Fake Degree Peddler's Second School to Close Too

The Straits Times ran this story on 16 July 2009:

Fake degree peddler's second school to close too
By Amelia Tan & Corrie Tan

A SECOND private school run by a man who peddled fake degrees has been ordered to close.

In a statement yesterday, the Education Ministry (MOE) said it had revoked the registration of Stamford Global Learning Centre, which has about 40 students and is also operated by Mr Benny Yap Chee Mun.

The order came a day after another school owned by Mr Yap, Brookes Business School, was ordered to close.

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Students lured by attractive deal

BROOKES Business School offered something which many students found too good to refuse - a degree in a year for $12,000, and from the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT) no less.

But the scam was exposed by The Straits Times in a report last month.

Students were lured by the fact that the school was registered with the Education Ministry and had the CaseTrust quality mark.

In addition to RMIT degrees, it offered bachelor of business qualifications from a Brookes University - which students said they were told was based in Truro city in Cornwall, Britain - the University of Wales and the University of Ballarat in Australia.

Brookes Business School Registration Cancelled

AsiaOne ran this story on 15 July 2009:

Brookes Business School Registration Cancelled

Ministry of Education will cancel the registration of Brookes Business School effective today.

This follows the outcomes of investigations by the secretariat of the pro-tem Council for Private Education (CPE) on Brookes Business Schools for contraventions of the Education Act.

All affected students may approach the Association of Private Schools and Colleges (APSC) to seek assistance to be placed in another private education institution.

Students must be prepared to show proof that they are currently enrolled at the school, and must bring their student contracts, payment receipts, course schedules and assignments completed, and any past tests scripts and results.

International students holding student passes issued by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (ICA) should first approach the Consumers Association of Singapore (CASE) to get advice on fees return under the Student Protection Scheme.

Students may also contact Students may also contact pro-tem CPE via the MOE Customer Service at
(email) MOE_CPE_Contact@moe.gov.sg or (Telephone) 68722220 for clarifications.

The secretariat of the pro-tem CPE is working with various agencies and the private education industry players to put in place measures to ensure that affected students have other avenues to complete their studies.

Sex Education in Singapore

The Straits Times ran this story on 12 May 2009:

Sexuality 101

Last Wednesday, the Education Ministry said that it would suspend all external sexuality education programmes which organisations offer schools.

This followed complaints about the programme provided by Aware, which projects homosexuality as a 'neutral' activity.

Here is a run-down of the programmes that are or have been offered.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION (MOE)

What is taught: In the formal curriculum, topics on sexuality are incorporated in Science, Health Education and Civics, and Moral education lessons.

A co-curricular element was introduced in 2000 in the form of the Growing Years package.

This is divided into four segments.

The Curious Minds segment is for upper primary students experiencing the onset of puberty. It stresses the importance of character development and health. The multimedia content includes interactive games and role-play.

Topics include the reproductive system, pubertal changes and coping strategies, building healthy relationships and the importance of family.

The Teenage Years package for lower secondary students guides them on issues related to building self-esteem, why chastity and abstinence are important, and the consequences of pre-marital sex.

The Sense And Sexuality package for upper secondary students takes the view that this period of life is turbulent, leading youths to act on impulse, make short-sighted choices and experiment with activities, including sex.

It covers topics such as a better understanding of relationships, setting boundaries and understanding the influence of the media on sexuality.

The Love Matters segment for junior colleges and centralised institutes focuses on interpersonal relationships - touching on human development, sexual health and behaviour, and society and culture.

Is homosexuality discussed?

It is covered in one lesson in the lower secondary package.

Said an MOE spokesman: 'The lesson seeks to inform students of the definition of 'homosexual', and that homosexual acts are illegal under Singapore law.

'It does not promote homosexuality but follows social norms of mainstream society.'

AWARE

What is taught: The programme started in 2007 and has reached 11 schools so far. A maximum of 25 participants is allowed per workshop, which lasts three hours each time, either during or after school hours.

