The Singapore government has consistently selected and trained the civil service. The formalization of the current Civil Service College was started in 1971. A hallmark of Singapore is planning with foresight. If a study doesn't quite work in practice or not work at all - the result will be: it is changed for the better. The civil service has a very proactive "can do" frame of mind and the training is meaningful and with a planned purpose, with execution and follow up via Minister's oversight. The civil service has a passion for service with a goal.
This has caused the Singapore Civil Service to be in a state of continuous improvement in knowledge seeking and putting into practice benchmark experiences and successful consistently from Ministry to Ministry. Change is rapid and effective as it is measured. E-governance is getting better by the day. Service standards often exceed those of most private businesses.
Taxes are wisely used and better systems are developed to make Singapore a better place to live. Why is Singapore known as a Garden City? It was planned for 40 years ago and put into constant practice. Greenery is cherished and cared for with the Green Thumb. Both visitors and Singaporeans enjoy the fruits of such policy implementation.
Singapore is a leader in the privatization of items such as tree pruning/cutting and roadway landscaping, cleaning drains, street cleaning, raking leaves, road maintenance and repaving, and repair of burst water mains. And a leader in utilization of inactive or underused resources.
How has the quality of life improved? Look at:
Life Expectancy at Birth(years)*
| |
1970 |
2005 |
| males |
64.1 |
77.9 |
| females |
67.8 |
81.6 |
*source Dept. of Statistics, Ministry of Trade & Industry--Singapore
Many people get credit for the above improvements besides the outstanding efforts by the Ministry of Health. The Ministry of Environment for an active and constant effort to curtail mosquito breeding, usually in a very proactive and non punitive manner. The government policy of daily garbage collection -also privatized - helps improve health by elimination of disease in a tropical country. Teachers and the Ministry of Education with public involvement and awareness by children bringing home good pamphlets to explain health matters - so excellent "buy in" across many Ministries facilitates desired outcomes. This example of Civil Service Leadership has created a advise demand for expertise from Singapore for other nations.
