Speech by Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence RAdm Teo Chee Hean at the Official Opening of Coral Primary School (28 Apr 2001)

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR
EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE
OFFICIAL OPENING OF CORAL PRIMARY SCHOOL, 20 PASIR
RIS ST 51 ON SATURDAY 28 APRIL 2001 AT 5.30 PM

1 Coral Primary School received its first cohort of pupils in January 1999 and within two years, the school's enrolment increased more than three fold, from 281 to 1330. The school is indeed fast becoming a choice school amongst the young families in the Pasir Ris New Town.

2 Coral Primary is equipped with the latest facilities for teaching and learning. Sited on two hectares in a vibrant new housing estate, it has a gross floor area of about 14,700 m². In it, one finds special rooms like the two Music rooms and two Art rooms to support the development of the aesthetics, the latest IT equipment and a school-wide computer network to support learning.

3 These up-to-date facilities at Coral Primary demonstrate the Ministry's commitment to providing a physical environment conducive to creative teaching and purposeful learning. It was with this objective in mind that the Ministry launched PRIME (Programme for Rebuilding and IMproving Existing Schools) in May 1999. Estimated to cost $4.5 billion, PRIME aims to redevelop about 290 schools over 7 years in 5 phases, from 1999 to 2005. Phase 1 and 2 involved a total of 133 schools.

4 We are happy to announce that in PRIME Phase 3, an additional 33 schools will be re-developed. This will bring the total number of PRIME schools to 166, which represents 57% of the total number of schools to be re-developed under PRIME.

5 Translated into pupil numbers, the figure works out to be 250 000 pupils who will reap the benefits of better school facilities - facilities that are similar to those you see at Coral Primary.

6 Effective and timely communications with grassroots organisations, parents and the general public which result in greater support and understanding will continue to be an important part in PRIME implementation. Principals of schools involved will also be better prepared to manage specific matters related to the upgrading and rebuilding experience. Consultations with the Principals prior to the finalisation of the redevelopment plans will remain part of the collective approach in formulating the PRIME plans. The schools' active involvement in offering suggestions, ideas and feedback is the key to successful implementation.

7 Since January 1997, 5 new Primary schools have been opened in Pasir Ris GRC. Park View Pr was started in January 1997, White Sands Primary opened their doors to students in 1998, Coral started operations in 1999, Meridian Primary admitted students from 2000 and Casuarina Primary became the latest addition when they started in January this year. These 5 schools have increased the number of primary school places in Pasir Ris GRC from about 10 000 to 21 000 when they are fully functional, that is, an increase of 11 000 Primary school places. Three Primary schools in the GRC, Gongshang Primary, Loyang Primary and Pasir Ris Primary are currently being upgraded under PRIME. This means more places to meet the needs of the residents, and improved school facilities for Pasir Ris GRC.

8 While PRIME could definitely support schools in their endeavours to enhance teaching and learning, it is the school leaders and the staff that determine the quality of the education received by the pupils. In this connection, it is noteworthy that Coral Primary wants to create a distinct identity in the community, where it strives to provide quality education for every child that passes through its portals.

9 This motivation stems from a firm belief that every child is special and has his own gift and talent to be nurtured. To this end, the school has put in place a rich array of co-curricular activities, 15 clubs and sports and games, to enable every pupil from Primary 3 onwards to participate in at least one CCA. It is no coincidence, therefore, that within a short span of two years, Coral Primary has won various Gold Awards in different areas, namely, the Trim and Fit Scheme, the PS21 Wits Convention, and the Malay Language Competition, both in East Zone & National Level in 1999.

10 In the midst of the myriad of stimuli made possible by state-of-the-art facilities, teachers face the challenge of having to ensure that their lessons are equally, if not, more interesting. Teachers have to offer more than facts, which any internet sources will supply in abundance at the strike of a few keys. Impressionable children may be, they will not absorb everything that the teachers tell them, not unless they can make personal connections with the teacher. Such connections are made possible by rich personal anecdotes on life experiences. Teachers have to be relevant, knowledgeable, and engaging.

11 I am confident that with the leadership of the Principal, the dedication of the staff, the commitment of parents and the community, and the enthusiasm of pupils, Coral Primary School will be able to do all the things that we want to do for our students. I wish you all the best on the opening of your School.