The programme was designed and drawn from an international workshop by the International Women's Health Coalition. Focus groups on the programme were also conducted in post-secondary institutions, and with teachers and parents.

The instructors' guide lists its objectives as helping participants to 'develop a healthy and positive attitude towards sexuality' and empowering them 'in their decision-making about their sexual life'.

The content ranges from HIV and Aids to other sexually transmitted infections (STIs), to contraception as well as relationship and body image issues.

Participants are taught that sexuality is normal but they should consider the consequences of teenage pregnancy and STIs.

They are also taught how to say 'no' if they are being pressured into sex and how to believe that they are worthy of a good relationship, no matter what people tell them.

Is homosexuality discussed?

The instructors' manual - which is not revealed to students - suggests that it be treated as neutral as 'it is perfectly normal... simply the way you are'.

Trainers have to follow some segments of this manual closely, such as teaching about risky sex and STIs, but the rest depends on how much time they have and the questions students ask.

The materials also include condoms and a 'simulated penis' to teach participants how to put on condoms.

Virginity is also suggested as a neutral term, or a 'a state of mind' as it may not necessarily be physical.

For example, girls may be considered virgins if they have not experienced being in a sexual relationship with men.

Anal sex is also suggested as a neutral term. A suggested explanation for this is that 'anal sex can be healthy or neutral if practised with consent and with a condom'.

The manual notes: 'Not having sex is the best way of preventing Aids and STI, but if you choose to be sexually active, using condoms correctly and consistently is a key way to reduce risk.'

SINGAPORE PLANNED PARENTHOOD ASSOCIATION (SPPA)

What is taught: The voluntary non-profit organisation has been conducting talks and workshops for schools, the public and other organisations for over 20 years. There are no religious links to the programme.

On average, 10 schools a year go through the programme and students are between 13 and 16 years old.

The workshops are three hours long while assembly talks are an hour. The content was developed by officers from teacher's feedback and approved by the board of SPPA.

Said SPPA administrator Joanne Tan: 'We have some fixed topics such as basic biology, relationships, being able to tell the difference between love and infatuation, and peer pressure.'

Case studies are used to show the difference between a crush and real love.

For students in Secondary 3 and 4, the talks also cover pre-marital sex.

The consequences of relationships, such as unwanted pregnancy and abortion, are also broached.

The SPPA promotes abstinence but not exclusively. Said Ms Tan: 'Our main message is to put out all the facts and ask them to make a careful choice. Sex should be without guilt or painful consequences.' The talks also briefly touch on contraception.

Is homosexuality discussed?

It is mentioned in the context of growing up. Said Ms Tan: 'We tell them it is normal to feel confused at that age and provide a hotline if students want to ask questions.'

FAMILY LIFE SOCIETY

What is taught: The non-profit organisation directed by the Catholic Archbishop of Singapore has held talks in schools since 1985.

In the past five years, it has been invited to about 25 schools a year. Talks range from 40-minute sessions at assembly to four-hour workshops for children from 11 to 18 years of age.

More often than not, they are invited to secular schools. The syllabus focuses on sexuality and the person as a whole rather than just sex. The programme was set up by a group of doctors and parents.

Said principal programme executive Michelle Soliano-Lew: 'We develop materials based on the natural moral law. This is secular moral philosophy without any reference to God, religion, scripture or divine revelation.'

Topics include boy-girl relationships, pornography, pregnancy and choices, as well as abortion and its possible consequences. The talks promote a pro-life and pro-family message.

Is homosexuality discussed? The society's stance is that the act is wrong.

'But we do not condemn the person,' said Ms Soliano-Lew.

'We tell them that at their age, having an infatuation with a same sex peer is normal, but it does not mean they are homosexual or are going to be homosexual.'

They mention it is illegal but a religious point of view is not used.

The classes also discuss pre-marital sex, focusing on the positive worth of abstinence, such as not having to worry about pregnancy.

FEI YUE COMMUNITY SERVICES

What is taught: Fei Yue Community Services, an independent society, started in 1991 as Fei Yue Family Service Centre. It was founded by the Chinese Christian Mission, a faith-based organisation.

