SINGAPORE – A three-storey tall tree collapsed onto the road along Kaki Bukit Avenue 1 on Monday (March 6) afternoon amidst heavy rain.

But the story did not end there.

A group of about 20 passers-by later joined hands to move the hefty obstacle to the side of the road, according to a report from Shin Min Daily News.

This happened at about 4.30pm, half an hour or so after the tree first fell.

An eyewitness living in a nearby block told Shin Min that by this time, the line of cars stuck behind the tree had extended to 30m long.

The exasperated drivers then decided to take matters into their own hands.

Together with some onlookers, an initial group of about 10 people made two unsuccessful efforts to remove the tree from the road.

A third attempt with 20 people along the full length of the tree finally succeeded in clearing the road.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said no one was injured.

lesterw@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on Mar 7, 2017.
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It was challenging enough for the 67 cyclists to cycle 1,000km from Belum, Perak, to Singapore to raise funds for the Kidney Dialysis Foundation (KDF).

Then, they had to deal with a collapsed bridge 28km to Gua Musang in southern Kelantan, which meant members of the local cycling group, Epic Cyclist, had to make a 50km detour.

For the sake of KDF’s patients, they cycled 10 hours a day and returned safely to Singapore on Monday.

From last Friday to Monday, the cyclists travelled over winding roads and rolling hills in Malaysia hoping to raise $350,000 for KDF patients by June.

The group raised $320,000 during the cycling event.

A few hours into the ride, during a lunch break, KDF Millennium Ride 2017 organiser Clifford Lee, 46, was told by a local shopkeeper that a makeshift concrete bridge on their original route had collapsed from a thunderstorm last month.

Mr Lee said: “I took out my maps and had to plan an alternative route on the spot.”

NEW ROUTE

He deployed two cars and a motorcycle to check out the roads, before informing the cyclists of their new route.

The group’s oldest cyclist, Mr Peter Sng, 64, said: “The extra 50km was a killer for me, especially as my knees were already hurting by then.”

A participant in all four KDF Millennium Rides, Mr Sng said this year’s was his toughest yet.

“I started feeling a sharp pain in my left knee by the second day from the steep incline and continuous uphill terrain.”

He added that this was the first time he had to stop every 30 minutes to use pain-relieving sprays for his knees.

The terrain was also brutal for first-timer, Mr Gary Lee, 45, who had participated in two Ironman 70.3 triathlons before.

“I thought I was well prepared but the extra 50km was unexpected.

“I just had to bike through it despite the pain and weather conditions.”

The group cycled in pouring rain for close to an hour on the first and fourth day.

The public can still donate to KDF until the end of June.

chualel@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 8, 2017.
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Here’s a school that believes parents should let their children learn to be self-reliant.

Signs are put up at entry points of Kuo Chuan Presbyterian Primary School (KCPPS) to discourage parents from dropping off their children’s forgotten items.

“Please turn around and leave…” state the signs.

The school feels that children should take responsibility for their actions: “Let your child grow up. Your child will learn to solve problems and take responsibility for the consequences in your absence.”

Every day from 8am to 9am, there will be at least three to four parents or domestic helpers delivering forgotten items such as water bottles, textbooks and pocket money to the school in Bishan Street 13, said a school security guard.

They are redirected to the general office, where they are turned away.

KCPPS principal Teo Ching Ling told The New Paper: “Taking responsibility for their own learning and belongings is an important life skill we require our pupils to learn as part of our values education and is in alignment with one of our school values, self-discipline.

“As parental involvement is critical in this endeavour, the school had sought parents’ co-operation to refrain from delivering forgotten items and homework for their children as part of the learning process.”

Madam Teo added: “The sign was put up to serve as a visual reminder for parents to partner the school in this effort.”

Parents told TNP yesterday that the school keeps emphasising at parent-teacher meetings and in e-mail circulars that children should take responsibility for their mistakes and learn to be accountable.

But that message apparently has not gotten to some parents, which prompted the school to put up the signs prominently around its premises this week.

Ten parents told TNP yesterday afternoon that they support the school’s action.

Mrs Karen Ang, 45, who has two children in KCPPS, said her daughter in Primary 4 recently left her art folder in the car after being dropped off.

Her husband then took it to the general office, thinking it would be handed to their child. It wasn’t.

Mrs Ang said: “We learn that children can handle responsibility. And if we all want to drop things off, there will be so many parents here disturbing the school.”

Domestic helper Yati Wagimin, 41, said her employer’s son, who is in Primary 2, is forgetful.

“Once, he forgot to bring his wallet to school, but he knew that he could borrow money from the general office for recess. He returned the money the next day,” she said.

Clinical psychologist Carol Balhetchet said: “Primary school is a child’s first step into the education environment, and it is a parent’s natural instinct to be protective.

“After the first year, parents do not need to be overly cautious as children need to fend for themselves, be self-reliant and responsible.”

Another psychologist, Mr Daniel Koh, said if parents are constantly solving problems for their children, it will affect their ability to be alert.

He said: “The child may not have the awareness to look out for issues, prepare or plan ahead. Lack of independent and required skills can cause uncertainty when he has to deal with issues on his own, hence, not instilling character growth.”

