SPEECH BY MR MOHAMAD MAIDIN PACKER MOHD, PARLIAMENTARY
SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AT THE TAF RETREAT FOR PRIMARY
SCHOOL TEACHERS ON 5 JUNE 2000 AT 11.30 AM AT COSTA SANDS
RESORT, EAST COAST

       A very good morning to the officials from the School Health Service of the Ministry of Health, colleagues from the Ministry of Education, ladies and gentlemen.

2    I am happy to be here at this 3-day residential TAF Retreat for the primary school teachers involved in the TAF programme in schools. While the past two retreats were organised for our pupils, this is the first such event for our teachers. I would like to commend the organisers, the Sciences Branch of the Ministry of Education and the School Health Service of the Ministry of Health for organising this retreat.

3    This retreat will engage you in various activities that enhance your skills in facilitating and managing your school's TAF programme. You will experience a range of fun-filled creative games and activities that you could in turn organise for your pupils in your schools.

4    In addition, I understand that the programme incorporates sharing and discussion sessions on innovative ideas and best practices. I am pleased that this event provides all of you with a valuable platform to share your many success stories for TAF and to talk about what works and what doesn't. All these sharing and discussion points are precious gems for you to take back to your own schools and for you to customise according to the needs of your pupils.

5    In bringing together teachers from schools across Singapore, the TAF Retreat presents you with an excellent opportunity for networking - to establish contacts, sharing circles and support groups. It is indeed an objective of this event to serve as a springboard for further sharing and support at the schools and cluster level.

6    With the TAF Retreat packed with the many relevant and enriching activities, I urge you to seize the day - enjoy the activities, ask questions of the able and expert facilitators, get to know each other, collect ideas and plan for an effective TAF programme for the pupils in your schools.

7    All of us have a part to play in our national endeavour to achieve a trimmer and fitter generation. In particular, as teachers in the primary schools, you have the opportunity to influence our young children, to cultivate in them healthy eating and exercise habits, and to work with the parents to provide a supportive home environment. Children who are primarily immersed in an environment espousing regular exercise patterns and healthy eating habits, are likely to pursue and maintain healthy lifestyles in a similar fashion.

8    I wish you all a stimulating and successful retreat as you engage in the many interesting activities that will provide you with insights and inspiration. Together, we will work for the continued success of the TAF programme in schools.

9    It gives me great pleasure now to declare the 'TAF Retreat for Primary School Teachers' open.

10  Thank you.