1. Kent Ridge Secondary School
Secondary 3 Social Studies
Revision notes
Chapter 2: Governance
4 Principles_______________________________________________________________________
- Leadership is Key
- Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant
- Reward for Work and Work for Reward
- A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All
Leadership is Key
- We need honest and capable leaders.
- Good leaders will do what is right and not just what is popular with the people. Good leaders can
make the right decisions for the country and inspire citizens to support them even if the decisions
are unpopular.
- [EXAMPLE] Mr Liu Thai Ker was a good leader of the arts scene in Singapore. As a result of his
efforts, Singapore has a more vibrant arts scene.
- [LINK] Leadership is important if Singapore wants to progress. Good leaders help Singapore to
maintain peace and stability, which is a function of the government. With peace and stability,
Singapore can work towards maintaining a competitive edge over other countries.
Anticipate Change and Stay Relevant
- The Government has to be forward-looking in order to prepare for future challenges and stay
relevant in the world.
- Singaporeans are encouraged to anticipate change and stay relevant by upgrading their
knowledge and skills so as to contribute effectively to the nation’s economy.
- [EXAMPLE] The government anticpates changes to the water agreements with Malaysia and
hence, came up with NEWater as an alternative water supply. This allows Singapore to be self-
sufficient and not depend on others.
- [LINK] By anticipating change and staying relevant, the government is meeting the needs of the
people and ensuring that Singapore remains competitive in the world.
Reward for Work and Work for Reward
- ‘Reward for Work and Work for Reward’ is when people are rewarded based on their abilities and
hard work. This encourages them to do well because everyone has an equal chance to succeed.
- This is not only fair, but it also encourages them to work hard in Singapore and help Singapore
succeed.
- [EXAMPLE] Hardworking students who are good in their studies are rewarded with Edusave
Scholarships and Merit Bursaries.
- [LINK] This principle encourages unity, which builds up the nation. It also helps Singapore develop
as people are willing to work hard and contribute to Singapore’s progress.
A Stake for Everyone, Opportunities for All
- This means that Singaporeans have a chance to participate in the decision-making process of the
country.
- The government creates as many opportunities as possible to allow Singaporeans to voice their
opinions and provide feedback.
- [EXAMPLE] The government listened to the people’s opinions about the building of casinos as
part of the Integrated Resorts.
- [LINK] When people have a say in decision-making, there is a stronger bond built between the
people and the country. This allows allows Singaporeans to develop a sense of belonging towards
Singapore and fulfils the government’s function of building a nation.
2. Transportation____________________________________________________________________
- Area Licensing Scheme
- Electronic Road Pricing
- Park-and-Ride Scheme
- Vehicle Quota System
Area Licensing Scheme
- Motorists have to pay for the use of certain roads in Singapore.
- Gantries were set up at the boundaries of city areas to monitor motorists driving into restricted
zones.
- [LINK] Many drivers were discouraged from driving into the city area because of the higher costs.
As a result, there were fewer vehicles entering the CBD. Hence, traffic flower was smoother as
less vehicles entered the CBD.
Electronic Road Pricing
- Electronic Road Pricing was introduced when technology was more efficient.
- It has the same function as the Area Licensing Scheme.
- Motorists had to pay a fee during peak hours to use certain roads through the use of the Cashcard
system and gantries.
- [LINK] ERP was effective in managing traffic flow as it reduces the number of cars entering the
restricted areas. Motorists have to think twice on whether it is necessary to enter restricted areas
as they would have to incur extra cost for traveling into restricted areas.
Park-and-Ride Scheme
- The Park and Ride scheme was intended to help control traffic flow into the CBD.
- Motorists would park at specific car parks outside the city and then use public transport to enter
the CBD.
- [LINK] With motorists using public transport, it means that This would mean fewer vehicles
entering the city area.
Vehicle Quota Scheme
- Under VQS, the Land Transport Authority (LTA) issues out Certificates of Entitlement (COEs) for
registration of new vehicles.
- Potential owners must first bid for the COE before they can purchase the car. LTA sets the quota
for the month and the quota premium based on the bids received for the COE. Successful bidders
will thus pay the quota premium to obtain the COE.