On raising independent kids

Clinical psychologist Carol Balhetchet offers five tips on raising independent kids:

• Tough love is to be kind and firm. To be kind is to understand the child’s needs, and make sure he is safe and comfortable in his social environment. But be firm – be assertive that the child needs to be independent. For example, let him carry his school bag himself.
• Be there for your child. Parents do not need to be physically present all the time, but make sure to provide the emotional support the child needs. If he feels unsafe, be sure to address the issue.
• Give your child undivided attention. For instance, spend time talking over dinner.
• Listen to your child. Don’t keep preaching, advising or nagging, as he may rebel when he gets older.
• Help your child be more independent, because one day, he will have to take responsibility for his own actions. So do it while you are around to help and correct him.

tnp@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 8, 2017.
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From next year, young couples applying for Build-To-Order (BTO) flats in selected locations will need to wait for only two to three years to get their keys.

Down from the three- to four-year waiting time, this will be done not by rushing through construction, but by starting construction ahead of the BTO launches, Minister for National Development Lawrence Wong assured the House.

Speaking at the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament yesterday, he said: “I know there are many young couples who hope to move into their own home even more quickly, to embark on this marriage and parenthood journey together.

“So we have looked into their requests seriously.”

The first batch of 1,000 flats will be launched among non-mature estates (less than 20 years old) with special quotas to further prioritise young couples ready to settle down, he said.

For now, such BTO projects with shorter waiting times will be located in non-mature estates.

A Housing Board spokesman told The New Paper: “As there is limited land in mature estates that is readily available to start construction and build new HDB flats earlier, BTO projects in infill sites also typically take longer to build.”

At least 95 per cent of flats that are four-room and larger – they are the most popular among first-time families – will be set aside for first-time buyers, said Mr Wong.

This is up from the current quota of 85 per cent in non-mature estates.

More details will be released at a later date.

Those looking at resale flat options – popular among couples who want to get their new flats quickly – can look forward to a more “efficient manner” of balloting for unsold resale flats.

Currently, Sale of Balance Flats (SBF) exercises are done twice a year, according to specific towns and flat types.

From the second half of the year, the unsold flats from SBF exercises will be offered in a common pool instead.

Priority will also be given to first-timers.

URGENT

“Those with urgent housing needs and who are less particular about location can apply and need not wait for the usual SBF exercise,” said Mr Wong.

The ministry is also looking at how to speed up the transaction process for resale flats.

Now, it takes 16 weeks and two HDB appointments, said Mr Wong.

“Today, doing a resale transaction can be quite an involved process, even with the help of an agent. We will leverage technology and make the process faster and more streamlined,” he said.

fjieying@sph.com.sg

This article was first published on March 8, 2017.
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Parents and school principals welcomed the changes in the Direct School Admission (DSA) scheme, with one saying it would help to “democratise schools beyond the usual names”.

Evergreen Secondary School principal Carol Lim said: “The public will be encouraged to learn the skills and strengths of all schools, not just certain schools that have built certain names in certain areas.”

Mrs Lim said it would be good for everyone to be more curious of schools in the neighbourhood.

“They can appreciate that every school is a growing and good school,” she added.

Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng yesterday announced the expansion of DSA places in secondary schools, the removing of general academic tests and streamlining of DSA applications.

Tanjong Katong Girls’ School principal Mary Seah said the expansion has sent a “strong message” for students to pursue their dreams and non-academic talents “without fear”.

Queensway Secondary School principal Benjamin Lui felt the changes “reflected the move away from merely looking at academic achievement”.

Madam Choo Pheh Fun, 44, was happy to hear the changes as she is planning for her son, 10, to enter secondary school through DSA in sports.

She said: “I am glad more places are reserved for students to qualify through DSA. This may encourage parents to develop their children in other areas instead of solely academics.”

The mother of three said her daughters, aged 13 and 15, entered secondary school through DSA in gymnastics, and her son is trying out different sports to find a niche he can use for DSA.

“It is a good thing because there are more places for DSA students… But parents may also become more competitive and push their children to excel in sports because there are more places,” she said.

Changes to affiliation in schools

Non-affiliated students hoping to enter affiliated schools will soon stand a higher chance.

From the 2019 Secondary 1 Posting Exercise, 20 per cent of places for each course in affiliated schools will be reserved for students with no affiliation, said Education Minister (Schools) Ng Chee Meng. He was responding to Dr Intan Azura Mokhtar (Ang Mo Kio GRC) and Mr Lim Wee Kiak (Sembawang GRC) in Parliament yesterday.

Currently, 27 secondary schools offer pupils from affiliated primary schools priority in Secondary 1 posting, provided they list the school as their first choice. This is to foster a strong school spirit and tradition.

Setting aside a fifth of places annually would “strike a balance between recognising affiliation and ensuring open access for all students”, he said.

Pastor Dev Menon, 38, whose eight-year-old son is in Saint Andrew’s Junior School, hopes to enrol him in Saint Andrew’s Secondary School. He is not worried by the increase in places for non-affiliates because “80 per cent of places for affiliated students is still pretty high”.

tnp@sph.com.sg

Read also: Academic ability tests to be scrapped

This article was first published on March 8, 2017.
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