5 September 2001

SPEECH BY MR MOHAMED MAIDIN BIN PACKER MOHD, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AT THE MOE LIFE ENRICHMENT SEMINAR 2001 ON WEDNESDAY, 5 SEP 2001 AT 9.15 AM, AT THE NTUC LIFESTYLE WORLD - DOWNTOWN EAST

1 It is a great pleasure for me to be here this morning to open the MOE Life Enrichment Seminar 2001.

2 Since 1989, MOE has organised the annual Life Enrichment Seminar as part of its staff well-being programme. This seminar is aimed at creating greater awareness of the need to plan ahead and to equip you with useful information on how to enjoy a meaningful retirement.

3 Past Seminars have received good response from the participants, who included Principals, Vice-Principals, Teachers, HQ officers and our executive and administrative staff. This year is no exception. Over the next 2 days, you will have the opportunity to interact with guest speakers who would address you on a wide range of topics. There would be useful topics such as Planning for Retirement, The Importance of a Healthy Lifestyle, Making a Will, Financial Planning, and Stress Management. Guest speakers comprising medical experts, legal experts and financial experts have kindly agreed to share their knowledge with us. I hope that it will be a useful and enriching experience for you.

4 I am glad to see 400 officers present today. It is encouraging to see so many of you making the effort to attend this Seminar. This is good as it shows that you are all determined to get the most out of your retirement.

5 Good health is vital for an active and fulfilling life. Regular exercise, a healthy diet and proper stress management will ensure that you remain in the pink of health so that you can enjoy the fruits of your labour during retirement. Indeed, life after many long years of active service will still continue to be exciting if you remain mentally and physically healthy. Aging graciously is a lifestyle to be cultivated. And it is never too early to start thinking and preparing for it.

6 Retirement must not mean a withdrawal from society. I urge you to take an active role in shaping this new phase of your life. How precious are the opportunities now available to you to do the things that you've always wanted but had never found the time for time. You can continue on your journey of life-long learning, by taking up courses to acquire new skills, take up a sport or cultivate a new hobby.

7 As teachers, you are also well equipped with your wide repertoire of skills and experiences to do voluntary work to help the less fortunate in society. You could also simply spend quality time with family members.

8 For many amongst you, there are those whose first love is still teaching. Children keep you young at heart. You enjoy the company of inquisitive minds whose occasional bursts of innocence brightens up your day. Let me encourage you to continue to teach or be involved with schools in other capacities after your retirement. You are never too old to teach. Today, we have 265 retired teachers working as Associate Teachers and the oldest is 67 years old. Do consider signing up as full-time or part-time teachers under the Associate Teachers' Scheme, or be a relief teacher, or be trained as a School Counsellor.

9 In closing, let me encourage you to plan ahead for a fulfilling and satisfying retirement. Take full advantage of the seminar. The setting for the next 2 days is designed to be conducive for relaxation and interaction. Many of you would be catching up with old friends whom you have not seen in years! Do enjoy yourselves, and let me wish you warm and happy years ahead.