I think environmental degradation is the most serious effect. Supporters of globalisation believe that the phenomenon has brought about growth and prosperity. However, many environmentalists have argued that globalisation can be a destructive force to then natural environment and have protested against it. When TNCs set up factories in different parts of the world, many of them used natural resources such as timber, oil and metals at a rapid rate. These resources are often used in abundance in many developing countries. At the same time, developing countries are eager to gain economic benefits that come with globalisation but it caused the natural environment to suffer due to the concern of profits and markets rather than environmental protection of developing countries.

Many of these developing countries lack resources to implement and enforce environmental regulations. In order to improve the development of industries, agriculture, housing and transportation, many countries cut down rainforests at a rapid rate just to generate revenue. This could widen income gap between the rich and the poor as the rapid development has made poverty spread in many countries. As many TNCs are from developed countries, they draw investments, skilled people and resources away from poor areas and relocate them in other regions that benefit them. Although this generated much revenue, but this also make the poor people feel discontented and prejudiced.

Because of people who do not support globalization, it often leads to a loss of local cultures. Global brands in developing countries are dominating the consumer market and this created a largely homogenous culture that include rap music, MTV, Hollywood movies that influence the youths of many people negatively as they lose interest in the local culture. This advancement of foreign culture made many people feel uncomfortable and the people perceive the countries to be forcing their beliefs, cultures and languages upon the rest of the world. This led to a great resentment upon the people.
Reported @ 9:34 PM
Destroy Karakura Town -

Dear Mdm Jean Tan,

How are you? My class misses you very much since you left us at 2005. My class is doing quite fine and we are coping with our studies. Since 2008, I have quite a lot of stress and pressure as more homework are given and handed on the next day. I am writing to tell you about what I have experienced since school re-opened in 2008.

Firstly, my class and I could sit on the gallery in the hall finally after three long years. We have had a bird’s eye view and our legs could never get numb. It is better to sit down on the gallery than the floor. Well of course, there are privileges of sitting on top. During morning assembly, when Mr Koh, our discipline master asked everyone to stand up to get ready, those on gallery will always stand up first and with ease. We can communicate to our peers easier due to how we are seated. We are seated horizontally instead of vertically. There are also disadvantages, our legs will not get numb after sitting for a long period of time but the steps are hard and uncomfortable. I would have preferred to sit on the floor to the steps.

Secondly, I am Secondary four now, so my classroom and other Secondary four classrooms are situated at the fifth floor. But after a few weeks, we are moved to sixth floor. I preferred the sixth floor because the smell of food from the nearby hawker centre traveled to my class and usually there are a lot of cool breezes in the morning. I can look at the beautiful scenery and smell the fresh air. As always the classroom looked quite identical from my previous classroom. But I discovered something. My new classroom is painted! One bad thing about the classroom is that the backdoor is faulty and also we had to climb so much!

Thirdly, the teachers became stricter due to the changes of teachers. Some teachers are not new to us. Ms Heng, our teacher last year taught me History only. But this year, she taught me three subjects which are English, Social Studies and History. Unbelievable! I am wondering whether she can cope. There is one teacher called Mrs Tan, she is teaching me this year. Everyone heard that she is fierce and strict. Many students are afraid of her. But I find out that she is quite friendly and her lessons are fun and interesting.

Fourthly, one of the canteen vendors selling chicken chop is replaced. The price of food and drinks increased drastically due to inflation. The new chicken chop stall is not quite welcoming. Not many students queue for the food. During the previous years, the queue is so long that it can stretch all the way to the canteen washroom. In my opinion, the chicken chop taste awful. I think the canteen vendor should do something about his chicken chop.

Fifthly, on Thursdays, school starts at 8.30am. So exciting! This is the only day I feel fresh and energetic. On the other days of the week except Saturdays and Sundays, school starts at 7.30am. This meant that I could sleep late and wake up late.

Sixthly, we get to see our peers again after the long December holidays, sharing how we passed our holidays.

Seventhly, we have structured remedial after school. I usually go back home at about 5-6pm. It is so tiring.

Eighthly, the school uniform changed. We no longer used the collar pins anymore. The principal asked us to use iron-on badges. It looked so ugly, I thought. The iron-on badges cost $2.50. But the school provided each student with 2 free iron-on badges. If I was given an opportunity to choose, I will definitely choose the collar pin. Students often tend to forget to pin their school badges, therefore the school created the iron-on badges so that it would not be a nuisance for teachers to remind students to remember to pin their badges on their collars.

Ninthly, the school was painted, mostly the walls and doors. The hall’s floor was polished too. Everything was brand-new.

Tenth, it is so frustrating that recess time is very packed. Queues are long and my friends and I are unable to eat what we want. When recess time is over, there are still people queuing up for food. During the previous years, I do not even meet this kind of packed schedule.

Last but not least, I think that the school is developing quite well. That’s all. Hope to hear from you soon

Zhiwei
Reported @ 9:28 PM
Destroy Karakura Town -

Last night before school started, I was wondering what the first day of school would be like. Would it be a very dull, fun or boring day? Many ideas went through my mind. I was unable to sleep well that night. I felt nervous and tense. Most of my friends were in different schools. ‘‘What am I going to do?’’ I questioned myself. I was wondering whether the teachers would be friendly or fierce, strict or kind. This made me even more nervous.

I walked to Kent Ridge Secondary School then all students were told to assemble in the hall and wait for instructions. When I stepped into the hall, it was not as huge but all the students and teachers looked busy. Then we were asked to stand up and sing our national anthem. Then the school played the school song. None of the Secondary Ones know how to sing, the other students sang loudly. Then we took our pledge and settled down. The principal of the school, Ms Chamb greeted the school with a polite and cheerful gesture. The school greeted back in a very gloomy manner. Ms Chamb addressed and briefed us as we were new to the school, she emphasized the rules and regulations of the school mainly on hairstyle and attire. We were then dismissed to our classes by a strict-looking teacher called Mr Koh after Ms Chamb had ended her speech. Before that, the school applauded and gave a welcome to us. I thought that the seniors of the school looked like they were jeering instead, they tend to look like sneering.

Teachers were assigned to all classes. My form teacher is Mdm Jean Tan. She looked quite friendly. We were allocated to our seats by her. Then, she started the day by asking my class to introduce themselves one by one. Everyone introduced themselves so quickly that they looked like they were unwilling to do it. Mdm Jean Tan then distributed the timetable to us. She requested ask not to lose it as it was important. After that she emphasized her rules which was quite possible, like not sleeping in class, do not speak rudely to the teachers, treat your teachers with respect. There is one thing that many teachers mostly like to emphasize on, which was to bring the particular items for the lessons. They don’t accept excuses such as “ I forgot to bring”.

Silence filled through the room. I saw many unfamiliar faces. I managed to spot some of my friends from the same school as me. Mdm Jean Tan then assigned duties to each of us. I am shocked to find out that my primary school friend was made the chairman of my class. He had been lazy and inattentive yet he was assigned as the chairman. I felt puzzled but I congratulated him.

Throughout the lessons, the teachers tried to know more about us. They tried to know more about us. They tried to remember our faces and names. All the teachers I met put a great smile across their faces and they looked friendly indeed. I thought that the teachers in Kent Ridge would look fierce and strict and shout at the top of their voices and tick off mischievous and playful students. I guessed that I was wrong after all.
Reported @ 9:19 PM
Destroy Karakura Town -