Mr Teo (left) is also worried that if fewer and fewer young scholars desire ground postings, more of them may become divorced from ground issues and will start to lose their empathy for ordinary Singaporeans. -- ST PHOTO: JOSEPH NAIR
MOST of the current generation of young scholars are responsible and dedicated, but a few have a poor attitude and misplaced expectations. Some are very choosy about their postings and tend to place their personal interest above organisational interest, said chairman of the Public Service Commission Eddie Teo.
'Many Management Associates or MAs want to go to Ministry of Trade and Industry or Ministry of Finance for their first postings and get upset if they are posted elsewhere. One was so upset that he resigned, breaking his bond,' said Mr Teo, in an address to some 350 scholarship holders from 27 public agencies at the annual Singapore Seminar in London on Oct 31.
'When some young MAs were asked to go to NTUC to observe retrenchment exercises and learn about what impact the current economic recession is having on ordinary Singaporeans, one MA asked 'What is a retrenchment exercise?''
Mr Teo raised this to highlight why the Public Service is concerned about this group of young scholars who are seeking to advance only their self-interest, as 'it indicates that they may be unable to work in a team.' He is also worried that if fewer and fewer young scholars desire ground postings, more of them may become divorced from ground issues and will start to lose their empathy for ordinary Singaporeans.
But Mr Teo hastened to add: 'The problem is not yet so widespread that it cannot be rolled back. There is still time for the Public Service to correct the trend.'
In his speech, titled 'Defending Scholarships but not all Scholars', Mr Teo dwelt on bond breaking and attrition of scholars, two emerging trends in Singapore's scholarship system, as well as addressed the question on whether the Government is giving out too many scholarships and not enough bursaries for students from poorer backgrounds.
Scholars with poor attitude
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