It has been conducting sex education classes since 2007. These are held in 18 schools. But the classes are not just for students. Instead, said Madam Evelyn Khong, manager and family life educator, classes are held for parents or parents with teens.

The curriculum includes discussions about changes and differences in the physical, social, emotional and intellectual attributes of males and females.

The classes for parents and teenagers are four hours long on weekends, with role-play segments.

Love, sex and relationships are explored but religion is not raised.

Said Madam Khong: 'We advocate 'save sex' in that students should save sex for their dream man or woman.

'Sex is not bad. However, sex outside marriage can have consequences like guilt, fear and disease.'

Abortion and its physical, emotional and social consequences are also discussed.

Is homosexuality discussed?

Madam Khong said it is seldom discussed, apart from focusing on the fact that nature has made individuals what they are meant to be.

'If you are made a boy, you're meant to be a boy and vice-versa. We see homosexuality more as a lifestyle choice, so we do not discuss that.

'Ultimately, they have to decide what lifestyle they choose and the price they have to pay,' she said.

The classes also focus on communication so that parents will be equipped with the tools to beef up their children's self-esteem and ability to say 'no' to unwanted encounters.

FOCUS ON THE FAMILY SINGAPORE

What is taught: Local charity Focus on the Family Singapore was launched in 2002 to strengthen Singapore families.

It is based on Focus on the Family from the United States, a pro-life, Christian organisation.

A four-hour interactive workshop called No Apologies caters to youths aged 12 to 18. Introductory assembly talks are also conducted for secondary schools.

Since 2002, 44 schools have taken part. The schools that take part are mainly non-religious schools.

Said a spokesman for Focus on the Family: 'No Apologies seeks to empower and challenge young people to choose abstinence from sex until marriage so as to live life with no regrets.'

It does not call pre-marital sex wrong.

In keeping with the positive message of abstinence, graphic or detailed material regarding pre-martial sex that is considered disturbing or demeaning to participants is not used.

The advantages as well as disadvantages of premarital sex, such as abortion, are discussed.

Religion is not discussed as the programme is tailored for all students.

Is homosexuality discussed?

Homosexuality is not part of the standard curriculum but can be addressed upon request as a separate additional workshop.

MOE Investigates Complaints Over AWARE Sex Programme

Today ran this story on 1 May 2009:

MOE Investigates complaints over AWARE sex programme

The Ministry of Education (MOE) said yesterday that some parents have expressed concern over the content found in an “AWARE Comprehensive Sexual Education: Basic Instructor Guide” that has been posted online. The MOE said it was investigating this matter. Apart from MOE’s own sexuality education programme, the ministry said that “schools can also collaborate with other agencies”. In doing so, schools must ensure that any programmes run by external agencies are guided by the same principles set out in MOE’s framework for sexuality education, said the ministry.

Why do schools engage external agencies?

As the needs of students vary across schools, schools are given the autonomy to decide on topics that would best meet their students’ needs to augment sexuality education in schools; and also on which external agency to engage. For this purpose, guidelines on the engagement of external organisations to conduct sexuality education have been given to schools.

What are the guidelines for schools to engage external vendors?

Sexuality programmes conducted by external agencies should adhere to the guiding principles as set out in the framework for sexuality education. They have to be premised on the importance of the family and respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities on sexuality issues. Parents may also opt their children out of any sexuality education programme.

What should schools look out for when engaging external vendors?

Specifically, in the selection of external vendors, schools are advised to screen external agencies to ensure that they are of good repute. In addition, the schools should consider (a) background of the vendor, (b) details of the programme, (c) key messages conveyed, (d) mode of delivery that would best engage students, (e) feedback and evaluation process for future improvements.

What are the common topics covered by the external agencies?

In secondary schools, the common topics include boy-girl relationship, STI/HIV prevention, consequences of pre-marital sex, Internet safety and pornography. Post-secondary schools cover topics on STI/HIV prevention, consequences of pre-marital sex, dating, love and relationships.

