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In recent weeks, the local media reported prominently the unedifying spectacles of a Singaporean money changer allegedly cheating hundreds of Chinese workers of their hard-earned savings here. Then there was a cruel Singaporean employer inflicting serious bodily harm on her Indonesian maid and a gruesome murder and robberies committed cowardly against elderly and disabled Singaporeans. Against such depressing backdrop, the news report of the prestigious Raffles Girls' School placing the welfare of a student with learning disability above its academic excellence shone as a beacon worthy of emulation by others. By allowing this student to sit the O-level examination, the school failed to repeat its proud record of 100% passes. This humane decision came as a surprise to many, especially those who view Singapore as a rigid rules-bound society, and that Singaporeans generally lack independent thinking and the conviction to question government policies and established norms, even if they disagree with them. Is the shinning example shown by RGS a mere flash in the pan, or is it the harbinger of a more caring society, in which human kindness is valued no less than material success or scholastic achievement? What are some of the attributes of a compassionate community, and how does Singapore measure up? By any yardstick, we can be proud of our long-standing record of philanthropy for charities and education. This contributes significantly to the success of our public institutions. Nowadays, more Singaporeans from all walks of life, including students, would volunteer their services to care for the less fortunate among us. But a truly compassionate society transcends beyond philanthropy, helping the handicapped, being public-spirited or kind to others. Singapore is a highly paper qualification-oriented country, and nothing succeeds here like success. The world-renowned academic failures like Bill Gates and Steve Jobs might not have found fame as computer geniuses, had they been raised locally. As an illustration, when some of us were appointed to government committees some years ago, we were required to furnish our educational credentials, including subjects and grades from O-level onwards, as though we were applying for government jobs! In other words, our culture abhors failures and worships academic achievements. Sadly, many late developers and worthy failures were often denied a second chance to redeem themselves, whether in business or employment. This would stifle initiative, creativity, entrepreneurship and overlook other qualities for success, and ultimately deprive these hapless people an opportunity to attain their chosen goal. Fortunately, there is now a belated recognition that “failure is the mother of success”, and that it should not be held against talented people. Instead, they should be given every encouragement and financial assistance to help them succeed and make their contributions to society. Notwithstanding that our social services are now better than ever before, by First World standard, we need to set aside more resources to provide enhanced public facilities and amenities and more specialised schools and vocational training for our disabled people, so that they can lead a life more approximating that of their normal brethren. Likewise, we should extend a firmer hand of friendship and encouragement to them, not just sympathies and avoidance, in order that they would have a rightful place here. Our employers, both public and private, can and should adopt a more flexible approach towards the handicapped and those with criminal records seeking employment. Take the case of Professor John Nash, who, despite being stricken with severe schizophrenia, was allowed to teach at America's Princeton University because of his mathematical prowess and who eventually won a Nobel Price for economics in 1994. Now 75, he still teaches there. His story is told poignantly in the film, A Beautiful Mind, now showing here. The day that the likes of John Nash, or those with lesser mental ailments, are allowed to teach in our educational establishments because of their merits, will, in my view, be the day that we can proclaim proudly that Singapore is truly a compassionate nation. (The writer is a retired lawyer.)
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最近，本地媒体显著的报道了一名新加坡钱币兑换商，被控欺骗数以百计的中国客工辛苦工作存下来的血汗钱的新闻。一名新加坡雇主残酷虐待印尼女佣的事件，也非常引人注目。另外，还有一宗谋杀和数起抢劫案，受害者不是老人就是残疾人士。 全是一些令人感到沮丧的负面报道。所幸还有一则有如黑暗中指引明灯，令人感到鼓舞的正面新闻。莱佛士女子中学以学生的福利为重，为了让一名患上计算障碍症的学生，和其他同学一起参加“O”水准考试，导致学校无法保持往年100%的骄人及格率。 这个富有人情味和值得仿效的决定，让许多人感到惊讶，尤其是认为在新加坡一切都要照章行事的人。这些人认为新加坡人普遍缺乏自由思考的能力，即使不同意政府的一些政策和办事准则，也没有坚定的立场和提出疑问的勇气。 莱佛士女子中学的例子只是昙花一现，还是预示一个充满爱心的社会将要到来？在一个具有爱心的社会里，除了追求物质生活和学术成就，人们所表现的善心也同样会得到珍惜。 一个大家相互关怀的社会要具备什么条件？我们的社会合格吗？ 不论以什么标准来衡量，我们长期对慈善和教育事业的奉献，都值得我们引以为荣。这是我们的福利机构成功的一个重要原因。另外，也有越来越多来自不同背景的新加坡人，充当义工照顾较为不幸的国人。 但是，一个真正具有爱心的社会，不应该只是一个人们好善乐捐、热心公益、愿意帮助残疾人士或关怀他人的社会。 我们的社会非常重视一纸文凭，大家都希望通过优异的成绩出人头地。学业欠佳的比尔盖茨和乔布斯，如果在新加坡成长，可能不会成为举世闻名的电脑奇才。 多年前当我和一些人被委任为一些政府委员会成员时，我们必须呈上从“O”水准开始的学业成绩供审查，好像我们是在申请政府部门的工作！ 我们的文化只崇拜成功人士，失败的人得不到尊敬。一些较迟发展的人和情有可原的失败者，不论是就业或者创业人士，也没有第二个机会证明自己。 这种情况会扼杀进取心、创意和创业精神。也会忽略成功的其他素质，并最终使这些不幸的失败者没有机会达到他们的目标。 幸好，我们已经意识到“失败为成功之母”，对于有天分和才干的人，一次的失败并不代表他们不会在下一次的尝试成功。事实上，我们应该鼓励和给予他们资金协助，帮助他们成功和回馈社会。 我们的社会福利已经大有改进。但是，以发达国家的水准来看，我们还需要为残疾人士提供更多的公共设施、特别学校和职业训练，让他们也能过正常人的生活。我们不应该只是同情他们，应该鼓励和向他们伸出友谊之手，让他们觉得他们也是社会的一分子。 政府部门和私人机构雇主应该对寻找工作的残疾或有犯罪记录人士，采取较有伸缩性的态度。 以数学天才约翰纳薛教授为例，他虽然曾患精神分裂症，却能够在美国普林斯顿大学教学，并在1994年获颁诺贝尔经济学奖。目前75岁的他依然在大学任教。以他的故事拍成的电影《美丽境界》，正在本地上映。 依我看，有类似约翰纳薛教授的背景，或患有比他更轻微的精神病，但在学术上有优异表现的人才，有一天如果能够在我们的学府任教，我们才能骄傲的说新加坡是一个真正有爱心的社会。 ·作者是一位退休律师。叶琦保译
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