- [LINK] Car buyers unwilling to pay for the higher premiums will choose not to buy cars. This
reduces the car population in Singapore. As a result, the number of cars on the roads will be
reduced and managing the traffic flow in Singapore.
3. Reasons why the government wants to promote population growth from the 1980s__________
- Declining Birth Rate from the 1980s
- Unattractive to Multinational Companies
- Ageing Population
- Defence
Declining Birth Rate from the 1980s
- By 1980, the fertility rate hit 1.82 children per woman due to the success of the government’s
previous family planning measures.
- Women also became more educated and more focused on their careers. Many couples also
chose to focus on their careers, marry later and have lesser children. As a result, less children
were born and Singapore’s birth rate declined.
- However, in this period, more jobs were created in the industries and a larger workforce was
needed to sustain Singapore’s development.
- [LINK] This creates a problem as the needs of the economy are not met. Promoting population
growth would be the solution to this problem of declining birth rate. Hence, it is important to
promote population growth.
Unattractive to Multinational Companies
- With a small population, Singapore would not have enough talented people.
- Singapore becomes unattractive to foreign investors and Multinational Corporations (MNCs
because it would be more difficult and expensive to recruit local Singaporeans as compared to
larger and cheaper labour markets in other countries, such as China.
- Singapore’s small population means that Singapore has a small consumer market, which makes it
less attractive to MNCs.
- With lesser investments by MNCs, Singapore’s economy would be negatively affected.
- [LINK] To solve this problem, it is important for the government to promote population growth.
With a bigger population, there will be more talented people and a larger consumer market. MNCs
would be attracted to Singapore and invest here. Singapore’s economy can improve.
Ageing Population
- With fewer babies being born, there would be fewer young people in the population. The number
of older people would be proportionately larger, which means that Singapore would face an
ageing population in the future.
- This creates problems for the younger generation as they would need to care for the elderly.
- More resources would be needed to take care of the increasing number of senior citizens, and this
means that the country’s limited resources have to be used on the elderly. This reduces the
resources that be used for Singapore’s development.
- [LINK] To prevent this from happening, it is important for the government to promote population
growth from the 1980s onwards. With a larger younger population, it would be less taxing to care
for the elderly.
Defence
- With a declining birth rate, there would be fewer young men to recruit for National Service.
- This would weaken Singapore’s defence force. Singapore would be weak against other countries
and external threats.
- This can threaten the stability of Singapore, which is a problem.
- [LINK] Promoting population growth is one way to ensure that there is enough men for NS to
defend Singapore. With a bigger population, there would be more men who can defend Singapore
when they grow up.
4. Strategies/Methods to promote population growth______________________________________
- The Graduate Mothers Scheme
- Three or More If You Can Afford It
- Other Pro-Family Measures
- Attracting Foreign Talent
The Graduate Mothers Scheme
- The Graduate Mothers Scheme encourages university graduates to marry each other and have
children.
- It was believed that the children of these university graduates would be smarter and would
perform better in school.
- However, the scheme was unpopular as less educated people felt that they were discriminated
against and left out from the policy. The scheme stopped after one year.
Three or More If You Can Afford It
- The government encourages couples to have three children or more if they can afford it.
- The government knows that couples are concerned about the costs of raising a child and came up
with strategies to encourage couples to have three or more children if they can afford it.
- [EXAMPLE] To help relieve the financial burden of having children, the government introduced
measures such as allowing the use of Medisave to pay for the delivery charges of the first three
children.
- [LINK] With Medisave, it would be more affordable to raise children. Couples would be
encouraged to have more children and this in turn, will help to increase population size.
Other Pro-Family Measures
- The government knows that couples are worried about the high cost of raising children and the
lack of suitable childcare arrangements, so they introduced pro-family measures.
- [EXAMPLESSS] The government introduced equalised medical benefits where mothers could
also claim medical benefits for their children. A 5-day work week for the Civil Service was also
implemented to allow for better work-life balance. An income tax relief of $3,000 (Grandparent
Caregiver Relief) was given if a grandparent is helping the couple take care of their child.
