Sengkang temple site not meant for commercial columbarium: MND
The Ministry of National Development is in discussions with Eternal Pure Land to see how the land can be restored to the original plan of a Chinese temple, Minister Khaw Boon Wan says.
SINGAPORE: The decision to award a site designated as Place of Worship to a company not affiliated to a religious organisation is a first for the Government, said National Development Minister Khaw Boon Wan in Parliament on Thursday (Jan 29).
Mr Khaw said the Ministry of National Development is "in discussion" with Eternal Pure Land to "ensure that the land is restored to the original plan of a Chinese temple". He was responding to questions posed by MPs Seng Han Thong, Lee Li Lian and Lee Bee Wah.
"We now understand that the winning tenderer for this site, Eternal Pure Land, is actually a private company without any religious affiliation. From what we know, the plan of the company is to run a commercial columbarium on the site," the minister said. "This is not in line with our plan for the Places of Worship site."
He added that many temples provide an incidental columbarium service for their members and devotees, and whether the eventual temple in Sengkang will provide such a service is a decision for the temple trustees to make.
Mr Khaw said a review to improve land tender process for Places of Worship was launched late last year, for example by tightening eligibility requirements for tenderers.
"We have been engaging religious groups on the review. The Sengkang temple case has highlighted the necessity for such a review. I will provide more information when the review is completed," he stated.
The current tender process allows for religious organisations and companies to participate. This is because some of the religious organisations form companies to enable and facilitate their ownership and development of such sites.
"This has been the practice since 1991 when State Lands were put up for tenders for Places of Worship use. The assumption is that only companies affiliated to religious organisations would participate in such tenders," he added. Since 1991, seven sites have been won by companies, all affiliated to religious organisations.
Previously, property owners in Sengkang were up in arms over plans to build a Buddhist temple with columbarium services near their new homes, despite measures to mitigate possible inconveniences for residents being put in place.
The Housing and Development Board and Urban Redevelopment Authority indicated that plans for a columbarium at a Chinese temple planned in Sengkang can go ahead, despite objections from residents.
- CNA/kk
- wong chee tat :)
Showing posts with label Seng Kang Primary School. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Seng Kang Primary School. Show all posts
Thursday, January 29, 2015
Friday, November 23, 2012
More PSLE students qualify for secondary schools
More PSLE students qualify for secondary schools
By Sharon See | Posted: 22 November 2012 1940 hrs
SINGAPORE: More students qualify for secondary schools this year as compared to last year, with 97.6 per cent obtaining a pass for the Primary School Leaving Examination.
The passing rate last year was 97.4 per cent.
This is also the first time that the Ministry of Education is not naming the top scorers in the national examination... in a break from its practice of many years.
At Nanyang Primary School, a sense of anticipation fills the air.
The school has done exceptionally well this year, with 45 students obtaining aggregate scores above 270, and a 100 per cent pass in English Language.
Among them was Shermaine Ang who obtained 275 points, and done so without any tuition.
Beyond good grades, the prefect is also an all-rounder, having clinched two good character awards while balancing her time between Chinese calligraphy and guzheng (a Chinese instrument) in school.
Shermaine Ang said: "I believe that enriching myself is important as well, not only by academic, but on a holistic one. Learning extra, not just to do well and succeed in life but more about learning about the culture, learning about other things, learn about how we can do many things besides studying. Studying's important too, but having other activities also helps you relax, relieve stress as well."
Seng Kang Primary School has also reported an improvement in the number of students who have obtained 250 points and above.
Naturally inquisitive Lee Xuan Jin credits the supportive environment in his school for helping him achieve 274 points.
He hopes to enter the Integrated Programme at Hwa Chong Institution.
Lee Xuan Jin said: "Hwa Chong Institution, it focuses more on the bilingual culture, so because I like both cultures, I would like to go to Hwa Chong, then I can expose myself to more knowledge."
Result slips show the highest aggregate score this year is 285.
And Channel NewsAsia understands that one student in Nanyang Primary is a top scorer in the PSLE.
