Term 2 Week 5 Assignment

School rules define the expected standards of conduct, but teenagers in general do not like restrictions, and being told what to do is viewed as oppressive. However, school rules are important in maintaining discipline in school and providing a safe and conducive environment for learning. If we give students more freedom when deciding school rules, students will modify the rules to further their self-interest. Thus, I think that in deciding school rules, “student rights” is subordinate to the greater good of the student population.

Students may claim that school rules do not acknowledge their right to freedom of expression. An example will be the compulsory school uniform. By forcing them into conformity and uniformity, students may feel that their personal and social space is restricted. However, uniforms foster a sense of unity, commitment and pride. They also provide a better learning environment by reducing the threat of violence and the sense of inferiority or superiority. From a utilitarian point of view, uniforms are beneficial to students.

Corporal punishment is still remains commonplace in Singapore. Some students regard it as tantamount to physical abuse, and call for the abolishment of school caning or less rigorous enforcement. However, school caning is needed to maintain strict discipline and a last resort after all avenues to correct the students such as detention and suspension have been exhausted. It is an effective way to deal with serious offences such as fighting, smoking and truancy, and protects students from going down the wrong path by teaching them what is safe and what is not.

The rise of the citizen journalist has led to a platform for students to vent their frustration over their “inappropriate” school rules. Due to the prevalence of social media, anything uploaded onto the Internet would be seen by virtually anyone in the world, thus seriously damaging the school’s hard-earned reputation. This issue brings to question if giving students more autonomy when deciding school rules will help solve the problem. However, the posting of irresponsible remarks on avenues like STOMP is already a serious offence. Students need to know that the decision of the School Authority is final, and that any comments should be kept to themselves. If the school softens its stance, it would lead to a vicious cycle of increasingly outrageous demands and concessions.

In conclusion, the consequentialist approach should be taken when deciding school rules, whether it is regarding freedom of expression, corporal punishment or irresponsible comments on STOMP. Freedom may progress to disorderliness, and in the end, everyone shares responsibility for the way things go. Better conservative than radical!

War - A Personal Response

“I am hit! I am hit!” A heart-wrenching wail reverberated among the ruins of the tin roofs from the numerous collapsed houses, where three U.S. Marines were using as a barricade against the incoming Viet Cong forces. I shot one last bullet at the enemy before crouching down to attend to my wounded comrade. Ben was shot in the head and arm, and was barely breathing. Another round of AK-47 bullets riddled our tin barricade. The spine-chilling screams of innocent civilians in the city of Hue, coupled with the deafening boom of houses crumbling to the ground, seemed so far away...

My other comrade, Tom, who had lost his left leg in a mine accident last year, hobbled over and bandaged Ben’s wounds as quickly as his shaky, sweaty hands could. Bright crimson blood contrasted jarringly with the dull grey tin roof his head was lying on. Even though we kept urging him to hold on, we knew in our hearts drearily that there was zero probability Ben could live to see another day. With a trembling, barely audible voice, Ben whispered, “Tell my mother I love her,” before dropping dead on the cold hard soil.

Wiping away a solitary tear, Tom solemnly removed the magazine around Ben’s body, and pried his rifle gingerly from his firm grip. After wiping away his blood and emptying the magazine from his rifle, I ceremoniously planted Ben’s rifle in the ground and left his helmet dangling at the tip of its barrel. After a moment of silence, Tom and I loaded our rifles and continued our firing at the enemy forces, perhaps with a little more vigor than before.

Images of devastated cities, mourning families, bodies damaged beyond recognition, helpless children, bloodied comrades, all flashed through my mind like a horror movie in slow motion, you anticipated the results but the results always surprised you. Hue might be the beginning of the end. Did we have to destroy this town to save it? Is war really an innate part of human nature? A shell flew over our heads...

Term 2 Week 4 Assignment

Due to the world’s energy crunch, the growing problem of global warming and increasing environmental awareness, nuclear energy is by far the most efficient and cleanest energy source. As the supply of oil, natural gas and coal dwindles, and the subsequent environmental problems caused become increasingly serious, nuclear energy can contribute greatly to the sustainable development of the energy supply of the 21st century, and the socio-economic development of the world.

