Naming bond breakers - a short term damage control

Consequently, there are cases where bonds have been broken as a result of students being offered the opportunity for further research in overseas universities following the completion of their basic degrees. This has resulted in the controversy surrounding the naming of scholars who break their bonds.

It should also be pointed out that some of these research positions are funded; a number of Singaporeans hold the Overseas Research Students Scholarship in the UK, which pays for the tuition fees. In addition to this, there are also studentships on offer. What people may find surprising is that these scholarships are frequently offered to top students without bonds.

In contrast to this therefore, the naming of scholars may not be seen to be the most magnanimous of actions, for in trying to shame the scholars, the statutory boards may be inadvertently revealing their own shortcomings.

The process is, competitive therefore, and it may be prudent to ask why we are losing out to foreign competition who offer funds to our better students. If the Singaporean students don't get the chance to take the scholarships, they simply get offered to students of other nationalities.

The use of the "shaming" technique isn't dissimilar to what loansharks do to those who fail to pay up their loans. In this case, the students have paid up the money but their failure is breaking their moral commitment to serve.

Therefore, these measures may be said to be justified, but aren't these short term damage control measures and a rather low thing to do bearing in mind that other people are offering scholarships without bonds?