Chapter 1, What does citizenship mean to me?

Question 1

Legal Status

Answer 1

• Citizenship can be shaped when a person is recognized by law to be a member of that country.
• There are a few ways to become a citizen:
  1. Automatically granted Singapore citizenship by birth if they were born in Singapore and has at least a parent who is a Singapore citizen at the time of their birth.
  2. Apply for Singapore Citizenship and has at least a parent who is a Singapore citizen at the time of his or her birth.
  3. By marriage or naturalization if he or she does not have at least a parent who is a Singapore citizen at the time of their birth. They will need to first gain Singapore PR status.
• Governments issue documents such as birth certificates and identity cards, to show proof of a person’s legal status as a citizen Example:
• In Singapore, citizens are issued pink National Registration Identity Cards (NRICs).
• Singapore PRs and those of Singaporean descent who apply for Singapore citizenship would receive the pink NRIC and a Singapore Citizenship Certificate if their application is successful.

Question 2

Rights of citizens (Grants)

Answer 2

• Rights of citizens refer to freedom and privileges that citizens have which are usually in the constitution; and are protected by law and should be respected by everyone in the country.
• One example is Article 16 Rights in Respect of Education. It states that no citizen will be discriminated on grounds of religion, race, descent or place of birth when it comes to the administration by a public authority.
• This is reflected through financial assistance in the form of waiver of $10 a month, free textbooks and uniform is granted for secondary Singaporeans under financial assistance for family gross household income below $2500. This helps needy Singaporeans afford education in Singapore and no Singaporean is excluded from it.

Question 3

Obligations of citizens (Involvements)

Answer 3

• Obligations of citizens refer to duties that citizens are required to fulfill as members of the country.
• An example of an obligation of male citizens in Singapore is to serve NS. Under the Enlistment Act introduced in 1967, 18 year-old male citizens and PRs are required to serve NS. Following the completion of full time NS, they will be required to serve up to 40 days of Operationally Ready National Service per year, until the age of 40 or 50.
• The shared experiences, going to military training during NS help to strengthen the bond among men.
• Helps to build understanding among Singaporeans of different ethnic groups and backgrounds. They will also feel more attached and hence build loyalty to Singapore.
• Also keep Singapore safe from external threats. The enemy will think twice before attacking Singapore as they know that they will have to take on a strong and well-prepared Singapore military force.

Question 4

A sense of Identity

Answer 4

• People from the same country have a sense of national identity. This comes from a shared belief of connectedness to one another and belonging to the country.
• It can be shaped by common experiences, practices and spaces.
• Singaporeans can develop this sense of national identity in different ways.
• For example, Singaporeans consider hawker centres as important common spaces that represent Singapore’s multicultural heritage. In 2019, many Singaporeans including those living aboard, pledged their support for the country’s nomination of its hawker culture to UNESCO’s Representative List Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, which was recognised in December 2020.
• When citizens share common spaces, practices and experiences, they develop a sense of belonging and emotional attachment to the country.
• When citizens feel closer to one another and the country, other positives outcomes will come such as a willingness to care for others and improve society.

Question 5

Shared Values

Answer 5

• Citizenship can be influenced by interpretation and acceptance of shared values held in your country.
• Shared values are values that are embraced and seen as important by a group of people. They are shaped by factors such as the country’s history, heritage and experiences.
• A country’s shared values may also change over time as citizens respond to challenges faced by the country.
• For example, in a survey of 1000 Singaporeans on the characteristics that are important to the Singaporean identity conducted in 2020 by IPOS, 60% of Singaporeans identify multiracial and multireligious society as the main characteristic of Singaporean identity.
• When citizens shared similar values, these values can influence their thinking, attitudes and behaviour. As a result, shared values influences collective decision making and exercise of judgement.
• By embracing the value of “multi-culturalism”, Singaporeans generally believe in living in a multiracial and multi-religious society. They make a conscious effort to understand and develop good relationships with people from different races and religions.

Question 6

Civic Participation

Answer 6

• Civic participation refers to citizens actively taking part in public affairs, which are matters of general interest or concern to most people in society.
• This involves citizens contributing their time, effort, and money to address societal issues, specific needs in society, or interests that they are passionate about and concerned with.
• Participation in public affairs is an important obligation fulfiled by citizens who are motivated and who actively take part in public affairs. This will help to bring about progress and prosperity, and to build a harmonious society so as to advance the well-being of fellow citizens in the country.

Question 7

Civic Participation in Public Affairs as Individuals

Answer 7

• Individuals can participate in public affairs by volunteering their time, effort, and money in matters they are concerned about.
• In 2020, Mr. Andy Teo initiated his project called “Temporary Academic Assistance” to connect students to volunteer tutors.
• Mr. Teo saw this need when schools moved to full home-based learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. He enlisted the help of tutors through social media to teach for free. In just a week, 250 volunteered to serve.
• Students will be able to get timely help to understand concepts from tutors after school home- based learning session. This helped to alleviate students’ stress during COVID-19.
• For other citizens, being personally responsible and taking care of themselves and their family members are also ways to contribute to their country. (For example an individual may conscientiously tend to the needs of his or her elderly parents out of filial piety and to support the country’s efforts in managing an ageing population. Other examples of personal responsibility are staying out of debt and recycling at home.)(—if not needed, don’t write)

Question 8

Civic Participation in public affairs as informal groups

Answer 8

• When there is an issue or area of need that requires attention, people organize themselves into informal community groups to address the concern or specific need.
• These groups generally exist for a period of time needed to address the specific objectives. They may not be registered with the government.
• Mr Nigel Teo and his friends started a mobile application called GoodHood.SG to promote neigbourliness in Singapore.
• For example, a wheelchair bound mum with 4 kids staying in 1 room flat can request for a spare refrigerator when it suddenly broke down.
• Through the app, individuals in Singapore can connect meaningfully with their neighbours by asking for or offering help.

Question 9

Civiv Participation in Public Affairs as formal groups

Answer 9

• Formal groups have clear objectives and are officially registered with the government.
• They cater to specific needs and interests of society and generally devote their efforts over a sustained period of time.
• Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and social services agencies (SSAs) are examples of formal community groups.
• NGOs are not necessarily affiliated with and may not receive any funding from the government. For example, Zero Waste SG is an NGO leading the drive towards zero waste in Singapore through education and advocacy. It engages the public, companies, school and government agencies to discuss the 3Rs in relation to food waste, plastic disposables, household recycling and organizational waste.
• Zero Waste SG started the Bring Your Own (SG) movement, in which 430 retail outlets offered incentives to customers who bring their own reusable bags, bottles or containers. In four months, the initiative reduced over 2.5 million pieces of plastic disposables.
• SSAs are affiliated with the government through the National Council of Social Services (NCSS) which provides some coordination and funding. For example SG Enable is an SSA dedicated to enabling persons with disabilities and promoting an inclusive society.
• Through workshops organized by SG Enable, participants learnt how to interact with consumers with disabilities and improve accessibility of products and services for them.