How are you? I am the same but feeling older. Very tired.
(1) I am glad that you advised me to work in education related area a dozen years ago. I am happy that I am able to do so. Without your advice, I would be here. Although I talk about children now, it is much practical than before. I have time to look around and think. It is scary but I feel that the system is failing. Although this system produces more 'elite' but there are also more losers compared to the older generations.
A few months ago, it was published that there are 15% Normal Tech and 25% Normal Academics. Imagine 40% of our future 'abnormal'. The system takes great care of the top 20%. We are having a new Principal. For 30 years (age 7 to 37), I never think that Principal is a tough job. But when I look at my new Principal I just shake my head. I wonder how is she going to make the school 'prosperous'.
(2) It has been published so many times that customer support get pay rise but not me. I joined in Mar 01. I got my last increment in Mar 03 and not a single cent rise after that till now. I am glad that after almost 5 years, I am expecting an increase of $60 in Jan 08. After that it is another 'drought' - long wait again. But what should I do? If you read the papers carefully, the pay rise is only applicable to super scales and higher level. Sad to say I am a lowest level. I label myself as the most less prospect staff in the school. Because I stopped getting pay rise at 32. Most of the time I care less. I just do my part and that's it. I don't think there is any moral left. In terms of competencies among the 4 Technical Support Officer I am the best. But the other 3 are at a higher grade and receive higher pay than me.
(3) Chinese Nationals and expatriate Indians. Do you notice that you see more of them around? The Prima Deli incident – bacteria found in the chocolate cream. Look at their off springs. Their juniors are brighter and smarter. Our juniors are lagging behind. They will dominate us soon. My colleague told me that in National University of Singapore, Chinese nationals are nicknamed as Ah Tiong ( the one that knows all).
One day, I bought my son to the zoo and there were so many Chinese nationals. Mind you, the bright ones. There are so many, there are Ah Sing (lower level who cannot get into school). I think they will be the scientist or leaders and ours becoming odd job laborers. Reversing what it is now. They excel in lots of areas. But what about our child future?
(4) My husband's job in Chiang Mai was a horror. Later he found a job in Esco Singapore run by a local CEO & family. Now he is working under a local company but is being posted to China with 3 home trips a year. I think this is a better organization at least he gets his contributions. I heard things also changed in FR. Globalisation? More than 10 years ago, everybody was happy. 7 years ago, it wasn't so bad either. Things got worst since my son started P1. My son is as old as Cedric (my nephew).
(5) We see nothing but increases from the papers. Taxi fare up, school bus fee up, high level civil servant pay up, property price up. That is on the surface only, the truth is my property price doesn't go up. I only take taxis during emergencies so it doesn't affect me much. My son only took the school bus when he was in P1 & 2 (1yr 3 months) because the school was under prime and relocated to Ang Mo Kio Street. Now the school has moved back and he only needs to walk to school with shelter all the way. A blessing. My husband was so pleased after reading the news. A big thank you to you again. If I didn't resign and work in a school, I won't have time to think and take action.
(6) I have subscribed to Time and I am reading the old issues. I read an article on the last page yesterday. The book is not with me now. If not, I could type it out for you. It is about what is the point of living if we eat healthy to avoid getting cancer. Someone can eats carefully and still get cancer. So it depends on 4% fate. I am thinking should we leave our life to fate? In this case, is it true that prevention is better than cure?
This is just life.
Best Wishes,
PS, sorry that I got carried away and wrote such a long mail.
(1) I am glad that you advised me to work in education related area a dozen years ago. I am happy that I am able to do so. Without your advice, I would be here. Although I talk about children now, it is much practical than before. I have time to look around and think. It is scary but I feel that the system is failing. Although this system produces more 'elite' but there are also more losers compared to the older generations.
A few months ago, it was published that there are 15% Normal Tech and 25% Normal Academics. Imagine 40% of our future 'abnormal'. The system takes great care of the top 20%. We are having a new Principal. For 30 years (age 7 to 37), I never think that Principal is a tough job. But when I look at my new Principal I just shake my head. I wonder how is she going to make the school 'prosperous'.
(2) It has been published so many times that customer support get pay rise but not me. I joined in Mar 01. I got my last increment in Mar 03 and not a single cent rise after that till now. I am glad that after almost 5 years, I am expecting an increase of $60 in Jan 08. After that it is another 'drought' - long wait again. But what should I do? If you read the papers carefully, the pay rise is only applicable to super scales and higher level. Sad to say I am a lowest level. I label myself as the most less prospect staff in the school. Because I stopped getting pay rise at 32. Most of the time I care less. I just do my part and that's it. I don't think there is any moral left. In terms of competencies among the 4 Technical Support Officer I am the best. But the other 3 are at a higher grade and receive higher pay than me.
(3) Chinese Nationals and expatriate Indians. Do you notice that you see more of them around? The Prima Deli incident – bacteria found in the chocolate cream. Look at their off springs. Their juniors are brighter and smarter. Our juniors are lagging behind. They will dominate us soon. My colleague told me that in National University of Singapore, Chinese nationals are nicknamed as Ah Tiong ( the one that knows all).
One day, I bought my son to the zoo and there were so many Chinese nationals. Mind you, the bright ones. There are so many, there are Ah Sing (lower level who cannot get into school). I think they will be the scientist or leaders and ours becoming odd job laborers. Reversing what it is now. They excel in lots of areas. But what about our child future?
(4) My husband's job in Chiang Mai was a horror. Later he found a job in Esco Singapore run by a local CEO & family. Now he is working under a local company but is being posted to China with 3 home trips a year. I think this is a better organization at least he gets his contributions. I heard things also changed in FR. Globalisation? More than 10 years ago, everybody was happy. 7 years ago, it wasn't so bad either. Things got worst since my son started P1. My son is as old as Cedric (my nephew).
(5) We see nothing but increases from the papers. Taxi fare up, school bus fee up, high level civil servant pay up, property price up. That is on the surface only, the truth is my property price doesn't go up. I only take taxis during emergencies so it doesn't affect me much. My son only took the school bus when he was in P1 & 2 (1yr 3 months) because the school was under prime and relocated to Ang Mo Kio Street. Now the school has moved back and he only needs to walk to school with shelter all the way. A blessing. My husband was so pleased after reading the news. A big thank you to you again. If I didn't resign and work in a school, I won't have time to think and take action.
(6) I have subscribed to Time and I am reading the old issues. I read an article on the last page yesterday. The book is not with me now. If not, I could type it out for you. It is about what is the point of living if we eat healthy to avoid getting cancer. Someone can eats carefully and still get cancer. So it depends on 4% fate. I am thinking should we leave our life to fate? In this case, is it true that prevention is better than cure?
This is just life.
Best Wishes,
PS, sorry that I got carried away and wrote such a long mail.
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