EL P4 Points

1. Academics 1) How far do you agree with the view that science is the most important subject forstudents to study?Science alone is not the most important: I do not concur/ agree with the view that science is themost important subject for students to study. While science is an important subject, there areother subjects which are of equal importance. Ultimately, it all boils down to which careertrajectory= path one chooses to pursue that will determine which subjects combination shouldhold greater weight in their studies. (Academic trajectory= 6 yrs MBBS, 3 yrs Geriatric studies) Singapore’s future economy is one that is dynamic and knowledged-based. Nurturing the rightskill sets and studying Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) will definitelybe beneficial for the little red dot. For the future economy, innovation will not come fromgeniuses brooding in laboratories. Instead, it will be derived by combining technologies thatalready exist and evolving them. For instance, the Google self-driving car did not happen bysome startling breakthrough in artificial intelligence, but by integrating massive processingpower with machine-learning software, detailed mapping and new sensor technology. Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also noted that while many students opt to ventureinto certain fields, namely real estate, finance, law and medicine, Singapore will need strongSTEM capabilities as it moves into the next 50 years. As Singapore embarks on more complexprojects like the High-Speed Rail link to Malaysia, expanding the public transport system andintegrating the waterways and parks, combinatorial innovation will be essential, hence renderingScience, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) as some of the more importantsubjects, and not science alone, for students to study. CONTRARIAN VIEW Academics is not the most important:I do not concur with the view that science is the most important subject for students to study. It isundeniable that schools should educate children on the current work trends in the world aroundus (science and maths), for the role of education should also be to prepare children for adult lifein future. We are not training robots and computers, rather we need real people with a humantouch. While the preponderance=majority of schools places great emphasis on core subjectslike mathematics, science and language, information-based jobs are at risk of being automated= (replaced but this word cannot be used) by computers. Skills such as creativity, criticalthinking and emotional intelligence (otherwise known as emotional quotient (EQ) are vital toone’s survival in the 21st century. 2. Animals 1) There are no drawbacks to having a large number of visitors at places of attractions.What are your views?When there are a large influx of visitors at places of attractions, naturally the revenue generatedwould be a substantial amount. This will also provide the funds to upgrade and maintain thefacade of the place. In 2016, the tourism sector in Singapore generated 24.8 billion. The

significance of tourism to a country’s economy can be further epitomised by the case study ofBali where its economy is predominantly/ mainly tourism based. If tourist numbers startdwindling, the locals will be taking a hard hit due to the decrease in tourist receipts. However, there are banes to it as well. Large number of visitors can erode the charm andbeauty of the original attraction. For instance, before the building of a cable car to get to thesummit of mt Fansipan in Vietnam, also known as the roof of indochina, the summit wasonly accessible to climbers who were willing to brave the treacherous 2D1N climb up themountain. The tranquility and nature in its purest form was preserved and protected.However, ever since the building of the cable car, the summit had become a breedingground for litter and vandalism. Despite the local government building two replicas of thesummit stone to avoid overcrowding at the original stone, it has proved to be no match for thelarge influx of chinese tourists (the chinese border is nearby). The original beauty of Mt.Fansipan is no longer intact due to the large number of visitors. Thus it is specious to say thatthere are no drawbacks. 2) Should animals be kept in captivity for our pleasure and entertainment? Why?No. For starters, I would not want to be kept in a restricted space, what more for an elephantthat is probably 10 times larger than me. Zoos have birds who cannot fly, and tigers who cannothunt. Thus it would be more beneficial to learn about the animals innate instincts andbehaviours by watching them in their natural habitat.It is hard to see how looking at cagedanimals can teach us anything about their lives in the wild. They may be docile in the Zoos, butwild counterparts who had not been trained to listen to commands may behave in an exactopposite manner. An earlier study found that only 2% of the world’s 6,000-plus threatened orendangered species were registered in zoo breeding programs. It is clear from these statisticsthat zoos actually do very little to help save the world’s endangered animals.Some people say that animals in zoos are well looked after and are happy and contented. Butwild animals need their freedom. No matter how well their keepers care for them, many sufferbecause they are not suited to living in a cage, tank or enclosure. Thus animals should not besubjected to captivity. 3. ArtYayoi Kusama - 2017 showcase at the National Gallery Singapore1) Some people believe that studying art at school is a waste of time. What do you think?I do not believe that studying art at school is a waste of time. To comprehend the benefits ofstudying art better, we should look beyond the tangible benefits, the intangible yet invaluablebenefits. An arts education can broaden one’s cultural knowledge, and perhaps, you may evendiscover your talent for art. It can also help students develop critical thought and creativeexpression, and also enrich their study of other subjects. The creative thinking skills developedwhen you are exposed to art enable you to be original and innovative which are key attributesfor individual success and social prosperity. A reasonable sound art knowledge that is acquiredwhilst studying in school can help students who want tobecome a Private Banker because SG is renowned as a personal Wealth Management Centrefor attracting High Net Worth Clients in this region and from the world too to park their money

here an Art is an Investment Asset Class. Some students may avoid learning art because of thestigma that art is for the unintelligent, or less academically inclined. Some may even attach apessimistic label to an artistic career as risky, difficult, unappreciated, unrewarding, and notremunerated well. However, nothing is further from the truth that we need art. Imagine a worldwithout art - a place with no pictures in children’s books, no poetry, no music etc., it would bevery lacklustre/ dull and boring. If we take a look around us, you will realise that art is ubiquitousand it takes on all forms. The garments we clothe ourselves in are designed by fashiondesigners. The various objects that we have, from our phones to our furniture at home, aredesigned by product designers. The homes and buildings that we inhabit are designed byarchitects and interior designers. Even the green landscape that Singapore enjoys is designedby landscape architects. These things do not just happen bychance, but are conceived through the creative mind which studying art brings about creativethinking. 2) Do you think that our society today places sufficient emphasis on art?It is universally acknowledged that a country in possession of a First World reputation must alsohave a thriving arts scene. Singapore is no exception. The Singapore government recognisesart’s importance to our society and their deliberate efforts to emphasize it do not go unnoticed.Singapore’s art scene is relatively young or in