The Minister's bundle of treasures represent the values he hopes will steady students amid the nation's worst economic recession in decades. -- PHOTO: YEN FENG
CONFIDENCE, Compartments, Compassion and Company - these are the four Cs Education Minister Ng Eng Heng hopes to put in the backpacks of students as they prepare for university life.
Company: the importance of a life partner
Of the four items on the Minister's wish-list for Singapore's students, the last - 'Company' - drew a few giggles as Dr Ng reminded them of the importance of a life partner.
'Even the social reasons for marriage - compassion and parenthood - have competing alternatives of singlehood, marriage without kids and the singular pursuit of one's career.
Dr Ng, who is also Singapore's Second Minister for Defence, spoke on Tuesday at the National University of Singapore during the nation's annual Pre-University seminar, whose theme this year is 'From Crisis to Confidence: Lessons and Opportunities'.
Some 500 students from junior colleges, polytechnics and secondary schools attended the event.
The Minister's bundle of treasures for the students, aged between 16 and 19, represent the values he hopes will steady them amid the nation's worst economic recession in decades.
Referring to previous national crises such as the Japanese Occupation and the struggle for Independence, Dr Ng asked: 'If each generation gets its quota of adversity, then how do we best prepare for it? Through every crisis, some survive or do better and others don't.
'What is it that produces different outcomes when difficulties arise?'
Dr Ng urged confidence and compassion to exercise humility and generosity even in the pursuit of success. As for 'compartments', he advised students not to be overwhelmed by their commitments.
He said: 'It forces you to decide what needs to be discarded and what needs to be at hand; to differentiate what you must have compared to what would be good to have. 'In short, it reflects good judgement.'
Dr Ng's address was followed by a 30-minute dialogue session with the attending students.
On Thursday, participants will gather again to discuss - through digital presentations and quilt-making - how citizens can help each other through the recession.