Does MOE audit programmes byexternal agencies?

Currently, schools audit the programmes and provide MOE with the feedback. As specified in the guidelines in engaging external agencies, teachers should be present with the students to ensure that the key messages conveyed are consistent with those agreed upon by the school and the external agency.

It is good practice for teachers to follow-up with their students after the workshop to clarify any outstanding issues or concerns that were either not addressed during the workshop or were surfaced during the workshop itself. Schools are also advised that they can check with Guidance Branch if they need further information and advice on the programmes conducted by specific vendors.

AWARE Workshops Funded by Donation

Today ran this story on 1 May 2009:

Workshops Were Funded by Donation
By Esther Ng

THE sex education workshops conducted by Aware at 11 secondary schools last year was fully subsidised, thanks to a donation from the Chen Su Lan Trust.

Each workshop cost between $500 and $600 but was free for the schools, which have not yet been named publicly.

Yesterday, former Aware president Constance Singam revealed to Today that $35,000 out of the $113,000 donated by the Chen Su Lan Trust last year was spent on the free Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) workshops at schools.

Asked if he was aware of the content of the CSE programme, Reverend Yap Kim Hao, the chairman of the Chen Su Lan Trust, said that he had been given a “rough outline” of the programme, but he had not seen the teaching materials. When Today showed him two pages of the CSE trainers’ manual, which stated that “anal sex can be healthy” and that “homosexuality is perfectly normal”, Rev Yap said that he “had no problems” with the content.

“I recognise there are dissenting views, but these have to be presented and it’s up to the student to make a decision so (the trainer) is not promoting one particular view,” said Rev Yap.

The 80-year-old is a retired Bishop of the Methodist Church here and currently pastoral adviser to the Free Community Church. According to the church’s website, it accepts same-sex relationships and welcomes lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered persons.

Sexuality Programme: Guided or Misguided?

Today ran this story on 1 May 2009:

Guided or misguided?
Alicia Wong and Lin Yanqin

THE debate over the sexuality education programme by the Association of Women for Action and Research boils down to a 15-minute segment of its three-hour workshop, Today has learnt after obtaining on Wednesday pages of the group’s Comprehensive Sexual Education: Basic Instructor Guide.

The section in question defines terms such as “anal sex”, “virginity”, “teenage pregnancy”and “homosexual”. As part of the workshop exercise, students are asked to associate these terms according to three categories: Positive, neutral and negative.

Today had approached Aware’s old guard to verify the material, after receiving it from a source outside the group, and compared it with hard copies of the actual guide, which has separately been put on the Internet.

The rest of the guide deals with topics such as body image, HIV/Aids, contraception and relationships. But it is the description of terms such as homosexuality and anal sex (see graphic), that appears to be at the heart of the contention raised by self-declared “feminist mentor” and senior lawyer Thio Su Mien.

She took issue with homosexuality being seen as a neutral, not negative, word.

What the Old Guard say

Founding Aware member and its first president, Lena Cheng, met with Today and said that the group had consulted religious groups, academics, social workers and teachers when they adapted the guide from the 25-year-old International Women’s Health Coalition, which promotes and protects girls’ and women’s sexual and reproductive rights and health. “We’re not some feminists who just thought this up,” she said.

Aware’s former programme manager Deeksha Vasundhra said the definitions are for instructors to facilitate discussions.

The “private and confidential” guide is never given to students, she said.

Students can also place the terms in question in more than one category and they are not pushed to accept certain views.

“I tell trainers, it’s not up to you to teach values. Decisions are made based on family, culture and religion,” she said, and added that children are always advised to speak to their parents or teachers.

Since the material caters to a wide age group, the onus remains on instructors to focus on the relevant topics, said Ms Vasundhra.

Aware’s 10 trainers are selected for their maturity, open-mindedness and ability to manage young people. They go through a stringent selection process, training sessions and examinations.

One trainer told Today, discussions are “very student driven”.