It is the first time the MOE is not revealing the top scorer of the PSLE, and so far, reaction has been mixed. Some parents say it's a matter of time before they find out through word of mouth, while others say it does not matter to them who the top scorer is as long as their own children have done their best.
Internet forums like the one at kiasuparents.com, however, were abuzz with speculation on who the top scorer could be.
Jean Lai, a parent, said: "Actually I feel a little sad for children who have done really well because I think they should be honoured for what they have done for their good results."
Shermaine Ang added: "Personally I feel it's not a very good move because as a student, I understand how tough the competition is, and especially this year is the dragon year, so there're many more candidates taking the examination. I feel that if they release the result and tell us who the top scorer is, it's a benchmark for us, and we can do even better after this exam. It spurs our juniors on, makes them do even better.
"In recent years, the neighbourhood schools all that have got top scorers as well, so I think it's a really good motivation for the students from other schools as well, not only from my school, or other so-called brand-name schools. I don't believe there's a separation between brand-name and neighbourhood schools. I think we're all equal."
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat has said on his Facebook page the ministry's move in not naming the top scorer is "not to address stress per se, or move away from merit".
He said the PSLE is not the be-all and end-all, and there are now more avenues to recognise success.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
By Sharon See | Posted: 22 November 2012 1940 hrs
SINGAPORE: More students qualify for secondary schools this year as compared to last year, with 97.6 per cent obtaining a pass for the Primary School Leaving Examination.
The passing rate last year was 97.4 per cent.
This is also the first time that the Ministry of Education is not naming the top scorers in the national examination... in a break from its practice of many years.
At Nanyang Primary School, a sense of anticipation fills the air.
The school has done exceptionally well this year, with 45 students obtaining aggregate scores above 270, and a 100 per cent pass in English Language.
Among them was Shermaine Ang who obtained 275 points, and done so without any tuition.
Beyond good grades, the prefect is also an all-rounder, having clinched two good character awards while balancing her time between Chinese calligraphy and guzheng (a Chinese instrument) in school.
Shermaine Ang said: "I believe that enriching myself is important as well, not only by academic, but on a holistic one. Learning extra, not just to do well and succeed in life but more about learning about the culture, learning about other things, learn about how we can do many things besides studying. Studying's important too, but having other activities also helps you relax, relieve stress as well."
Seng Kang Primary School has also reported an improvement in the number of students who have obtained 250 points and above.
Naturally inquisitive Lee Xuan Jin credits the supportive environment in his school for helping him achieve 274 points.
He hopes to enter the Integrated Programme at Hwa Chong Institution.
Lee Xuan Jin said: "Hwa Chong Institution, it focuses more on the bilingual culture, so because I like both cultures, I would like to go to Hwa Chong, then I can expose myself to more knowledge."
Result slips show the highest aggregate score this year is 285.
And Channel NewsAsia understands that one student in Nanyang Primary is a top scorer in the PSLE.
It is the first time the MOE is not revealing the top scorer of the PSLE, and so far, reaction has been mixed. Some parents say it's a matter of time before they find out through word of mouth, while others say it does not matter to them who the top scorer is as long as their own children have done their best.
Internet forums like the one at kiasuparents.com, however, were abuzz with speculation on who the top scorer could be.
Jean Lai, a parent, said: "Actually I feel a little sad for children who have done really well because I think they should be honoured for what they have done for their good results."
Shermaine Ang added: "Personally I feel it's not a very good move because as a student, I understand how tough the competition is, and especially this year is the dragon year, so there're many more candidates taking the examination. I feel that if they release the result and tell us who the top scorer is, it's a benchmark for us, and we can do even better after this exam. It spurs our juniors on, makes them do even better.
"In recent years, the neighbourhood schools all that have got top scorers as well, so I think it's a really good motivation for the students from other schools as well, not only from my school, or other so-called brand-name schools. I don't believe there's a separation between brand-name and neighbourhood schools. I think we're all equal."
Education Minister Heng Swee Keat has said on his Facebook page the ministry's move in not naming the top scorer is "not to address stress per se, or move away from merit".
He said the PSLE is not the be-all and end-all, and there are now more avenues to recognise success.
- CNA/de
- wong chee tat :)
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