●What does this AoF mean for you?

●How would you interpret and unpack the terms / words in the AoF? 

●What are some real-world examples and scenarios related to this AoF?

●What are the current challenges or problems associated with this Area of Focus?

●How might these challenges impact individuals or communities?

●How might addressing these issues contribute to the future of Singapore?

●What do you think caused these issues and challenges?

●Identify possible target groups related to the issues.

●How does it compare to the past?

●What patterns can be observed in relation to the existing situation?

●What are the drivers of change causing these trends?

(next slide)

Horizon scanning/Scouting

●What are some opportunities we can consider tapping on?

●What strengths can be leveraged and what gaps can be plugged?

●Who are the various stakeholders in this situation and related to the target group?

●What are the beliefs, values and patterns of behaviours of this target group?

●What are the beliefs, values and patterns of behaviours of the stakeholders?

Do aim to identify at least one Target Group, and 2 other possible target groups (from the 2 other back-up issues)

examples

• meritocracy but focus a lot on grades

• quantified

• economic growth

• having great reputation, higher position in global hierarchy

• dsa - using non-academic aspects to get into schools

• aptitude tests

• sg athletes doing well in competitions

• 
  

• Mental health is paramount in today's society - the very fabric of our society

• Sports Scholarships - more prevalent now, helping those with stong passion rooted in sports to excel and explore new career pathways in sports

• RSAF Scholarship - more well-known now given that serving the army and contributing back to society is considered successful as well

• Defining success based on the amount of contributions back to the society / compassionate mertiocracy

• Inclusivity - going against sterotypes that people with disabilities can succeed in life (Purple Parade)

Success doesn’t have to measured by academic qualifications. Success could be measured by the individual’s satisfaction/happiness. Broadening success doesn’t have to limit the individuals potential, and they can expand their potential.

Variations in job opportunities should be explored. (Eg. Pursuing acting? Singapore creating job experiences/opportunities?)

A person’s potential should not be limited by society’s expectations.

Do you really want stability if you are not satisfied or fulfilled ?

How would we define success?

• mindset

• level of fulfilment ( both material and intangible)

  -- still depends on the individual or the ways society perceives the individual

  -- Acads, finance, promotions, etc are all metrics for success in current society

  -- conversely, fulfilment could stem both from the self and from the people around you. Fulfilment could stem from a person meeting certain expectations they have set in place for themself, but because of the paramount influence of the opinions of others on a person's habitus (mindset, simply put), fulfilment may also stem from the perception of others on a person.

• After all, it is because of these societal expectations that there is even a set perception and social norm for "success"

why is focusing on economic definition of success wrong?

Malaysia/Singapore example due to issues in the government

Raise awareness to the government to pump resources in the variations of job opportunities(e.g. sports and arts)

Cooperation with label, film studios, brands to make this work. Not necessary to create artificial job opportunities.

Not enough opportunities to explore the sports sector, it’s hard to combat against established companies/teams. It’s not a bad idea to start this process.

Show proof in the sense that a degree is not necessary. 2017 general elections LSL mentioned that more ITE and poly grads should be allowed into the parliament.

We could focus more on the younger generations to nurture the fact that success can be measured by satisfaction.

We are open minded now due to the influence of the western mindset in social media.

The effort made into holistic development feels half hearted.

There can be certain arts and sports considered prestigious, to even the playing field between sports and arts as well as law and medicine.

• the wider community's perception of "success"

• traditional/ conventional definitions of "success"-- a definition set up and determined by a society in a time completely different from ours.

• Overcoming internalised social norms is really difficult, especially due to the power dynamic in the social relation between the new and the older generation)

• Familial expectations and internalisation (as a child grows up, this definition is internalised from one generation to another. It's a vicious cycle.)

Impact?

• personal pressure

• guilt/ the manifestation of a negative perception of self due to them failing to meet the expectation of "success"

how would this contribute

• encourage open-mindedness, which opens up accessibility to more varied opportunities-- giving a voice to aspects of society that have been deemed "less successful" than others-- e.g. the arts

• improve stress levels in Singapore

• there is a relationship between the context/ environment and the definition of "success"

• Singapore's current norms for "success" were defined in an era (when SG first gained independence) where Singapore needed to achieve such idealistic goals to make a name for itself on the global landscape.

• in changing times, where mindsets, beliefs, and what was once considered unorthodox are now becoming increasingly accepted, redefining "success" is important, because we cannot "move forward" unless we are willing to let go of the norms of the past.

• The definition of "success" could also be influenced by traditional beliefs from varying cultures, because Singapore is such a melting pot. In that sense, we need to identify and ascertain, as a nation, that success is fluid and never about a sole metric.

Stakeholders: Parents and teachers

Driving force: Traditional viewpoints that leads to the conventional definition of success

Existing and possible solutions:

1. Encourage the teachers and parents to give young children lots of assurance even is they don’t do well academically

stakeholders: Parents of the younger generation, teachers, educators of the younger generation, the current generation(us)

Beliefs of target group: Similar to Disney movies, unrealistic expectation of success.

Beliefs of the stakeholders: Getting a degree and earning a lot of money is the definition of success.

1. Holistic awards and non-academic awards such as EAGLES and ECCA awards

   
   

• young working adults + graduates (early 20s)

  -- (possible others (parents/ working adults))

• reasoning: they are narrating the change

  -- for students, we look up to them, esp alumni

  -- parents see these success stories of people so close to our age.

• What would success look like for them?

stakeholders:

• the nation as a whole, because changing the mindset of a society involves everyone residing within that society (Further categorise; what are the subgroups?)

1. Moving towards a broader definition of success as seen by the ABA and DSA

2. Higher admission for polytechnics compared to JC

Indicating mindset change about success which is not just based on perceptions but passions

Drivers of change:

1. Segregation between the more academically-inclined students and the less academically-inclined students

Stakeholders: Parents and teachers

Driving force: Traditional viewpoints that leads to the conventional definition of success

Existing and possible solutions:

1. Encourage the teachers and parents to give young children lots of assurance even is they don’t do well academically ; success is not just defined by academic success, or $; self-worth not based on careers/ academic ability

• Edusave

• GEP

strengths to keep :

• the idea of DSA