A perspective on the perception of scholarship bonds and obligation

Disclaimer: This blog article has NEITHER to do with the defense of scholarship bond breakers NOR condemnation of the latter. This blog article should be read in the spirit of a perception of a scholarship bond/contract, and the reason(s) affecting it. Lastly, the contents discussed MAY NOT necessarily apply to all bond breakers.

I happened to have an exchange with a civil servant via email and an interesting topic pertaining to the perception of scholarship bonds and obligations cropped up. It was mentioned to effect that some scholars who went to America to pursue their undergraduate studies had a more lenient and sympathetic view of bond-breakers.

First and foremost, America champions itself for being the proponent of capitalism. It doesn't come as a surprise that the highest bidder for human capital would be able to land the services of an employee whose talents are highly sought after. Neither is it surprising that big companies can afford the liquidated damages stipulated within a scholarship contract.

Thus. it can be seen that if one is in a country that is known as a bastion of Capitalism, his perception might change. The typical capitalist believes in an economic system whose production is privately owned, and operated FOR PROFIT. The consequence is that the scholar, with his highly sought after talents might view his scholarship contract as any other contract, and values of obligation to the state (Singapore) is replaced by a "I will only work for the highest bidder" mentality.

I would like to take readers back to an oft-mentioned issue, the pegging of ministerial salaries to the top earners within the private sector. It can be seen that our leaders are aware of the inevitable enroachment of capitalism. At the same time, they feel that they want to retain personels whom they feel are talented. What is their response then? Pegging of salaries to the very best within the private sector.

Our forefathers used to preach the values of altruism for a cause, placing country before self. However, in our modern era, can these such values withstand the onslaught of capitalism?