Forum: Keeping Singapore clean is a collective responsibility
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
Follow topic:
I refer to the commentary “ Singapore’s dirty little sense of entitlement
Many of us have grown accustomed to relying on cleaners to maintain the cleanliness of public spaces. We may see litter on the ground, but do nothing about it, assuming cleaners will clear it away instead of taking the initiative to do it ourselves.
But if we want clean streets, our behaviour must change. This requires more than just installing bins or posting signs – it requires a comprehensive solution.
Schools already teach civic responsibility, but I think we can do more outside of school. Over the years, I have participated numerous times in litter-picking campaigns and noticed that other children, together with their parents, were enjoying the activity as much as I did. I believe this sense of responsibility can be nurtured into lasting habits.
Public education needs to go beyond campaigns to foster long-term habits in children at an early age and raise awareness among Singaporeans.
But more importantly, we need to instil a genuine sense of community stewardship towards our public spaces, where cleanliness is not seen as a service provided, but a responsibility shared by everyone.
Our estate cleaners work hard every day to keep our surroundings clean. Let’s support them by not making their job harder.
Until Singaporeans take ownership of the cleanliness they so aggressively tout, no cleaners or policies will do. A spotless city is not built by systems, but kept that way by the people who inhabit it.
Etienne Neo, 13
Secondary 1
