hope, which will be held on Feb 19 next year at the Bayfront Event Space.

The annual charity run, which will feature a 3.5km route and a 10km category, is expected to attract more than 10,000 runners.

Aimed at increasing awareness and support for cancer research, the event will raise money for the National Cancer Centre Research Fund, which provides seeding and bridging funds for clinical research projects.

Sasha, who will run in the 3.5km category, will be joined by several other Team Singapore athletes such as swimmer Danny Yeo and high jumper Michelle Sng — both of whom also lost their fathers to cancer — as well as fellow waterskiier and wakeboarder Mark Leong.

“I think this race is a great platform for people who, like me, have been affected by cancer, either directly, or indirectly, to come together for a worthy cause,” said Sasha.

“It’s very reassuring to see such a huge community working towards the same goal. I hope it will encourage cancer patients and their families. They must know they’re not alone, and there is a lot of support out there for them.”

The wakeboarder says she is looking forward to testing herself on the road.

“I’ve loved running since I was young, and I usually get a bit competitive once I start a race,” said Sasha, who took part in this year’s Run for Hope as well. “I’m going to have to train for this coming edition though, but I think I’ll be fine.

“My plan is to try and get all my brothers to run with me, and maybe my mum.

“My brothers like running, so it shouldn’t be an issue. I think they’ll want to do the 10km run, though, so I’ll just meet them at the finish line!”

Source: TODAY Online

October 31, 2016
Mashizan Masjum – The Broadcast Journalist Turned Celebrity Shoe-Maker

He went for a four-month shoemaking course in Florence, Italy, three years ago.

And Mr Mashizan Masjum has since seen his shoes worn by the likes of TV host Jeannie Mai and Beyonce’s sister, singer Solange Knowles.

Tomorrow, the 43-year-old will take his shoe brand Mashizan to Singapore Fashion Week for its closing event. It will be the brand’s very first fashion show.

Mr Mashizan spent almost 20 years working as a broadcast journalist and documentary producer in Singapore and New York before launching his brand last November. He has released two full collections to date.

His wedges, ankle boots and pumps range from $600 to $1,000 and are sold at Robinsons The Heeren and Julie Nicole at Capitol Piazza.

It’s a dream come true for Mr Mashizan, who has been passionate about women’s shoes since his secondary school days.

“I always think of women’s shoes as a work of art. Even women’s clothes are so beautiful,” he told The New Paper.

“I remember how while I was still studying shoemaking, I was interviewed by a friend and I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if a celebrity would wear my shoes in the future?’

“I guess it all worked out.”

His move into fashion and Florence, where he is now based, is not the first time Mr Mashizan has taken himself out of his comfort zone.

In 2005, after working as a broadcast journalist in Singapore for nine years, he moved to New York City without any job offers. It took him six months to find one.

While he loved producing documentaries for outlets like National Geographic and History Channel, his mind was still on shoes.

So he took a sabbatical in 2013 to study shoemaking under the tutelage of Angelo Imperatice, former head designer at luxury brand Salvatore Ferragamo.

ITALY

“I’ve always been fascinated with Italian styles and designs, and I think Italians take great care of their artisanal heritage. That’s why I chose Italy,” said Mr Mashizan.

He was to return to work on documentaries in New York but slowly started prototyping his own designs instead.

“It was a gradual change, as I still wasn’t sure if it was the right path for me,” he said.

Mr Mashizan brings his experience as a documentary producer into his design work.

“I love stringing ideas together, it allows me to tell the story of how a shoe is designed,” he said.

Solange Knowles PHOTO: REUTERS

But with no business or fashion background, the big jump to starting a shoe business was daunting.

“I had to learn everything from scratch, I even learnt from my friends how to do business proposals,” said Mr Mashizan.

“The toughest part was finding the right factory to produce my shoes.

“Compared to big brands like Dior and Yves Saint Laurent, my brand is still very small and new, so why would a factory choose to produce mine?”

Fortunately for him, he found a production manager in Florence who guided him through the industry.

Mr Mashizan’s family and friends were very entertained and enthusiastic by his mid-career switch, and were all supportive, telling him to go for it.