Due to geographical position, land size and population density, Singapore had turned down nuclear energy as a viable energy option in the past. However, over 50 years of scientific and technological advancement, some of the problems nuclear plants faced in the past have been solved, and modern nuclear reactors can be built cheaper, smaller and safer. Nuclear energy can also improve energy security, reduce carbon emissions and lessen the impact fluctuations of oil and natural gas prices bring.

The building of nuclear plants can create many new job opportunities like nuclear scientists and engineers. Also, nuclear technology can also be used in areas such as cancer treatment, thus research and development in nuclear technology can greatly benefit our economic and medicinal advancements.

Another plus-side for nuclear energy is that nuclear reactors need a lot less fuel to produce as much electricity as a conventional power plant. Also, nuclear fuel can now be recycled and used repeatedly for a long period of time, thus reducing our reliance on imported fuel and ensuring long-term energy security.

We can say that most people know very little about nuclear energy. When we hear the word “nuclear”, we panic. The Japan nuclear crisis illustrated our ignorance clearly. Upon hearing that consuming iodine could prevent radiation effects, many people rushed to purchase salt. Maybe we would need quite some time before we could overcome this mental barrier.

Man only started using nuclear energy less than 60 years ago, and the few nuclear incidents have a negative effect on our hope of using nuclear energy safely. However, looking back at our development of technology, we should have the confidence that nuclear safety technology would be enhanced. Although we dare not say that it is 100% safe, the fact that nuclear energy is becoming safer and safer is an undeniable fact.

Term 2 Online Lesson 1: Crisis in Japan

Blk 123, Sushi Street, #01-345,
Sendai, Miyagi, 100-5678
13 March 2011

Dear Ben,

It’s been a while since I wrote, but I desperately want to find someone to share about my harrowing experience when the devastating earthquake and tsunami struck on 11 March.

It was the last day of my school exchange trip to Japan. I was resting in the hotel in Sendai when the 8.9-magnitude earthquake struck. I almost lost my balance as the ground rocked. For 2 terrifying minutes, I cowered under the table while vases, glassware and lamps came smashing down onto the floor. I heard the sound of pieces of ceiling plaster raining down and the shattering of glass windows. The lights flickered and went out. Then, it stopped. The silence was deafening. I dashed towards the door and rushed out of the hotel. A group of people were congregated anxiously outside the hotel, which fortunately survived the quake. There, I found all my teachers and schoolmates. Together, we got into our teachers’ cars and drove towards high ground as the car radio blasted frantic ‘tsunami-coming’ warnings.

Just as we reached the summit of a hill, I noticed that seawater at the coast had receded rapidly. I held my breath. Suddenly, a 10-metre wall of frothy roaring water swept inland at about 20 miles an hour! Fishing boats, trucks and even whole houses looked like small toys being thrown about by a boisterous child. Wherever the monster wave went, buildings crumbled, vehicles overturned and people screamed in despair. A few propane tanks blew up and fire raged across the water surface. Miles of wreckage were swept along towards us. I felt a pang of sadness as I witnessed a town completely devastated by the intense power of nature.

The waters had cut the road to the hilltop, leaving us stranded helplessly. We stayed there for the night until the next afternoon, where we were discovered by rescue workers. We were led to an evacuation centre and were offered food and water. Famished and freezing (at night the temperature dropped below zero), we tucked in heartily. What really impressed us was how stoic the Japanese are. When receiving their food rations, they lined up in an orderly manner. They did not panic of loot. They offered their food to us while they had their own families to feed. The order and generosity shown by the Japanese despite the disaster is remarkable. This is the Japanese spirit.

We were able to get cellular connection that evening, so I was able to contact my families and tell them that I was alright. We were able to travel to the nearest airport intact and book a flight back to Singapore this morning. I will be arriving in Singapore on this evening, so remember to be at Singapore Changi Airport at 7pm, Gate 50. It had been a daunting ordeal, yet I was fortunate to experience the warmth of the Japanese. I do not wish you were there though! Hope to hear from you soon.

Yours Sincerely,
Wei Cong