I am thankful that

a. I am blessed with a wonderful group of students who can think.

b. I am blessed with students who are hardworking

c. they believe in themselves and place their trust in an Ess.

Most important of all I am thankful to God that He gave us the wisdom to be able to focus on the right thing in life.


Ad maiorem Dei gloriam

Final Notes from the Ess

We have done our best. Remember this is a THINKING paper. Stop and think before you even start to write.

What happen if all you study did not come out?

Use common sense Do NOT Panic

What happen if all you study come out?

Panic

For you will be tempted to show off and tell the examiner how much you know and so will not stduy the question and answer the question. You will aslo spend too much time on one question and no time for the rest.

Remember this

Paper start at 2.30 p.m.

2.35 p.m. to start 1 a

2.45 p.m. to start 1 b

2.55 p.m. to start 1c

3.05 p.m. to start 1d

By 3.15 p.m. must start SEQ (a)

By 3.45 p.m. start the second SEQ (b)

Singapore challenges

1. Short Term --- to keep the economy humming along and to look after low income earner

2.Medium Term --- focus on how to produce enough Singaporean babies and to attract foreign talent

3. Long Term --- Singapore has to renew its political leadership and build up a sense of identity

P.M. Lee Hsien Loong

Use it in any way you can

1. Cold War

The Cold War refers to the political, ideological and economic rivarlry that emerged after World War II betwen US and its allies and the Soviet Union and its allies.

It is one of the reason for the causes of conflict. e.g. will be the Korea War bettwen North and South Korea. (Can be used for causes for conflict Textbook. pg 163)

2. The COD Wars

The Cod Wars, also called the Iceland Cod Wars were a series of confrontations in the 1970s between the United Kingdom and Iceland regarding fishing rights in the North Atlantic. The name of the conflict may be derived from a pun on the term "Cold War", possibly via the British tabloid press (Can be used for causes for conflict Textbook. pg 161)

3. Peacekeeping Force

Peacekeeping, as defined by the United Nations, is "a way to help countries torn by conflict create conditions for sustainable peace."[1] It is distinguished from both peacebuilding and peacemaking.
Peacekeepers monitor and observe peace processes in post-conflict areas and assist ex-combatants in implementing the peace agreements they may have signed. Such assistance comes in many forms, including confidence-building measures, power-sharing arrangements, electoral support, strengthening the rule of law, and economic and social development. Accordingly UN peacekeepers (often referred to as Blue Beret because of their light blue berets or helmets) can include soldiers, civilian police officers, and other civilian personnel.

4. Armed Conflict

War and armed conflict are often treated as synonymous terms. War can be describedas the extreme form of armed conflict and usually takes place between states. Armedconflict implies the pursuit of objectives through violence. The Red Cross definition ofarmed conflict is: “any difference between two states leading to the intervention of themembers of the armed forces is an armed conflict.”

5.1964 Racial Riots

The 1964 Race Riots were a series of riots that took place in Singapore during two separate periods in July and September between Chinese and Malay groups. The first incident occurred on 21 July during a Malay procession that marked Muhammad's birthday. In total, the violence killed 36 people and injured another 556. About 3,000 people were arrested. The riots are also known as the Prophet Muhammad Birthday Riots, 1964 Racial Riots, and 1964 Sino-Malay Riots. At that time, Singapore was a state in the Federation of Malaysia. (Can be used for Managing perceptions of different racial groups Textbook. pg 137)

