(N Level Oral 2025) Do you think that Singapore is a clean country?

Singapore has always won accolades for being a clean and green city. However, I disagree that it is a clean country.

I believe that Singaporeans lack civic-mindedness. When I pass by the void deck of any block of flats, I will be certain to find cigarette butts and wrappers carelessly scattered all over the floor. Sometimes, inconsiderate people don’t even dispose of their rubbish bags into the bins. They just leave them haphazardly. I have seen birds picking at the food waste amidst the torn bags! 

Hence, Singapore is only outwardly clean because we hire many cleaners to clean up after us. Personally, I exchange greetings with a makcik every morning at 6.30am. She will be hard at work, sweeping the floor and depositing the rubbish into a gigantic green bin. I feel sorry that she has to deal with this deplorable mess. I think that there are many unsung heroes like her.

I suggest that schools set aside a time for cleaning their premises every day. When we inculcate the importance of cleaning in students from a young age, we will raise gracious citizens who will be mindful of keeping their surroundings clean.