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

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

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.

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 our accomplishment [sic]. This isn't comparable Nor has anything to do with your own experiences on why you didn't attend your ceremony [sic]."

PHOTOS: Screengrab/Facebook

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.

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 I know the consequences if something happened".

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

PHOTOS: Screengrab/Facebook

rainercheung@asiaone.com

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    'They downplayed the whole situation': Mum blames Ang Mo Kio pre-school after daughter's fall leads to surgery
    London Southend Airport closed, all flights cancelled after small plane crash
    Israeli missile hits Gaza children collecting water, IDF blames malfunction
    Man lodges police report after $400 of printed SG60 vouchers used by stranger
    Joss paper burning allegedly sparks corridor fire in Chai Chee; 7 received medical aid
    'How long can I continue to sing for?' JJ Lin diagnosed with heart condition in 2024
    Heavy rain triggers flooding and landslides in parts of New Zealand
    Up 4.3%: Singapore's economy grew in Q2 despite US tariff fears
    Thousands turn up in Punggol for 3rd anniversary of Jack Neo's walking group Pa Pa Zao
    Best credit card promotions in Singapore (July 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    PCF holds family day event to celebrate SG60, sets new Singapore record
    'It feels like a dream': F4 reunite for first time in over 10 years during Mayday concert finale

Singapore

Singapore
    • 'Can we have a date?' DPM Gan Kim Yong invites Punggol North residents to dinner
    • Geylang petrol station employee, 77, dies after being hit by reversing car
    • 'He was jealous': Woman allegedly slashed with knife for chatting with 2 men below Jurong West block
    • NDP tank hits traffic light: NSF responded with the appropriate SOP, says Mindef
    • 'Very unfair to me': Locksmith files police report over harassment after viral claim he yelled at elderly person
    • Organised crime groups pushing drug-laced vapes in Asia including Singapore: UN
    • OCBC Group CEO Helen Wong to retire end-2025, Tan Teck Long appointed successor
    • 'We should not prejudge him': Ex-diplomat Bilahari Kausikan weighs in on Trump's ambassador-nominee to Singapore
    • 4 women arrested in Yishun for allegedly offering sexual services disguised as massages
    • All 12 government parliamentary committees to get new chairpersons, 19 first-term PAP MPs included as members

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'I was so excited I wanted to cry': Fans spend up to $50k in auction to experience a day with Jackson Wang
    • Who doesn't forget easily and who doesn't gossip? Hong Huifang, Cynthia Koh and Pierre Png, cast of new Singapore-Thai thriller, talk people politics
    • Ex-NCT member Taeil sentenced to 3.5 years of jail for sexual assault
    • Sheila Sim takes haircutting course after giving daughter bad trim
    • 'Wow, who is this girl?' Pierre Png and Cynthia Koh recall first time they met at water park as teens
    • Michael Jackson's daughter Paris 'concerned' about payments made by his estate
    • Vanessa Hudgens pregnant with second child
    • Jennifer Aniston reportedly dating hypnotist
    • Bella Thorne accuses Charlie Puth of lying 'to the entire world' after she refused to sleep with him
    • US singer Chris Brown pleads not guilty to lesser assault charge in UK court

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Kaya toast, extra cute please: Breakfast-themed plushies with a local twist at Marina Square pop-up
    • Singapore coffee brand Alchemist debuts 2 outlets in Japan, marking first overseas venture
    • Now you can get Springleaf prata in a cup - with curry - from a vending machine
    • Orh Gao Taproom, popular bar by night and kopitiam by day in Serene Centre, to shutter
    • I thought childbirth was painful. Then I caught my baby's hand, foot and mouth disease
    • How a mother's warmth shapes a child's mental health, according to science
    • A first-time condo buyer's guide to evaluating property developers in Singapore
    • Things to do in Nagoya: A food lover's guide to Japan's underrated metropolis
    • Where $4m semi-Ds sit next to $40m GCBs: Touring First Avenue in Bukit Timah
    • Little red dot, big bold ideas: 60 Singapore innovations shaping our future

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • 'Give a positive review': Hidden AI prompt found in academic paper by NUS researchers
    • 'Report 1 shop, another 10 appear': Hoyo Fest artists on copyright struggles
    • NTU penalises 3 students over use of AI tools; they dispute university's findings
    • Australia social media teen ban software trial organisers say the tech works
    • Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
    • Initiative by IMDA, AI Verify Foundation tests AI accuracy, trustworthiness in real-world scenarios
    • Under siege? Helldivers 2's latest city to be invaded by aliens could be spoof of Singapore
    • Honor 400 Series launches in Singapore with first free in-device AI image-to-video tool

Money

Money
    • Best credit card promotions in Singapore (June 2025): Citibank, DBS, HSBC, UOB and more
    • Best bank offers in Singapore (July 2025): 50% cashback on public transit with Amex, win Business Class flights with HSBC and more
    • 9 best personal loans in Singapore with lowest interest rates (July 2025)
    • Best fixed deposit rates in Singapore (July 2025): Minimum deposits from $500, rates up to 2.45%
    • Temasek sees $45b rise in net portfolio value to record high of $434b amid global uncertainties
    • 'It's our grandfather's company, we won't sell', says Wong family as shareholders reject GE delisting bid
    • Japan, South Korea hit with 25% tariffs as Trump ramps up trade war in letters to leaders
    • Trump says alignment with BRICS' 'anti-American policies' to invite additional 10% tariffs
    • Regulators warned Air India Express about delay on Airbus engine fix, forging records
    • Higher seller's stamp duty a 'light touch' to curb property flipping: Experts

Latest

Latest
  • Magnitude 6.7 earthquake strikes Indonesia's Tanimbar Islands region, geophysics agency says
  • Italy's abortion taboos challenged by new law in Sicily
  • North Korea's Kim, hosting Lavrov, says he will support Russia to resolve Ukraine
  • Violent clashes erupt between far-right groups and migrants in Spanish town
  • China says Dalai Lama succession issue a 'thorn' in relations with India
  • New Zealand aims to double foreign international education market by 2034
  • King Charles to host Trump in September for state visit to Britain, palace says
  • Cameroon's Biya, 92, announces bid for 8th presidential term
  • Anger turns towards Washington in West Bank town mourning 2 men killed by settlers

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Lurid tale of China's cross-dressing 'red uncle' goes viral online
  • JB mum forgets baby in car during shopping trip; cops, locksmith rescue infant
  • Fulfilling a childhood dream: RSAF pilot enlists after JC, takes part in first NDP
  • Jurong West homeowner evicts tenant after power bank catches fire and damages flat
  • Climbers battle torrential waters after flash floods hit Mount Kinabalu; all 155 persons safe, says park
  • Jail for ex-auxiliary police officer who loaded 1 bullet and accidentally discharged revolver
  • Woman injured on SMRT bus after bottle thrown at vehicle shatters window
  • Singaporean drivers rack up over $17k in fines for VEP violations in 5 days
  • Roblox avatar and lantern: Star Awards 2025 looks that made us go 'huh?'
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.