6. The Maria Hertogh Riots

The Maria Hertogh riots or Natrah riots, which started on 11 December 1950 in Singapore, consisted of outraged Muslims who resented the court decision to give the custody of Maria Hertogh (or Bertha Hertogh), then 13, to her biological Dutch Catholic parents after she had been raised as a Muslim under the care of Aminah binte Mohamed, whom she regarded as her mother. The riots lasted till noon on 13 December, with 18 killed, 173 injured and many properties damaged – the worst incident of its kind ever witnessed in Singapore.[dubious – discuss]
Prior to the riots, the disputed custody of Maria had received widespread press coverage. Many Muslims living in Malaya and Indonesia believed in the legitimacy of the adoption of Maria and a later short-lived marriage to Mansoor Adabi, two major points of contest in the court proceeding to determine the custody of Maria. They thus lent their support, financial and moral, to organizations that fought to keep Maria in Malaya. But some, such as the Malayan nationalists, seized the incident as an opportunity to further weaken the colonial government's position in the region. The insensitivity of the colonial government towards Muslim sentiments and the involvement of radical elements eventually culminated in the tragedy. (Can be used for Managing perceptions of different religious groups Textbook. pg 139)

Very Important.

We need to get the following concepts clear.

Racial Harmony IS NOT the same as National Identity which IS NOT the same as Ethnic Diversity.

For example, in Sri Lanka there is ethnic diversity. It is so strong that the Sinhalese and Tamil could nt see eye to eye. So there is no racial harmony. When there is no racial harmony it will lead to conflict.

In Singapore, there is ethnic diversity. We do not force the Chinese to be Malay or India to be Chinese. Yet there is racial harmony because we accept each other. For example. during the seven month the Chinese burn alot of paper and joss stick but the other races accept this.They do not say it is air pollution. The Malaya prays five time a day and the mosque will call the Malays to pray but we do not say it is noise pollution. On Friday the school ends at 12.30 to allow the Malays to pray. So there is no need for us to fight like the Sinhalese and Tamil in Sri Lanka.

Social Harmony --- Different group living peacefully together.

To develop social harmony develop common space

to develop common space have

1.events and programmes organised by grassroots organisation (Textbk 149)
2.Opportunities offered by educational institution(TextBk 150)
3.Common living space provided by public housing.(TextBk 151)
4. Activities conducted by Inter-Racial Confidence Circles(IRCC) amd Harmony Circles(HCs)(TextBk 152)
5.Shared experience through National Services.(TextBk 153)

Once we have developed common space we can have racial harmony.

But having racial harmony does not mean that there will be ethnic diversity.

must safeguard the interests of the minority groups to have or promote ethnic diversity

1.minority representation(TextBk 147)


2.self-help group.(TextBk 148)


To build a National Identity


1. multi-racialism(Textbk 145)

2.common practices (146)

3.bilingualism (146)

Now to manage ethnic diversity we must have


1.Develop common space

2.safe guard the interest of the minority

3.to build national identity

e.g. Mrs Ess is a Chinese married to a Eurasian. She celebrate Chinese New Year and Christmas. She speaks Chinese and English. This is ethnic diversity. I am free to be a Chinese and marry a Eurasian

However I am a Singaporean first and I will help any Singapore. Mr Gana a Tamil is my good friend. He also see himself as a Singaporean. Together we will work for the progress of Singapore. This is national identity.

Social Cohesion is when all races are allowed to freely practice their religion and culture and other race accept these practices.The races are willing to work together.

In other words, I am a Chinese(ethnic diversity) working in a Singapore School (National Identity) teaching all the students -- Indian,Malay, Chinese Eurasian. (social cohesion)








Proud to be Singaporean with Chinese mother, Eurasian father, Indonesian grandfather, India grandmother.

Notice the different skin tone of Mrs Ess's children.Some are darker, some are lighter all equally important to her regardless of the skin colour

Principle of good governance

Read the following article and see if you can find the principles of good governance.

Marina Barrage

Singapore's Latest Water Icon

Built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-thirds of the country's land area.

The Marina Barrage is the result of Minister Mentor Lee Kuan Yew's vision nearly two decades ago when he envisaged damming the mouth of the Marina Channel to create a freshwater reservoir. (What principles of good governance is this?)

3-in-1 Benefits
Water Supply
Flood Control
Lifestyle Attraction

Water Supply
The Marina Barrage is a 350-meter wide dam built across the Marina Channel to keep out seawater, forming Singapore’s first reservoir in the city and 15th reservoir. Marina Reservoir combines with the future Punggol and Serangoon reservoirs will increase Singapore's water catchment areas from half to two-thirds of Singapore's land areas.