As he looked back on his success, Mr Mashizan cited Olympic gold medallist Joseph Schooling as an affirmation to him.

He said: “Success is hard to gauge.

“I’m definitely not there yet, but it’s the satisfaction I get from empowering women to feel great and strong that keeps me going.

“Don’t dwell on the negativity and always have it in your head that everything is possible if you believe in yourself.”

“I remember how while I was still studying shoemaking, I was interviewed by a friend and I said, ‘Wouldn’t it be nice if a celebrity would wear my shoes in the future?’ I guess it all worked out.”

– Mr Mashizan Masjum

Source: www.tnp.sg

October 30, 2016
Chee Soon Juan: Results Show That Lee Hsien Loong Failed As PM

Public memory is short.

That’s what the PAP is counting on to get through the economic difficulties that we’re rapidly sinking into. But forgetting the past is what will surely prolong our troubles.

Our only hope of recovery is to remember the PAP’s past promises and figure out how and why it has failed to deliver on them.

To do this, we have to go back to 2003 when Mr Lee Hsien Loong, then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance, was given the task of heading the Economic Review Committee (ERC). We had just come out of the Asian financial crisis in 1997 and the dot.com-bubble burst in 2001.

To assist him in the task, Mr Lee convened seven sub-committees and consulted more than 1,000 individuals to produce a roadmap to transform Singapore – within a 15-year time-frame – into a diversified economy “willing to take risks to create fresh businesses and blaze new paths to success”.

By the end of the endeavour, he waxed poetic, “Singapore will have graduated into a knowledge-based, innovation-driven economy. We will be a trend-setting city-state, a creative and entrepreneurial society.”

Now that the 15 years is nearly up, it is pertinent to ask what has been achieved. Apparently not much, according to Mr Lee himself. As he confessed this week: “We are feeling the pains of restructuring, but not yet seeing the dividends of our hard work.”

(Actually, “we” are not feeling anything – Mr Lee continues to draw his princely salary regardless of how he performs whereas workers are facing retrenchments and wage cuts.)

But no matter, Mr Lee insists that he is “pursuing all the right strategies” and is “confident that given time these strategies will work”.

If these “right strategies” have produced little of consequence after 15 years – the economy, still addicted to cheap foreign labour, is anything but innovation-driven; productivity continues to be a drag on growth; our workers are the unhappiest lot in this part of the world and have been for years; income inequality remains one of the highest in the developed world; and the economy is anything but diverse (we rank 5th on the Crony-Capitalism Index) – should reason then not tell us that maybe it is time to consider ditching them and implement genuine reforms?

The painful truth is that the outlook for this country has never been bleaker and, the PM’s blandishments notwithstanding, things will get worse under the PAP’s autocratic but directionless leadership. Many analysts have, in fact, expressed the fear that the current downturn will be protracted.

But it wasn’t that Mr Lee did not know of the seriousness of the problems that our country faced. He acknowledged in the 2003 ERC report that the economy needed “major, fundamental changes, in strategies as well as mindsets”. To do this, he promised that “restructuring will speed up”.

But time has proven the emptiness of that promise.

For one thing, the PAP, through the Temasek Holdings of which PM Lee’s wife is CEO, still has its tentacles in every sector of the local economy. The massive political-corporate nexus has created a non-transparent, unaccountable and kiasi corporate bureaucracy that is anathema to a culture at one with creativity and risk-taking.

Second, if Mr Lee’s call for a knowledge-based economy is real, then why is he hanging on to the decrepit practice of controlling the mass media?

Third, if the intention is to “change mindsets”, then why are our workers still forbidden from independently organising themselves and our people prohibited from freely gathering and speaking up? Mindsets, if it needs to be said at all, cannot be changed by fiat.

After a decade-and-a-half of the PAP’s experiment, the results are in and it is plain that Mr Lee’s attempt at economic restructuring has failed. The reasons are not hard to evince.

The question that Singaporeans must ask is: How much more of Mr Lee’s “restructuring pains” must we endure before we are willing to change?

Source: www.cheesoonjuan.com

October 30, 2016