13 November 2002

SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY & EDUCATION, AT THE LIFEFORCE SCHOOLS AWARDS CEREMONY 2002,
AT 3.15 PM, WED, 13 NOV 2002, NKF CENTRE AT 81, KIM KEAT ROAD

1 I am pleased to be here this afternoon at the LifeForce Schools Award Ceremony to give recognition to the highly commendable fund-raising efforts of schools, as well as to the specially selected NKF student role models and the winner of the online heath quiz. May I extend my heartiest congratulations to all the award recipients.

2 One of the key objectives of a school education is to impart values and groom character. Academic achievement is only a partial indicator of success. Traits such as perseverance, courage, commitment and compassion are equally, if not, more important. Our schools are therefore seeking to inculcate such values in their students.

3 When we give children the opportunity to devote their time and energy to raise funds for their peers who are afflicted with chronic illnesses, we help them develop commitment and compassion for others. In recognising children who have demonstrated these traits, we are signaling to them and their peers that the spirit of giving and caring is intrinsic to the wellbeing of our community as well as their own development. It is critical that we start developing in our young, as early as possible, the values of love, care, and responsibility towards their home, school, community and the nation.

4 In this regard, I would like to commend the NKF for their public education efforts in raising students' awareness of good health practices through various health education programmes and the needs of the chronically ill through the LifeForce Schools Awards. NKF has also promoted strong moral values, leadership qualities and lifeskills through a character building programme called "Champions of the NKF."

5 Today, I am glad to recognise 8 outstanding students, who are the winners of the Champions of the NKF Award 2002. I congratulate them for proving themselves to be true Champions and bringing pride to their families and schools. This award is a testimony of the strength of character of these young Champions who were selected from over 145,000 students in 124 schools after several rounds of selection.

6 Among the winners, I understand, is 14-year-old Poh Keng Boon. He does not come from a well-to-do family. His parents own a vegetable stall where he helps out during weekends and school holidays. He saves up his own allowances for his parents' use as he believes that they need the money more than he does. He shows a spirit of selflessness that the other winners today have also displayed, in different ways. I encourage the award winners to continue to live up to the award by serving others and motivating their peers to discover the Champions within themselves.

7 I am very pleased to note that there are 116 winners in the various categories under the LifeForce Schools Award. The impressive number of award recipients shows that the spirit of looking out for one another is very much alive. The Award celebrates the life-saving efforts of our students, teachers and principals in raising funds for the sick and needy child patients under the care of the NKF Children's Medical Fund. Your generous contributions are a precious gift to these children who depend on life-saving treatment and medication funded by the public for their survival. The paediatric programmes of the NKF Children's Medical Fund help make it possible for them to fulfill their dreams. Your gift will also help to reduce the emotional and financial burdens of these patients and their families.

8 The schools' contributions have also enabled the NKF to intensify its nationwide life-saving, disease management and prevention programmes, benefiting over 600,000 people each year. The NKF has also spearheaded more health educational programmes such as the Health Knight Award, a children's website and an online health quiz this year so that more students can learn more about health management, which is vital if we seek to nurture a generation of people who are aware of healthy lifestyles and healthy habits.

9 We would not be able to achieve this much without the support and encouragement from principals and teachers. I would like to commend our principals and teachers for instilling in their students the values of philanthropy, compassion and love. I am confident that our school leaders and teachers will continue to groom students who are committed to making a difference in the lives of others.

10 It is always a pleasure and a joy to be able to give. And it is precisely during this period of uncertainty that people need the support of the family and the community to rebuild their confidence. Charity and a spirit of community is more important when times are hard. Do continue to keep the spirit of service and compassion burning in your hearts.