i can’t help being cynical sometimes, the module i’m taking which demands that we critique, critique and critique. that makes me even more, erm, critical.

but let’s look at some excerpts:

Malay/Muslim community is better off now than 25 years ago: PM Lee

• More Malay students are pursuing post-secondary education and more in the community are also holding better-paying jobs.
• Mr Lee gave an example - more than 80 per cent of Malay students now make it to post-secondary education such as ITEs and polytechnics.
• More Malay/Muslim households have upgraded to better housing too. The vast majority own their own homes – 93 per cent, that’s about the same as the national average.
• Collectively, these indicators reflect a community enjoying higher living standards and better quality of life.
• Although the community has shown progress, Mr Lee said it still has to tackle some pressing issues such as the problems of dysfunctional families.
• Though such problems are not common, Mr Lee said they could affect the educational performance of the Malay/Muslim community.

1) and they’re really comparing against? i mean, as a whole, all singaporeans have better-paying jobs, education levels and housing than they did 25 years ago right? so there’s something very warped about the way they are doing comparisons. or are they segregating the comparisons according to communities so that the chinese, malays and indians can progress in their own directions, with varying speeds? so, ahem, where’s the value of their findings?

2) i’m pretty sure quality of life and living standards doesn’t just mean higher disposable incomes and owning houses. the last time i heard, it also included cost of living, work-life balance and stuff and to me, it certainly includes not having to work past the age of 55. okay, at most 60. their definitions of quality of life and living standards don’t include the non-tangible variables eh?

3) yes, i know education is the big thing on the sunny island now. but seriously, if i were them i’ll worry more about the character, psychological and moral development of kids in dysfunctional families. what’s the point of being educated if one grows up to be an evil person? besides, hasn’t our friendly media featured countless stories of people who made it big despite having dropped out of school?

right, back to the real article critique i have to submit tomorrow.