2 August 2002

SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF GAN ENG SENG SCHOOL ON FRIDAY, 2 AUGUST 2002 AT 1 HENDERSON ROAD @ 5.10 PM

1. It is my pleasure to join you this evening at the official opening of Gan Eng Seng School's new premises. This occasion marks yet another milestone in the history of Gan Eng Seng School. Since its establishment in 1885 as the Anglo-Chinese Free School in Telok Ayer Street, offering free education to the children of poor parents in the vicinity, it has shifted its premises a number of times over the last 117 years. Today the school is in this brand new building, equipped with modern facilities, ready and better positioned to educate and prepare our young for the future.

2. Gan Eng Seng School's rich legacies form an integral part of Singapore's education history and development. The late Mr. Gan Eng Seng, whom this school is named after, came to Singapore at the age of 17 as a poor immigrant. He had little education but he knew the value of a good education both for the individual as well as for society. Mr Gan Eng Seng had the noble aim of providing a brighter future for the young in colonial Singapore. With this in mind and armed with courage, passion and far-sightedness, he founded Gan Eng Seng School.

3. Gan Eng Seng School is unique among the secondary schools in Singapore in that it is the only school which was initiated and established by a philanthropist with a gift of freehold property, buildings and funds. The school has moved from being an aided school in 1888 to becoming a government school in 1938, and from being a boys' school to being co-ed in 1961 when it took in the first batch of 20 Pre-U girls. Over the years, however, it remains committed to its philosophy of nurturing in its pupils the skills and values that would help them overcome life challenges.

4. Schools must remain relevant to the future needs of pupils and society. Singapore has no natural resources; our only asset is our people. Our success in the past has been built on the ethics of hard work and a reliance on foreign investments to generate wealth. This approach however, will be inadequate to ensure our survival and success in the new millennium. Schools therefore must equip our pupils with the relevant life skills so that they can thrive and do well in the new millennium.

5. Pupils must learn to be creative and become thinking citizens who will continue learning long after they leave school. They must be able to think creatively when they solve problems. Creative solutions need not always be ground breaking. They simply call for new ways of looking at the same thing, taking a new approach or adopting a new perspective. Today we are plugged into the knowledge-based economy that is global and highly competitive. For Singaporeans to compete in such a knowledge intensive and global marketplace, we must be creative, innovative and enterprising to come up with new ideas and products. Schools therefore must provide pupils with the programmes and opportunities to hone their thinking skills and creativity.

6. I am pleased to note that certain core values are espoused in the school's vision - honesty, pride in work and responsibility to self, family and nation. Schools play an important role in character development and formation. In educating our young, we must not simply teach them how to count but also what counts. Character, honesty and integrity are important. Hence programmes to develop and strengthen the character of our pupils must remain the focus of our schools' efforts.

7. Service to society and to the nation has been exemplified by Mr. Gan Eng Seng himself when he founded the school. This value has been carried through by many graduands of Gan Eng Seng School. As responsible citizens, they have played important roles and have proven their worth as capable individuals in all sectors of our society. Many of them hold responsible positions in the political, academic, legal, financial, commercial, industrial and information technology fields. Their contributions have undoubtedly helped in our nation building efforts.

8. Since moving into the new premises, the school has been able to develop links with the community. In fact Gan Eng Seng School's firm belief in establishing close ties with its stakeholders went back as far as 1950 when the first Parent-Teacher Association was formed. Till today the school enjoys the strong support of the SAC, the Alumni and the PTA. The establishment of COMPASS in 1998 by the Ministry of Education signals the importance of promoting and strengthening the collaboration between schools, parents and the community. The link with the school stakeholders, especially with the community, would give pupils the added opportunity to learn beyond their own immediate school environment. Through community activities, pupils get wider exposure to the realities of the world out there and develop a practical understanding of the social context and the world. This, in fact, would help them further develop their social skills and pick up other skills which may not be directly taught within the school context.

9. It is noteworthy that Gan Eng Seng School has achieved the Sustained Achievement Award for Uniformed Groups for three consecutive years since 2000. In the sporting arena, the pupils have also excelled in sports like basketball and canoeing. Keep up this good effort so that there is the continuation of traditions. Continue to develop your own niche areas.

10. As Gan Eng Seng School enters a new chapter in its history, it can look back on its rich heritage with pride and joy. Our ancestors made sacrifices and contributed towards the building of this school and our nation. We owe it to them to ensure that our legacy is protected. We must not lose our sense of responsibility towards the school and our society.

11 On this note, I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to the SAC, the Principal, staff and pupils of Gan Eng Seng School on the official opening of your new school campus. It is my pleasure now to declare the new campus of Gan Eng Seng School open.