Heading back to school for the first time in years (no need for calculators, we are forever 21), YOLO was invited to ACS (Independent) for the 2010 EDB Short Film Competition award ceremony. 

As design and prize sponsor, we were curious to see how the short films would turn out.

The afternoon began as anticipated. We expected to clap and cheer for the finalists, and we did. We expected to watch the students squirm during the grueling Q&A session by the judges, and we did.

But what came as an unexpected surprise after so many years away from school was that we learnt something very important that day. I know. Learning something new in school? Who’d have thunk it?! 

Dressed in a simple white shirt and muted khaki pants, the event’s keynote speaker cast an unassuming figure on stage - until he spoke.

“Sorry, I’m not used to speaking behind a podium,” he began with a smile, before proving that the podium was not the only box he didn’t confine himself to.

Meet Mr. Tong Yee, founding partner and GP teacher at School of Thought (SOT).  This learning centre adopts unconventional ways to help tertiary students score. Students are taught to hone their critical thinking skills and apply a broader perspective to both national and global affairs.  SOT’s intake has swelled over the years, with many students singing praises about their teaching methods, one quipping that the School of Thought was also the “School of Hope”. 

In a candid response to the noble but rather prosaic video offerings by the competition finalists, Mr. Tong Yee addressed the crowd of restless students with the opening words, “What I’m going to say may be unpopular, but it is important.”

He proceeded to say that while the students had done their best to illustrate the “facts” present in economic theory, he would like to encourage them to further explore the greater potential of these theories and apply what they have learnt in a creative manner.

Beyond that, he shared that in today’s society, facts are no longer exclusive. After all, anyone could pop online to Wikipedia or Google and gain the information they seek.  Thus, the challenge is how can we formulate new opinions, how can we question facts, and add value to the knowledge and understanding of our present world, in order to create a better one.

River Valley student Ong Lai Seng, 18, was so moved by Mr. Tong Yee’s message that he spoke up.  “It’s true,” admitted the student, “So many things we do out of fear, like studying because we’re scared of failing, or just doing whatever we’re told for the sake of… this situation makes me very uncomfortable.”

His question for the keynote speaker was then, “How can we change the way things are?”

Mr. Tong Yee thanked the young man for his daring, and began to share his hope that students would begin to gain courage to ask questions, let go of their fears about being wrong or different and that the wonders of learning, and distinction come from exploring the unknown.

As we listened, we found ourselves rooting for this man’s cause. After all, YOLO shares the same vision of pushing one’s boundaries and daring to dream for a better future.

“This isn’t ‘the’ reality, this is just ‘a’ reality,” Mr. Tong Yee concluded to his now-captive audience, “We shouldn’t just accept that the world ‘just is like that’. It can change. A better world can be created.”

Absolutely. We couldn’t have put it any better.

We left school that day challenged, refreshed and motivated. YOLO is always encouraged when we meet like-minded individuals like Mr. Tong Yee, who go out of their way to inspire.