“We basically ask students, ‘what’s your views?’ We don’t say anything, and let them hear all the different ideas ... I only make sure everybody respects each other. We don’t believe in imposing any viewpoints,” she said.

During class, trainers use the word “partner” instead of “husband”, for instance, so that lesbian students do not “tune out,” said Ms Vasundhra. Ditto for homosexuality, which is not defined as abnormal so students do not feel excluded.

Ultimately, the aim, said Ms Vasundhra, is to “help kids see that everybody is different and help them to accept that”.

What parents say

Today contacted five schools about the programme. Four neither confirmed nor denied if they had the programme, and one said yes but did not reply to queries.

Today also showed 13 parents with teenage students the copy of the training material.

While the majority saw the importance of educating their children on sexuality and making the right choices, many also questioned the handling of controversial topics and the explicitness of the material.

“It’s okay to let them know (about sex) but not to this extent. I don’t want my son to learn such explicit things,” said Ms Nor, a mother of three.

Father of six, Rizan Jantan, 45, felt children could approach parents and “we can explain to them (right from wrong).”

A mother of two boys said it was “all natural”, while businessman Chung Toh Keong, 56, felt such issues should be taught, since we “don’t dare talk about such taboo topics”.

MOE Issues Press Release Regarding AWARE's Sexuality Programme in Schools

The Ministry of Education (MOE) released a press release on 28 April 2009:

Reply to Recent Comments and Claims About AWARE’s Sexuality Education Programme in Schools

1. We refer to recent claims and comments about AWARE’s sexuality education programme in schools.

2. Sexuality education conducted in MOE schools is premised on the importance of the family and respect for the values and beliefs of the different ethnic and religious communities on sexuality issues. The aim is to help students make responsible values-based choices on matters involving sexuality.

3. Core programmes are delivered by teachers but schools do collaborate with other agencies in delivering additional modules. However, in doing so, schools must ensure that any programmes run by external agencies are secular and sensitive to the multi-religious make-up of our society. Parents can choose to opt their children out of these programmes.

4. Last year, 11 secondary schools engaged AWARE to run workshops for their students. The number of students involved in each school ranged from about 20 to 100, and each workshop lasted 3 hours. The objectives of these workshops were to provide students with accurate information on Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)/HIV, to help students understand the consequences of premarital sexual activity, and to equip students with skills such as decision-making and resisting negative peer pressure.

5. AWARE also conducted assembly talks, typically of 45-minute duration, for students in a few secondary schools. Some of the areas covered in the talks included body image, self-esteem, eating disorders, teenage pregnancies, sexual harassment and the role of women in today’s context.

6. The schools that engaged AWARE found that the content and messages of the sessions conducted were appropriate for their students and adhered to guidelines to respect the values of different religious groups. The schools did not receive any negative feedback from students who attended the workshops and talks or their parents.

7. In particular, MOE has also not received any complaint from parents or Dr Thio Su Mien, who was reported to have made specific claims about sexuality education in our schools. MOE has contacted Dr Thio Su Mien to seek clarifications and facts to substantiate her claims.

8. If parents and members of the public know of specific instances where guidelines have not been adhered to, they should report them directly to MOE to investigate. MOE recognises that sexuality education is sensitive. In conducting these programmes, the views of parents will be respected and values taught should not deviate from the social norms accepted by mainstream society in Singapore.

MOE Seeks Clarification on Claims on AWARE's Programmes

ChannelNewsAsia ran this story on 28 April 2009:

MOE seeks clarification on claims on AWARE's programmes
By Zhang Tingjun

SINGAPORE: The Education Ministry (MOE) has contacted Dr Thio Su Mien, who is the "feminist mentor" to the new exco in the Association of Women for Action & Research (AWARE), to clarify the claims she was reported to have made on the organisation's sexuality programmes.

In a statement, MOE said it had not received any complaints from parents or from Dr Thio about the programmes.

The AWARE saga has stretched out over the past weeks and Dr Thio's views have been reported widely. She has been quoted as saying that on AWARE's sexuality programme, homosexuality is now regarded as a neutral word, not a negative word.

