Principal, teachers and students

Introduction

Tomorrow, 9 August, is our National Day. We will be celebrating thirty-seven years of independence. At thirty-seven years old, we are relatively young; many countries have histories spanning hundreds of years. But thirty-seven years is a long enough time to lay the foundations for a nation, a place all of us cherish and call home.

Active Citizens

2. Each day, our students sing the National Anthem and take the National Pledge. As we celebrate National Day, I would like you to think about the meaning of the words of our Pledge begins with: "We, the citizens of Singapore …." Our citizens are what make our country. We have thrived and prospered thus far not because we have riches gushing from the ground or growing from trees, but because of the united efforts of our people. For Singapore to continue to thrive, we will need the energy and contributions of every citizen, including every young person here today.

3. As we reflect today on Singapore's achievements and challenges, as we remember where we came from and where we want to go from here, I want to encourage you to think about your role in Singapore's future: What kind of Singapore would you like to live in? What can you do to make that Singapore a reality? What must you do in order to realise the future you wish for yourself, your loved ones and for Singapore?

Strengthening Racial Harmony

4. You may know that the National Pledge was written by then Cabinet Minister Mr S. Rajaratnam. After the trauma of the racial riots in 1964, he understood the importance of being "one united people, regardless of race, language or religion", and he enshrined these words in our National Pledge. The 1964 riots are now remote from the experience of young Singaporeans, but it is precisely this sense of distance or alienation from history that we must guard against. Although many of you have had the good fortune to grow up in a time of peace, you only need to glance beyond Singapore to see how quickly a society can be fragmented in the name of race, language or religion.

5. We can be proud of what we have achieved as a nation as well as the strong state of racial and religious harmony we now enjoy. We have created a society in which our citizens can take pride in their ethnic or religious identities, while accepting that we need to all work towards a larger common vision. The fact that we can discuss racial harmony so openly and honestly these days, testifies increasingly to the strength of the social bonds we have built.

6. Nevertheless, we must still be careful that we do not let our comfort and prosperity lull us into forgetting to practise what we have pledged. Our schools are at the forefront of this promise. Our schools are where we emphasise what we have in common. Our schools provide the common space where children can play and learn together, regardless of race, language or religion.

7. We commemorated Racial Harmony Day last month. I was happy to see that our schools have come up with so many creative and meaningful programmes. While attending the Racial Harmony Games Day, I was particularly struck by how students from different schools and from different races worked closely together in teams to overcome obstacles and build a Tower of Unity in one of the games. It certainly brought home the message: "Harmony in Diversity" which was the theme of that Day. The students went home with both warm memories of the fun they had and an appreciation of the colourful cultures that are woven into the tapestry of our nation. Most importantly, they had first-hand experience of how easy it is to emphasise what we have in common and use this foundation to build strong, genuine relationships with our fellow Singaporeans, whatever their race or religion. If we continue in this direction, the prospects for Singapore's future social cohesion are very good indeed.

8. There will always be differences that distinguish one Singaporean from another. The challenge facing us is to remain vigilant against those who desire to widen these differences, and use these differences to divide us. Cherish what we have, look forward to what we would like to be - and always remember that upon you, our young people, rest the privilege and responsibility of making Singapore a dynamic, cosmopolitan yet tightly-knit home for all Singaporeans.

9. I wish you all a happy and meaningful National Day.

TEO CHEE HEAN
MINISTER FOR EDUCATION

8 AUGUST 2002