Wednesday, April 15, 2020

Ong Ye Kung's reassurance that missing graduation ceremonies is okay sparks unhappiness among graduates

Source Website: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/ong-ye-kungs-reassurance-missing-graduation-ceremonies-okay-sparks-unhappiness-among
By Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 14 April 2020


Some 32,500 students from the five polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) would have to miss out on their graduation ceremony this year.
PHOTO: Some 32,500 students from the five polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) would have to miss out on their graduation ceremony this year. That meant receiving their diplomas, certificates and transcripts through the mail instead.
Facebook/Ong Ye Kung
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 14 April 2020
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https://www.asiaone.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main_image/public/original_images/Apr2020/20201404_oyk.png?itok=k84VFbba
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/ong-ye-kungs-reassurance-missing-graduation-ceremonies-okay-sparks-unhappiness-among
 

For many, a graduation ceremony is a milestone that marks the end of their journey as a student, and the beginning of another as a working adult.

Unfortunately, some 32,500 students from the five polytechnics and Institute of Technical Education (ITE) would have to miss out on their graduation ceremony this year. That meant receiving their diplomas, certificates and transcripts through the mail instead.

The decision to cancel the ceremonies was not an easy one to make, but a necessary one in order to adhere to the government's heightened social distancing measures during the coronavirus outbreak. Nonetheless, it left many students feeling disappointed.

Despite Education Minister Ong Ye Kung's attempt at reassuring students that missing out on a graduation ceremony was not as big a deal as it seemed — by sharing his own experiences (or lack thereof) — it appeared to have struck the wrong chord for some.



Posted by Ong Ye Kung on 12 April 2020 at 8:11 AM
https://www.facebook.com/ongyekung/photos/a.920603904620879/3371983112816267/?type=3&theater


In Ong's Facebook post on Saturday (April 11), one student questioned: "From your post, it looks like since there is no meaning in graduation for you, why not cancel all graduation ceremonies in the future then since everyone will not remember. Other cohorts will be graduating with their graduation ceremony, and we will be graduating in 'pdf' online lmao"

"While a lot of them said they don't think graduation ceremony is a big thingy but still, people like us will be sad for our life if our grad is cancelled," another lamented.

One particular student even called Ong's post irrelevant, stating: "As a student who is graduating this year, I am upset our ceremony has been cancelled. It's a ceremony to celebrate on (sic) our accomplishment. This isn't comparable Nor (sic) has anything to do with your own experiences on why you didn't attend your ceremony."


While a lot of them said they don't think graduation ceremony is a big thingy but still, people like us will be sad for our life if our grad is cancelled
PHOTO: "While a lot of them said they don't think graduation ceremony is a big thingy but still, people like us will be sad for our life if our grad is cancelled," another lamented.
One particular student even called Ong's post irrelevant, stating: "As a student who is graduating this year, I am upset our ceremony has been cancelled. It's a ceremony to celebrate on (sic) our accomplishment. This isn't comparable Nor (sic) has anything to do with your own experiences on why you didn't attend your ceremony."
PHOTOS: Screengrab/Facebook
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 14 April 2020
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mxl3q0dO4fMXebuF1WrwJ7gOXpG0p60Eh3YcrCyVMJi4cDvFrp1WPHn6-qi2CAYH20cIJ20CzqHV4mWJbnu5AzUhXnE8HoozVGNSdezOhYmUrlfSoAlVz_hJq0ab-XeXUUhshyphenhyphenVyO-Y/s1600/Unhappiness_among_graduates.png
Unhappiness_among_graduates.png
https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/ong-ye-kungs-reassurance-missing-graduation-ceremonies-okay-sparks-unhappiness-among


It wasn't as though Ong had brushed the ceremonies off as unimportant, but due to the invisible nature of the coronavirus, it would be safer to call them off than "trigger a cluster of infections."

"A happy occasion will become a tragedy," Ong wrote.


It wasn't as though Ong had brushed the ceremonies off as unimportant, but due to the invisible nature of the coronavirus, it would be safer to call them off than 'trigger a cluster of infections.'
PHOTO: It wasn't as though Ong had brushed the ceremonies off as unimportant, but due to the invisible nature of the coronavirus, it would be safer to call them off than "trigger a cluster of infections."
"A happy occasion will become a tragedy," Ong wrote.
Source: Getty Images
Picture posted by businessinsider.sg
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https://static.businessinsider.sg/2020/04/04/583c950f70296622008b4ad4.jpeg
https://www.easybranches.com/regions/singapore/6291463


Rather than outright cancellations of the ceremonies, students pleaded to have the events postponed till after the outbreak is controlled.

On the other hand, many others chimed in support of Ong.

A mother shared that she had looked forward to attending her daughter's graduation, "but [she] know[s] the consequences if something happened".

"You are not a (sic) alone," another reassured. "Many are in the same boat, missing the significant moments. Having the right values, mindset and understanding surpass (sic) the once in a lifetime event[,] especially in this sober time."


On the other hand, many others chimed in support of Ong.
PHOTO: On the other hand, many others chimed in support of Ong.
PHOTOS: Screengrab/Facebook
Picture posted by Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne on 14 April 2020
Our disappointments are different, yours and mine, but we both have them.
Our disappointments are different, yours and mine, but we both have them.
PHOTO: Our disappointments are different, yours and mine, but we both have them. Yours are as real and crushing and painful to you as mine are to me, and they linger, needling our hearts, despite our best intentions to leave them behind. [2]
Picture posted by depositphotos.com
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God has got this thing in His hands.
God has got this thing in His hands.
PHOTO: God has got this thing in His hands. He is looking out for you. He is working out a plan that is bigger than you, and you are going to be better for it in the end.
alk to God like you’d talk to your best friend.
alk to God like you’d talk to your best friend.
PHOTO: Talk to God like you’d talk to your best friend. Your prayer doesn’t have to be pretty or sound like one at your church. It just has to be honest and come from your heart. [2]
Picture posted by Adobe Stock
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By Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, 14 April 2020





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Reference
[1] Rainer Cheung, rainercheung@asiaone.com, AsiaOne, Ong Ye Kung's reassurance that missing graduation ceremonies is okay sparks unhappiness among graduates, posted on 14 April 2020, https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/ong-ye-kungs-reassurance-missing-graduation-ceremonies-okay-sparks-unhappiness-among

[2] Tara Ziegmont, 13 Bible Verses to Overcome Disappointment, posted on 16 April 2013, https://feelslikehomeblog.com/2013/04/13-bible-verses-to-overcome-disappointment/
 
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