With the barrage in place, the Marina Basin will turn into a body of freshwater through natural flushing in one two to years. The freshwater will then be treated using advanced membrane technology before consumption.

Local catchment water is one of the Four National Taps, with the other three being imported water, NEWater and desalinated water.

As one of the pillars of local water supply, Marina Reservoir will meet more than 10% of Singapore’s current water demand.

Flood Control

The Marina Barrage is part of a comprehensive flood control scheme to alleviate flooding in the low-lying areas in the city such as Chinatown, Boat Quay, Jalan Besar and Geylang.

During heavy rain, the series of nine crest gates at the dam will be activated to release excess storm water into the sea when the tide is low.
In the case of high tide, giant pumps which are capable of pumping an Olympics-size swimming pool per minute will drain excess storm water into the sea.

Lifestyle Attraction

As the water in the Marina Basin is unaffected by the tides, its water level will be kept constant all year round. This is ideal for all kinds of recreational activities such as boating, windsurfing, kayaking and dragonboating etc.

answer: Anticipate change and stay relevant. Principle of being forward looking.

The following are TWO strategies to overcome challenges of globalisation:
i. Managing resources efficiently
ii. Venturing abroad

Which is more important in ensuring Singapore's future economic developments? Explain your answer.

Issue: Singapore's future economic development
Given Factor :
a.Managing resources efficiently
b.Venturing abroad

Rank:
Primary Factor:
Venturing abroad as Singapore is too small to depend on herself. Economic development has to be generated by participating in a globalised world economy.
Secondary Factor:

Managing resources efficiently is also important as Singapore is a small country with limited land,people and water. If these resources are not managed efficiently, then it will not be a good environment for economic development. But being able to manage the environment alone is not sufficient to ensure economic development.

Singapore still need to depend on other countries like China, Japan and United State to sustain her economic development. This is because she has to sell her goods and services to these countries.


Suggested answer.

Several important strategies have been used in ensuring Singapore's future economic developments. Two of these strategies are to manage her resources effectively and venturing abroad.


One of the ways to manage Singapore resources effectively is to develop Singapore human resources. In a globalising world, business competition will increase, it is critical to train a pool of entrepreneurs to venture beyond the boundary of the country. This can help to create more business and trade opportunity for the country's industry. This can prevent the nation from becoming stagnant.

Another way is to ensure that the workforce must be trained and retrained in order for them to remain competitive in the global economy where businesses are getting more mobile. This is critical as it ensure that they remain relevant in the ever changing economy.

Meanwhile the country must continue to try to attract foreign talent. This would help to ensure a ready of experts to be employed in the different industry. The foreign contact which they bring can help to create more business opportunities.

Beside managing the human resources, we must also ensure that the physical environment is well managed. The physical condition of the nation must be maintain in order to continue to attractive to foreign investment. For example, built across the mouth of the Marina Channel, the Marina Barrage creates Singapore’s 15th reservoir, and the first in the heart of the city. With a catchment area of 10,000 hectares, or one-sixth the size of Singapore, the Marina catchment is the island’s largest and most urbanised catchment. Together with two other new reservoirs, the Marina Reservoir will boost Singapore’s water catchment from half to two-third's of the country's land area.In this way Singapore need not depend on Malaysia solely for her water needs.

Although managing Singapore resources is a necessary strategy for Singapore future economic development, it is not a sufficient condition. She still has to venture abroad.

Singapore can invest in their neighbouring countries so as to tap on the lower labour costs and new market . For example, Singapore has developed several industrial parks in India, Vietnam and China so that Singapore's business can tap of these countries cheaper resources. In this way, Singapore's economic development can be ensured as the business continue to grow.

