Burning of PSLE books by: Sherman Teo

Summary:

People took photos of the event and posted it online, causing huge uproar. They reported that textbooks were being burnt. However, it was found out that only assessment books were burnt.  Parents were burning the books as they believe that it will relieve stress.many other parents who took part in the burning of books thought of it as a bonding event. They believe that by doing so, they will be relieving the stress the child too has endured. Many people on the other hand does not like this method of disposing off their books because they consider it as wasting

Opinion:

I believe that parents should not carry out such an awful act. Even though the child has completed his PSLE, there is no need to burn books. If the books is causing them to feel as stress, they could just sell of the books. Another greener method would be to recycle them. I believe that even though the books are already used, they can donate it to charity for the less fortunate. Such children will appreciate the books better and be able to have books to read or do.

Is it ok to burn PSLE assessment books? JunTian

Summary: Bystanders who did not know the details about the event took photos of the event and posted it online, causing huge resposnses from netizens. They claimed that textbooks were being burnt, and it is a great waste as they can reused. However, it was found out that only assessment books that already used that are burnt. They even suggested that such acts are similar to those of tyrants and dictators of the past who burnt books. They feel that there is a greater meaning behind burning the books. However, the parents were merely burning the books to relieve stress and celebrating that the PSLE is over. Some parents that took part in the event even took it as a family bonding event. They have also expressed that they have no intentions to stop learning or any negative intentions.

Opinion: I feel that those people who object the burning of the PSLE assessment books are just making a big fuss out of this small matter. They are too quick to judge without even finding out what truly happened. The parents feel really relived that the PSLE is finally over, and they hope to celebrate and at the same time release the stress they have experienced over the past year. Although their method of celebrating is rather different, I feel that it is very much acceptable.

Source: http://www.straitstimes.com/breaking-news/singapore/story/it-ok-burn-psle-assessment-books-20131010

Article on art

Summary: arts are still being continued to be teach in school proves that art is still in the society. schools set aside time for arts and have fully prepare with  equipment for the teaching of arts.Exposure to the arts has grown by leaps and bounds in primary and secondary schools.Another indicator of growth is the take-up rate for the NAC’s heavily subsidised arts education programmes, meant to widen students’ exposure to home-grown artists and arts groups. government gave schools money or help subsidies for the school to continue teaching students arts.

Opinion: in my opinion, I think it is good that government had made an efforts for art to continue be teach to the students about arts. as arts may die out in the future, teaching art at an early age will subsequently make art part of life and forever art will not die out.

Chinese Aritst Ai Weiwei's Toronto Show Mixes Art, Politics By: Sherman Teo

Summary:
Ai Weiwei's list of accolades includes the Vaclav Havel prize for creative dissent, Man of the Year nods from Time magazine and GQ, and ArtReview magazine has twice included him on its list of the top 100 most powerful artists. The dissident Chinese artist is subject to a kind of house arrest in China, but that has not prevented his work from travelling abroad.Ai's politically charged multimedia artworks have raised the ire of China’s government, resulting in him being stripped of his passport. According to What? is one of the most significant exhibitions of contemporary art the AGO has hosted in years and the lengths to which the gallery went to install it are a testament to the artist’s stature. The AGO exhibit also includes a massive white wall lined with the names and birth dates of the 5,212 children killed in the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan province and a sculpture composed of over 38 tonnes of rebar collected from the disaster site. Teahouse, an installation that incorporates three miniature houses made of densely packed dried tea weighing more than one tonne each, required a structural engineer to install.

Opinion:
In my opinion, the world now has more and more talents and a large amount of people fit into the arts category. People who do all these art works and held exhibitions have all dedicated their life to the arts and will continue on. It is their passion for it and drive to allow them to continue putting up great pieces of work. Artists such as Ai Weiwei should be widely recognised rather than be underhouse arrest which restricts the person's actions and mental thoughts.

More funding for youth performing arts in Singapore's North East District. By JunTian

Summary: The North East Community Development Council will help cover the expenses of those who desire to sing, dance, or act, among other things. The Youth Arts Interest Group Fund will help sustain the dreams of those who want to make a difference to society with their talents. The new funding also aims to keep youths off the streets, and in good company as they can be monitored, and ensured that they only do the right things. The funding can be used for competition entry fees, facilities booking costs, or money needed for costumes and props. Acting Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean welcomed the idea and he feels that this can help youths express themselves and allows them to contribute in other ways like helping in the environment or social services.

Opinion: I feel that the new funding is very beneficial especially to youths with artistic talents like

dancing, singing and painting. Youths can use the fund to book facilities or purchase necessary items. This allows them to improve their talents, and groom more talents for Singapore. Youths can also make new friends through these activities, and they can be positive influences.

Source: http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/more-funding-for-youth/711226.html

Sydney sizes up its future by ZhiGang

Sydney sizes up its future o_O 

Summary: The art gallery of New South Wales in Sydney recently is planning to put $9.9M to reconstruction of a new building and double the size of the current art gallery. The money will also be used for feasibility and engineering studies and also to launch an international architectural competition. The expansion project aims to form new partnerships with museums in Australia and abroad to more global audiences.

Opinion: In my opinion, I feel that to attract tourists to a country, steps certainly needs to be taken which involves renovating the attractions or creating a new place of attraction. Casino is an example of an attraction which attracts a lot of gamblers, thus earning profit from these people. Art has become one of the top tourist attraction as people around the world flock to the place due to their interests in art.

Elderly Article By: Sherman Teo

Summary:
Older people have limited regenerative abilities and are more prone to disease, syndromes, and sickness. At some point in the not too distant future, Baby Boomers will have a large impact on the health care industry in general. As the population ages seniors, or the elderly, are much more likely to suffer mobility health and disability problems thus placing a strain on government finances and health care facilities.

Opinion:
In my opinion, I believe that the population of the older people are getting larger and larger. However, the younger population is getting smaller and smaller at the same time. This will then cause a bigger burden for the children and therefore not want to take care of their parents. Their parents too suffer from illnesses very easily therefore they will need more healthcare.