Giving details, MOE said 11 secondary schools engaged AWARE to run workshops on sexuality last year. The organisation also conducted assembly talks on topics such as self esteem at a few schools.

Schools that engaged AWARE found its programme content appropriate for their students, adhering to MOE guidelines.

Speaking to reporters at a visit to Yishun Town Secondary School, Senior Minister of State for Education S Iswaran said sexuality education is taught primarily by teachers, but schools have the flexibility to bring in other organisations.

"The guiding principle for this is very simple. It uses the family as the basic building block, as the basic foundation and helps the students make values-based decision on the whole issue of sexuality and in a manner that's sensitive to the multi-racial, multi-religious environment.

"Clearly, there are different perspectives in our society so MOE takes a very deliberate and cautious approach," he said.

The Education Ministry added that if parents know of an instance where these guidelines have not been adhered to, they should go directly to the ministry.

Training, Job, PR Status... All Lies

The Straits Times ran this story on 17 March 2009:

Training, job, PR status...all lies
By Mavis Toh

An advertisement in a Sri Lankan newspaper caught Mr Rohan Rubera's eye. In bold print, it read: 'STUDY & JOB TRAINING'.

It listed six diploma courses run by private schools in Singapore.

Mr Rohan, 45, called the telephone number listed.

A recruitment agent told him if he signed up for a six-month casino management course in Singapore, priced at $8,000, it would come guaranteed with a six-month training stint with pay in a casino on board a cruise liner.

He paid the agent an initial $4,000, half the fees.

But when he arrived here last October, not only was he told there would be no hands-on casino training, he was also made to share a three-bedroom flat with 17 others.

'At that point, I knew I had been fooled. I was furious,' he said.

He is not alone. The Sri Lanka High Commission has seen at least 100 of its nationals, here on student visas, lodging complaints with it in the last six months.

At the Chinese Embassy, at least 20 students have asked for help each month in the past three years.

Last year, it was reported that 13 Vietnamese students each paid $9,600 to their agents for 'work and study' visas, only to find that the law bars them from working in Singapore. The agent put up all 13 students in a small room.

The Consumers Association of Singapore (Case) received 20 complaints against education agents last year, up from five in 2007 and eight in 2006.

Most of the complaints accused agents of misrepresentation and of misleading claims, such as getting the wrong courses and being told they could work and study here.

Some were even told they could get permanent residency status.

New guidelines in the Private Education Bill to be introduced in Parliament later this year will tighten regulation of the industry here.

The new rules require the 1,200 private schools here to meet certain criteria, including examination boards and information on their finances, teachers and facilities before they can be registered.

There are currently about 99,000 foreign students here.

From The Sunday Times' interviews with affected students, private schools and a former local agent, false promises seem to be the work of rogue agents both here and in the foreign countries.

Last December, the Sri Lanka High Commission here even placed ads in major Sri Lankan newspapers alerting would-be students to 'false promises' by dodgy agents about student life here.

'Students might want to study here as a stepping stone to get jobs here,' said a Sri Lanka High Commission spokesman. 'But what they were told back home and what they see here are different.'

Some private schools here added that despite the current economic recession, agents at overseas education fairs still boldly guarantee job placement to students. But one principal, who declined to be named, said the students' visas do not allow them to work here.

An academic head of a private school, who declined to be named, said that at some private schools, attendance is only half-full as agents had arranged illegal work for those here on the pretext of studying.

'The schools know they'll lose money if they cancelled the student passes so they kept them on the class list,' he said.

A Chinese Embassy spokesman said some agents in China told would-be students they would be enrolled in private schools in Singapore with big campuses, fields and even laboratories. But on arrival, these students ended up in small private schools with only a few rented classrooms in old buildings.

Embassies believe that the number of victims they see is just the tip of the iceberg. Many students have yet to come forward or are unaware of where they can turn to for help. Others have flown home without seeking refunds.

The Sri Lanka High Commission spokesman said: 'Many came from rural areas where their families pawned jewellery and valuables to send them here. They do not know how to tell their parents they were fooled or how to repay the loans.'

