NUS cites “lack of sizeable numbers” for abrupt cancellation of Haresh Sharma’s playwriting course

SINGAPORE: The National University of Singapore (NUS) has responded to veteran Singaporean playwright Haresh Sharma, who expressed frustration over the university’s last-minute cancellation of his course.

The award-winning playwright, known for iconic works like Those Who Can’t, Teach, was informed just five days before the start of the term that his appointment at NUS had not been approved.

Mr Sharma also revealed that two other artists, including local theatre actress Noorlinah Mohamed, faced similar experiences.

Both were scheduled to teach this semester but were dropped without a clear explanation.

As reported by Singapore’s state media CNA, on Thursday (15 August), a spokesperson from NUS’s Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) explained that Mr Sharma’s playwriting course “lacked sizeable numbers” to be conducted “meaningfully.”

They mentioned that the Voice Studies and Production course is currently being taught by a full-time staff member.

The spokesperson added that the faculty considers various factors, including enrollment and the broader curriculum, when appointing external instructors.

“We lacked sizeable numbers to conduct the playwriting course meaningfully.”

The spokesperson also noted that they have reached out to both Mr Haresh Sharma and Ms Noorlinah Mohamed regarding this matter.

However, FASS’s statement did not address why Mr Sharma and the two other artists were informed of the course cancellations on such short notice.

Mr Sharma first expressed his dissatisfaction on Instagram on Monday, noting that he was informed the university’s decision to cancel his course was “unrelated to issues of qualifications, experience, or teaching abilities.”

“Then what? Is this how the university treats local artists? What about all the work I’ve done in preparation for my course? ” the resident playwright at The Necessary Stage (TNS) questioned.

He apologised to the students who were looking forward to his course, acknowledging the unnecessary stress caused by the last-minute cancellation, especially at the start of the term.

Despite receiving the Distinguished Arts and Social Sciences Alumni Award in 2022 from NUS’s FASS, Mr Sharma questioned how the university can honour him with the award but not allow him to teach.

He sarcastically asked when it would be appropriate to return the award.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Haresh Sharma (@haresh_sharma_)

Mr Sharma Calls for Fair Treatment of Part-Time Artists

Separately, he shared that two other artists had similar experiences. Mr Sharma emphasized the importance of educational institutions treating part-time artists justly and responsibly, as many are freelancers who heavily rely on income from teaching.

“Last minute cancellations deny them the opportunity to find other jobs, resulting in a painful loss of income,” Mr Sharma asserted.

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A post shared by Haresh Sharma (@haresh_sharma_)

Concerns Raised Over Broader Trend to Discourage Critical Thinking and Creative Expression

Mr Sharma, known for his socially conscious plays, is also a vocal critic on social media.

Observing comments on Mr. Sharma’s Instagram post, while some expressed solidarity with him, there were concerns about whether his course might be perceived as too radical for the establishment. There were also fears that such actions could be part of a broader trend to discourage critical thinking and creative expression in favor of producing conformist students.

In an early July Instagram post, Mr Sharma questioned Singapore’s stance on recognizing the state of Palestine, asking, “how about accepting Palestine’s right to exist and categorically rejecting Israhell’s terrorism?

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A post shared by Haresh Sharma (@haresh_sharma_)

His comment was in response to Foreign Minister Dr Vivian Balakrsihnan’s remark during 2 July Parliamentary sitting, where the Minister affirmed that Singapore is ‘prepared in principle’ to recognize Palestine as a sovereign state, contingent upon it having an effective government that renounces terrorism and recognizes Israel’s right to exist.

However, Dr Balakrishnan also described the conflict in Gaza as a complex issue, likening it to a “family quarrel in another family” and emphasizing that it is “fundamentally not our quarrel.”

“Another worthwhile reminder for all of us in Singapore is that this is fundamentally not our quarrel. This is a family quarrel, in another family. ”

“The worst thing you can do in a family quarrel is to get involved unnecessarily or with ulterior motives or to perform for an external audience, ” Dr Balakrishnan added.

His remarks sparked criticism within the Singaporean community, with many viewing them as morally inconsistent and inadequately addressing the severe situation faced by suffering Palestinians.