Maternity leave was also extended from eight weeks to twelve weeks.
- [LINK] These pro-family measures are intended to encourage couples to have more children. This
will help to also increase the population size of Singapore.
Attracting Foreign Talent
- The government wanted to attract foreign talent to stay in Singapore. This is because while
waiting for the other policies to take effect, the government still has to ensure Singapore’s
economic competitiveness.
- Foreign talent would not only boost the quality of manpower in Singapore, but it would also create
more jobs and increase productivity.
- The government introduced incentives to encourage the immigration of foreign talent.
- [EXAMPLE] The immigration policy was relaxed to attract foreign talent with skills that Singapore
needed. Easier entry into Singapore, subsidised housing and an attractive education package for
children were offered to foreign talent willing to work in Singapore.
- [LINK] The government also hoped that these foreigners would develop an attachment to
Singapore and take up permanent residence or citizenship. This would mean that there will be an
increase in the population size of Singapore.
5. Methods/Strategies to cope with an ageing population__________________________________
- Senior Citizens as Assets to Society
- ‘Many Helping Hands’ Approach
o Individual Responsibility
o Family Support
o Community Help
o Government Support
Senior Citizens as Assets to Society
- In the past, senior citizens were seen as being useless and burdensome.
- This strategy allows a change in perception.
- The government wants to ensure that senior citizens remain contributing members to society.
- The government recognizes the skills, experience, knowldege and talents of senior citizens and
wants to provide them with opportunities to add value to public and private organizations.
‘Many Helping Hands’ Approach – Individual Responsibility
- Individuals are encouraged to maintain a healthy lifestyle by maintaining a balanced diet and
exercising regularly. He should also go for regular medical checkups to ensure that illnesses, if
any, can be diagnosed early for treatment.
- Singaporeans are also encouraged to plan early and be financially prepared for life in their old
age.
- [EXAMPLE] They can do so by attending talks and reading relevant materials on financial
planning.
- [LINK] Singaporeans can learn about financial planning, and this helps them to be self-sufficient
and independent when they grow old. This is one strategy to cope with an ageing population.
‘Many Helping Hands’ Approach – Family Support
• Family support is important because strong and stable families ensures social stability and
harmony. The family is also the main source of emotional, social and financial support for the
elderly individual.
• The government introduced activities and measures to help the elderly bond with the family and
community.
• [EXAMPLESS] ‘Senior Citizens’ Week’ is one such measure to encourage the elderly to stay
active in the family and community. Grandparents’ Day is also celebrated to bring families
together to show their appreciation for the elderly.
• [LINK] With such activities, the government is promotes a more positive attitude towards ageing
and the aged, and creating an environment that is socially conducive for the elderly.
‘Many Helping Hands’ Approach – Community Support
• The community is also important in caring for the senior citizens. The community can provide
them with social and emotional support, as well as healthcare and social services.
• The government provides subsidies to voluntary welfare organisations that run community-based
services for senior citizens.
• [EXAMPLE] Some community organisations also offer free health checks and organise
recreational activities for senior citizens to help them remain physically, mentally and socially
active.
• [LINK] Community can help to care for senior citizens, especially those who do not have a family
to fulfill their physical, mental, social and financial needs.
‘Many Helping Hands’ Approach – Government Support
• The govenrment helps senior citizens through legal support. The government passes laws to
ensure the ageing population is self-sufficient and cared for by the family.
• The government also introduces measures to encourage the younger generation to take care of
the aged.
6. • [EXAMPLESSS] taxpayers can claim an income tax deduction for taking care of elderly parents
and grandparents. First-time buyers of governments can get a housing grant if they buy a flat in
the area where their parents live. The government also ensures the individuals have some money
for their old age by making each contribute to compulsory savings in their CPF accounts when
they start working.
• [LINK] Through these ways, the government can encourage the family and community to care for
the elderly. This reduces the burden of the government in its budget so that more can be spent on
other areas like defence and education, which is important for Singapore’s peace and progress.