While the Stratis Times chose the headline "Nearly half of
PSC awards to heartlanders" (ST, July 26, 2008), I prefer to highlight the
still rather big and obvious gap when you compare the proportion of heartlander scholarship holders (47.0%) to the proportion of the general heartlander population (77.8%).
As mentioned in a previous Salary.sg
post, 77.8% of all residential dwelling units are
HDB flats, while 14.3% are condominiums and private flats, and the remaining 6.2% are private houses, according to
Singapore 2007, Statistical Highlights (
link).
47.0% is a far cry from 77.8%. We all can tell.
With that in mind, let's see what Straits Times said:
Quote:
"(Public Service) Commission says its figures show no discrimination based on family background..."
|
While I do not dispute the
claim that
PSC shows no discrimination, we can't simply
imply that from the figures. The numbers do not
prove or
disprove the existence of discrimination.
The gap between 47.0% and 77.8% is too big!
That said, let's see what A*Star's ex-chief Philip Yeo said, paraphrased by ST:
Quote:
"... if two applicants have equally exceptional grades, (Philip Yeo) would award a scholarship to the one from a humbler household..."
|
Compare that with what
PSC said:
Quote:
"If they are equally deserving and both meet the PSC's high standards, PSC will offer an award to both applicants."
|
Assuming
rich kids do better, do you prefer Philip Yeo's style or
PSC's?
http://www.salary.sg/2008/only-47-pe...s-stay-in-hdb/