Mothership Memo is Mothership’s daily brief on the important headlines of the day. We will also contribute our views on the issues at hand.

Education system to allow 'young people access to jobs': Heng Swee Keat

After a five-day study trip to Norway and Netherlands, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said that Singapore's education system must evolve to ensure that young Singaporeans have the necessary skills to keep up with the changing economy. He said that this could be achieved by ensuring the schools provide students with a strong foundation in literacy and numeracy, a good grounding in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), and skills in problem solving and in applying knowledge.

It is important for the education system to prepare young Singaporeans for the workforce and to be economically productive. The challenge is how the system goes about achieving this without putting too much pressure on children. For example, Singapore's primary school syllabus for Mathematics and English is one to three years ahead Canada, the United States and several other developed nations. It is timely to review whether this increased difficulty in the syllabus has any real-world advantages in developing our young children for the future.

Nicoll Highway hero honoured with bench named after him

It has been 10 years since the collapse of Nicoll Highway. On that fateful day, foreman Heng Yeow Pheow gave his life to save eight workers who were trapped in the rubble. He did not make it out and his body was never found. On the 10th anniversary of the incident, a bench in Tampines Tree Park has been dedicated to him for his act of heroism. His family chose the park because it was their favourite and also closest to their home.

It is heartening to note that a real hero of Singapore has not been forgotten. While hospitals, school buildings, and fellowships get named after big-spending beneficiaries of Singapore, it is important for Singaporeans to know that other forms of contribution to the nation, aside from money, are also celebrated.

Top photo from here. 

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