Private schools contacted claim they are unaware of promises made by the agents they worked with.

But one former local agent, Mr Billy Ng, 32, said he quit his job last year as he was unhappy with the school he was working for.

He claimed the school had told agents to tell students they would get attachments at big hotels, earning up to $800 monthly. Most of the mainly Malaysian students, he said, decided to enrol with the school only because they were told they could work and study here.

'But they ended up washing dishes illegally for $200 monthly,' said Mr Ng. 'I couldn't stomach the complaints from the students and their irate parents, so I quit.'

Established private schools want the Government to weed out rogue agents. They also hope that the upcoming Private Education Bill will clean up the industry.

Said Management Development Institute of Singapore's secretary-general R. Theyvendran: 'There's a lot of deception in student recruitment by smaller players. This will tarnish Singapore's reputation as an education hub.

The Paradox of Choice

In his 2004 book 'The Paradox of Choice', Barry Schwartz tackles one of the great mysteries of modern life: Why is it that societies of great abundance — where individuals are offered more freedom and choice (personal, professional, material) than ever before — are now witnessing a near-epidemic of depression? Conventional wisdom tells us that greater choice is for the greater good, but Schwartz argues the opposite: He makes a compelling case that the abundance of choice in today’s western world is actually making us miserable.

This is a talk by psychologist Barry Schwartz who takes aim at a central tenet of western societies: freedom of choice. In Schwartz's estimation, choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more dissatisfied.

Needy Disabled Students Get Vouchers

This article appeared on Channel NewsAsia on 31 January 2009:

Needy disabled students get vouchers which can be used for therapy
By Valarie Tan

SINGAPORE: Over S$30,000 worth of service vouchers were handed out to 137 disabled students on Saturday to help them tide over the difficult times.

Each student received a S$300 service card.

The Society of Physically Disabled said the additional fund would hopefully ensure that these students have access to important services like therapy, which families may otherwise forgo to cut expenses.

The same group of disabled students and some 20 others with disabled parents also received S$124,000 in bursaries.

All of them are currently enrolled in mainstream schools.

To help their teachers better integrate them in the classroom, the society also published a new handbook with tips on how to include disabled students in school.

Worthless Degrees

MP for Joo Chiat Chan Soo Sen was the guest-of-honour at a dubious university's convocation, which got The Online Citizen website to comment:

It is thus shocking to learn that instead of pushing to outlaw universities such as WCU, former Minister of State for Education Chan Soo Sen was actually the guest of honour at the "fraudulent" degree seller’s convocation.

His excuse? He had not been given any information about WCU's accreditation, and his presence at the convocation was not meant to give the university credibility.

This explanation might possibly hold water if he was a random member of the public, with no knowledge of issues such as accreditation.

However, given that the Straits Times has previously run several exposes on degree mills (as the article points out, the reporter’s dog was registered to receive a doctorate), and Mr Chan was a former Minister of State for Education up until 2006, to claim ignorance is a poor defense.

Further, to claim that he did not intend to lend WCU credibility is missing the point.

Mr Chan might genuinely have neglected to do his due diligence and been ignorant of WCU's background. However, in the eyes of those receiving the "fraudulent or substandard degrees", as well as their family and friends, the presence of a former Minister of State for Education could only be interpreted as a seal of approval.

* * *
This news story was published in The Straits Times on October 22, 2008:

THE ceremony in the Old Parliament House had all the pomp and circumstance associated with any graduation.

The professors and graduands were in full academic regalia. Speeches flowed in English and Mandarin. And afterwards, a gala dinner at a hotel.

At the ceremony, the university's honorary president, a Professor Bernard Cadet, delivered an inspiring speech, urging graduands to transform the world.

'Believe nothing is impossible. West Coast University (WCU) will be proud of you in the future,' he told the 76 graduands from Singapore, Indonesia and China, before handing them their doctorates, master's and bachelor's degrees.

But this was a ceremony for an unaccredited university based in Panama, not Los Angeles, as its school in Singapore had claimed.

