Dr Michael Lim,
Chairman, Sengkang Town Development Steering Committee

Mr Zainul Abidin Rasheed
Mayor, Ang Mo Kio Cheng San CDC

Mr Yeo Guat Kwang
Advisor to Grassroots Organisations

Mr Charles Chong
Advisor to Grassroots Organisations

Mrs Seow Eng Leng
Principal
Compassvale Primary School

Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen

INVESTING IN OUR PEOPLE - A HIGH QUALITY EDUCATION FOR ALL

1.      It is my pleasure to offer my heartiest congratulations to the School Advisory Committee, Principal, staff and pupils of Compassvale Primary School on its Official Opening this morning.

2.      The Fir Tree, which I have just planted, is known for its steadiness and resilience in surviving under extreme conditions. I hope to see every staff member and pupil of Compassvale Primary demonstrating these similar qualities while overcoming challenges.

3.      Starting a new school is a big challenge, and Compassvale has had more than the usual share of challenges while starting up. The roof of the uncompleted school hall collapsed in June 1999 delaying the school's move to these new premises. I am glad that the school rose to the challenge. You continued to serve your pupils and the wider community well even though you had to re-locate from the temporary premises you were using at Seng Kang Primary, to another temporary site at Rivervale Primary the following year because Seng Kang Primary's enrolment had grown and it needed the space.

4.      In the meantime, the Ministry of Education and the Principal had worked with the Public Works Department Corporation to re-build the hall and look into the safety of the building. The school building was strictly assessed and certified safe before the staff and pupils were allowed to occupy it in November last year.

5.      Undaunted by the setback, the staff, pupils and parents, supported by the community worked hard to build up the new school. The pupil population has increased four-fold to 1300. This clearly shows the confidence the community has in the school. I too am confident that the school will continue to grow and serve the Seng Kang community well.

6.      I would like to thank the whole school community for its patience and strength in facing and overcoming these challenges.

7.      Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong has clearly reiterated the importance of education to Singapore during the Teachers' Day Rally on 31 August 2001. He referred to Education as the key to building a new Singapore - a global city where there are abundant opportunities for economic growth and where strong bonds unite us as one family.

8.      In the last five years the government has made a big investment in education to prepare our children for the future. We have:

9.      We made these major investments in education in the last 5 years in spite of the economic crisis of 1997. In the coming years, the government is committed to invest even more in education. In Financial Year 2001, the budget allocated for education is $6.28 billion, which is about 3.6% of our GDP. We will increase the amount spent on education from 3.6% of GDP to 4.5% of GDP.

10.    We will:

11.     While providing schools with up-to-date physical facilities and resources, which help to create a more conducive teaching and learning environment, the Ministry of Education recognizes that it is very much the people involved with the school the Principal, teachers, pupils, parents and the community who make high quality education a reality. The Ministry of Education is committed to building a high quality teaching force that will constantly innovate and come up with relevant teaching methods to cater to the pupils' diverse abilities. They will also be dedicated to nurturing entrepreneurial and innovative pupils who, at the same time, are compassionate, responsible and imbued with a strong sense of identification to Singapore and our way of life.

12.     As Singapore becomes more cosmopolitan and Singaporeans more economically mobile, we will be constantly exposed to foreign ideas and values. It is inevitable that our social values and commitment towards our nation will be tested. We have a set of shared values, which has over the years moulded the social cohesion that unites our multi-racial, multi-religious society and allows us to progress with stability and strength. This strong social cohesion will be put under considerable stress in the coming weeks and months as we face the uncertainties and repercussions arising from the tragic events in the United States. We have to ensure that we stand together as Singaporeans and continue to live by our shared values, keeping our national pride and identity strong.

13.     Schools form an important ground for all our children to interact, share experiences and develop common aspirations and values. Through the many school activities and programmes, our children will be able to learn to appreciate our various cultures, celebrate the differences which make us unique as Singaporeans and build bonds and friendship that will last a lifetime. By participating along with their children, parents set a good example, and will also learn more about their fellow Singaporeans. Such ties will help to bind the community and hold the nation together.

14.     As our children build bonds with one another, all of us community, parents and schools will become more united as we join in the common cause of giving the best education to our children.

15.     I am happy to note that Compassvale Primary has been very active in building relationships with parents as well as the community. I understand that you have more than one hundred parents in your Parents Support Group and they have participated in school programmes such as organizing a food fair to raise funds during International Friendship Day. Parents who are members of the Compassion Club help out with daily canteen and library duties as well as the Safe Indoor Recreation Activity. I am sure the school has benefited from the involvement of these parents.

16.     With the objective of strengthening family and community cohesion, Compassvale Primary has set up a Golf programme in the school. The Punggol Central Division will administer the school field as a golf practice ground on weekends for a nominal fee to the public, creating an opportunity for everyone to learn golf. The revenue generated will be channelled to both the Punggol Central Division and Compassvale Primary for bursaries and scholarships. I congratulate the school's effort in establishing such innovative collaborations and links with community organizations and private corporations. I urge you to continue working towards fostering quality relationships with all your stakeholders.

17.     On this note, I would like to wish Compassvale Primary every success in striving to provide its pupils with a good all-round education. It is my pleasure now to declare Compassvale Primary School open.

          Thank you.