Another way it to have cooperation with other countries like forming partnership with other nations which can further strengthen relationship between the nations. Hence, promoting further growth between the 2 countries. One method is to sign Free Trade Agreement with countries like China, New Zealand and Australia. It can help open up more trade and business opportunities for the companies in both partnering countries. These investment can ensure long term growth. The spread of investments across the world would help to ensure that the country's economic growth is maintained even if the markets and investment in one particular region are weakened.

Ultimately, Singapore must always look to the world for her future economic development as her domestic market is too small to sustain her economic growth.Therefore venturing abroad is a more important strategies then managing her resources effectively. Even in her desire to manage her human resources effectively, she still has to venture abroad to attract foreign talent, train entrepreneurs to venture beyond the boundary of the country.Therefore I believe that venturing abroad is the more important strategy.

Dear students,


For SBQ: Remember to READ ALL Sources before you start to answer the Questions.Once 45 minutes is up you must start SEQ.Each SEQ is 20 min. Underline the factors and give issue.

I have written many suggested answers.
The worst you can do is to remember and learnt by heart these answers.

You must just read and understand why i choose one factor/reason or causes above the other.

You are free to disagree with me and choose other factors/reason or causes as long as you can give a reason why your choice is better then mine.

You will be shock at how short my answers are. Remember you have 20 minutes for each SEQ and you must give yourself time to THINK. So what the examiner wants is your you to show that you can THINK.. So P.E.E.L. Make your point. explain your point, provide an example for your point and most important of all LINK back to the issue.

For each question, I have showed that I link back to the issue.I also write down
Issue:
Given Factor
Alternative Factor

So that I will not be out of point.

Remember P.E.E.L. for SEQ

For SBQ.
1. for inference question ICE the POA.
2. Ying Yang for Usefulness, proof and reliability
3. Weighing scale for compare and contrast

Study this SBQ http://comhumss.blogspot.com/2008/10/sbq-on-un.html which i have identified the ICE,PAO YingYang and weighing scale.

Remember purpose words
1. to inspire, to motivate, to persuade,
2. to scold, to argue, to discredit, to make fun, to poke fun
3. to draw attention to, to explain, to informed

Outcome words
1.To reinforce the writer's view
2. to change audience's view
3. to achieve his purpose of....
4. to make audience support his point of view
5. to make audienec take action
Good luck.

Sustaining Economic Development

How far was the economic impact of globalisation an important benefit to the world? Explain your answer. [12]

Issue : What benefit does globalisation brings to the world?
Given Factor: Economic impact of globalisation
Alternative Factor: Social impact

Globalisation is a double-edged sword. The forces of globalisation will bring about several impacts. These impact can produce both benefit and problems.

The economic impact of globalisation can bring about important benefit to the world. With globalisation, it brings about greater amount of trade and industrial development. This would help to create employment opportunities thereby reduce problems caused by unemployment. Many countries can also enjoy increased in their income levels. As countries generate more revenue, the money collected can be channelled to improvement in education, health, defence, housing and transportation for the people in the country. The standard of living for the people would improve. In this heighten competitive world, countries would work to remain competitive in this global world. In the process of improving its competitiveness, the people would also get to enjoy the improvements made in the country.

Apart from producing economic impact,globalisation will also bring about social impact which can also bring about benefit to the world. With increase in globalisation, people become more aware of different cultures. Through the different media, one can learn about the history, culture and way of life of people around the world Globalisation creates opportunities for the world to interact. This helped to create opportunity for greater understanding, appreciation and integration of the different cultures in the world. In the long run, it would helped to encourage world peace where people around the world will see beyond their differences. Therefore the social impact of globalisation can also bring about benefit to the world.

Apart these two impacts, globalisation can also bring about environmental impact. Due to globalisation brought about an increase in environmental degradation. However, due to increase in globalisation has also helped to increase a global awareness of environmental management
More countries are looking at seeking alternative energy sources, such as wind, solar and geothermal energy to provide for the energy it needed. In this was teh environmental impact of globalisation can also benefit the world.

Utimately, it is difficult to seperate the benefit in to economic, socail and environmentl impact. Globalisation will bring important benefit to the world.