The Asia-Australia School of Management (AASM), a Case-certified school in Middle Road, offers West Coast University programmes here with a related company, Huanyu Training Expert.

At least two American states have outlawed degrees from WCU, describing it as a 'degree supplier' that offers 'fraudulent or substandard degrees'.

The Texas State Higher Education Coordinating Board warns on its website that WCU 'is used by multiple unaccredited entities. The extent to which they are related is unknown, but more than one operator is suspected.'

In some parts of the United States, it is a criminal offence to use degrees from unaccredited institutions.

'Dr' John Huang, one of the owners of AASM and Huanyu, insisted that the university is based in Los Angeles and faxed The Straits Times documents showing West Coast University International registered as a business in California.

But he confirmed that it was not the California-based West Coast University reputed for nursing and health science-related degrees. He admitted that WCU was unaccredited, but said his students had been given the facts.

His doctorate is from Ashwood University, the same degree mill that granted this reporter's pet dog a doctorate for US$599 (S$886) just two months ago.

The guest of honour at Monday's ceremony was MP for Joo Chiat Chan Soo Sen, who delivered a speech in Mandarin and English.

Contacted afterwards, he said he had been invited by a grassroots leader and accepted as he wanted to encourage the habit of life-long learning.

Told that WCU was unaccredited, he said he had not been given any information about it. 'If my presence there had given the university credibility, that was not my intention,' he said.

Several graduates interviewed after Monday's ceremony believed the university was based in Los Angeles and that it was a proper institution.

They had paid between $13,000 and $19,000 in fees to take up bachelor's, master's and doctorate courses lasting one year to 15 months.

Those who took up the doctorate programme said they attended classes two days a month, from 9am to 5pm.

Several said they did not know a university can be registered and yet have no academic accreditation, where it is subject to quality checks by an independent body. It also means employers may not recognise the degrees.

An electronics factory quality controller who paid $13,000 in fees for her bachelor's degree said: 'I was hoping to get a better job in logistics with this degree, but now it may not be possible.'

Ms Ho Fee Men, director of a Chinese medical hall, said she had heard rumours that the university was unaccredited, but continued with her PhD programme anyway. To get her doctorate, she paid $19,000 in fees, attended classes twice a month over 15 months and wrote a 50,000-word thesis.

Two businessmen said they knew their doctorates were worthless but took up the programme to learn about business management.

Mr Chang Chia Sheng, 55, managing director of X.L. Handle, which makes industrial fasteners, said he gained from discussions with other businessmen.

At least 218 people here have been found with degrees from dubious universities such as Preston, Wisconsin International and Kennedy-Western.

Business owners make up one of three groups here who have degrees from unaccredited institutions and degree mills. For many of them, an honorary PhD has become a must-have symbol of success.

Another group comprises consultants and private school lecturers who may have a first degree and some expertise in a particular area, but seek a master's degree or doctorate to bolster their credentials.

And lastly, there are those who pay for undergraduate degrees and transcripts - usually non-graduates who want qualifications to gain jobs or promotions.

MOE To Curb Misleading Ads By Private Schools

The Ministry of Education (MOE) has finally come out to say it will have clearer rules in place to curb false and misleading advertisements by private schools.

Channel News Asia reported that the MOE said the rules will cover the proper use of quality labels, symbols and trademarks by private schools in advertisements and promotional material.

The institutions should also refrain from making untruthful claims about the school and its courses.

Education Minister Ng Eng Hen gave this update on Wednesday in a written reply to questions from Members of Parliament on the regulation and supervision of private schools.

This is part of MOE’s efforts to strengthen the current regulatory framework for private education.

MOE announced in March it will set up an independent Council for Private Education to enforce the enhanced regulatory regime.

Dr Ng said the Council will have the necessary powers to direct corrective measures if private school operators publish misleading advertisements.

The Council will also promote a better understanding of private education sector through consumer awareness and public education programmes to help potential students make informed choices when enrolling for private school courses.

News source: Channel News Asia