MP Ang Wei Neng kept a straight face as he informed Parliament of his idea to impose a “time stamp” on degrees. In essence, he mooted a “COE” for degrees. His proposal, which he himself called, “radical”, was not received well on the internet.
https://www.tiktok.com/@wakeupsingapore/video/7070511445410172161?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc&web_id7060692362225518082
Mr Ang is a Member of Parliament for West Coast GRC. Some of his other greatest hits include having “mandatory overseas community service trips to rural villages in neighbouring countries“, and feeling like a foreigner in his own country after a trip to Changi Business Park.
Many were quick to point out that the degrees of PAP MPs, or most adults for that matter, would have lapsed.
https://twitter.com/gweezilla/status/1498975404539125762
Shannon Ang, a researcher from NTU, tweeted about how we should refrain from conflating learning with credentials. Her sentiments were retweeted more than 800 times.
There’s radical, then there’s ridiculous. The problem with our approach is somehow we think lifelong learning = lifelong credentialism. pic.twitter.com/N1XRHCSHbD
— Shannon Ang (@angabridged) March 2, 2022
Associate Professor Ian Chong proposed a radical idea of his own – imposing term limits for MPs and not degrees. Now, that is something we can all get behind.
https://twitter.com/____wyx/status/1498887889232752643
This idea of turning imposing the expiry limit on politicians resonated with many.
Some even suggested that we should have an up-skilling course for Ministers and Members of Parliament.
Another educator, Keat, observed that Ang’s proposal detracts from “the real point of learning”.
as an educator this pains me. i'm not sure why anyone w barely any in-depth experience in the education field would be allowed to make such suggestions. there is no clear regard for the financial considerations of students, and detracts us away from the real point of learning https://t.co/pJ2sLHKeLN
— J J (@prostalkr) March 2, 2022
Mr Brown aptly drew parallels between the certificate of entitlement (COE) scheme for cars, and Mr Ang’s idea.
Siao ah. You think everybody so rich that they can go to do upgrading courses every five years to keep their degree “valid”?
After spending a small fortune and considerable time getting the degree?
Who is paying for the study leave or course fees? You think degree is COE ah? pic.twitter.com/YndMrFer8e
— mrbrown (@mrbrown) March 2, 2022
Wake Up Singapore’s Instagram post on Mr Ang’s idea garnered more than 500 comments, which were mostly from students aghast at the thought of having to go through university again.
Many students also left comments on MP Ang’s Instagram page to ask their “bestie” not to make them “redo uni”.
Inspired by recent events pic.twitter.com/896XNqqRj0
— JY (@kosherjellyfish) March 2, 2022
We end with Titus Low, an OnlyFans Creator facing criminal charges, who chimed in with some advice of his own.
Since you have made it to the end of the article, follow Wake Up Singapore on Telegram!
