Plagiarism

Plagiarism can be a serious offence when it comes to schools, works, etc. It is an act of copying another person’s ideas, words or work and pretending that they are your own. It is viewed in a way that you are not respecting the other people’s own works and rights.

In my opinions, it is an effective way to start teaching the younger students in primary schools about the pros and cons of plagiarism. Although it is not much of a serious problem in primary schools, it can lead to much serious problems in higher levels especially in Universities if not taught early. It is usually common sense in primary schools when teachers often stress that we cannot copy other students’ works. Otherwise, we will be punished severely. Living along with this “common sense”, most of us are able to use our own abilities and efforts. Also, we learn not to copy from intellectual property- reference websites (for researching and projects) and respect the authors’ rights and works. As quoted from the article, “while the problem is so small at the primary level as to be insignificant, say principals “, so even though the problem is small, it is a ‘must’ for them to know the importance of plagiarism.

However as we progress on the paths to higher levels- secondary, polytechnic, universities, there are many obstacles we are likely to face them. At that point, it is where most students give up and commit plagiarism. The schools and tertiary institutions then start to focus their attentions on the plagiarism. From this statement “polytechnics and universities said the penalties would normally be a fail grade in the course, suspension, or expulsion in the most severe cases”, these consequences can be serious. Through this policy, it puts a heavy pressure on them when they do not want to get involved in some troubles.

Despite knowing the importance and consequence of plagiarism, adults still commit it. University professors falsified their credentials and plagiarised mainly of his doctoral thesis. Claiming them as their ‘own thesis, it is not fair to the original authors and students. It is an action of disrespecting the authors’ rights and making use of their hard work by simply coping them into their ’thesis’. In the end, it gets you in deep trouble- getting your doctoral licence revoked and “blacklisted” for the rest of the life. Nothing comes good out of it.

Concluding them, Singapore can be said to have a highly effective primary educational system for teaching them at young age about the awareness of plagiarism, cyber-wellness, etc. Gaining knowledge of it helps to put them in good stead in future and it all depends on their mindsets whether they should dig their own graves.