20 July 2002

SPEECH BY DR NG ENG HEN, MINISTER OF STATE (EDUCATION AND MANPOWER), AT THE 2002 'BEST' & 'WISE' GRADUATION AND AWARD PRESENTATION CEREMONY, HELD AT THE ITE HQ AUDITORIUM ON SAT 20 JUL 2002 AT 1430 HOURS.

Mr R Sinnakaruppan
Chairman, Advisory Council on Continuing Education and Training

1 I am pleased to join you this afternoon for the 2002 BEST and WISE Graduation and Award Presentation Ceremony. Last year, about 18,000 students graduated from ITE's BEST and WISE programmes. So, the 200 of you here today to receive special awards have performed outstandingly in your studies. It bodes well for our nation when so many Singaporeans want to upgrade themselves. And are committed to lifelong learning.

2 Since the BEST Programme was started in 1983, and the WISE Programme was launched in 1987, about 300,000 workers have participated in at least one module. At the end of 2001, more than 72,000 Singaporeans had successfully obtained the final BEST Module 4 Certificate, which is equivalent to a primary level of achievement in English Language and/or Mathematics. Some 7,000 WISE students had achieved a GCE 'N' level qualification in English Language and/or Mathematics.

3 Singaporeans are still signing up to upgrade themselves. Every year, ITE takes in an average of 9,500 Singaporean/Permanent Resident participants in the BEST programme and another 8,700 in the WISE programme annually. I have been told that we are also seeing an increasing number of older participants. Compared with the previous year, the BEST and WISE programmes saw an increase of 21% and 14% respectively of Singaporean/Permanent Resident participants aged 40 years and above this year. This is a good sign.

4 These responses to BEST and WISE indicate that Singaporeans realize the need to stay relevant and responsive to the changing work environment. ITE is doing its part to reach out to as many workers as they can. ITE intends to leverage on technology to extend its reach as well as enhance effective learning. For example, they are now extending e-learning to adult learners in the BEST and WISE programmes. This would be particularly useful for those workers unable to attend regular classroom lessons because of their working hours or family commitments.

5 ITE recently pilot-tested in January this year e-learning for the BEST English Language Module 4. The E-Tutor system, a learning courseware developed in-house by ITE staff was used by a group of 114 adult learners. Participants could access the E-Tutor from their homes, companies or ITE campuses.

6 The examination results of these participants have been very encouraging. The passing rate of 83% was comparable with the national average but the quality of the grades and speed of learning were found to be better. 50% achieved distinctions compared with the national average of 35%. Fewer e-learning students dropped out - 10% compared with the national average of 23%. E-learning allows its participants a self-paced learning environment. With this flexibility, many are completing the course faster. Under e-learning, 90% of the participants completed the programme in five months, with some 35% completing the course in four months. The regular duration for classroom-based lessons is six months.

7 Not surprisingly, more than 90% of the participants said they enjoyed e-learning because they could learn at their own pace and review the lessons and exercises as many times as they wanted. It was also more convenient as they could learn at any time in any place.

8 However, the results also revealed that success is highly dependent on individual commitment and discipline. The support of employers is also important for those who need web accessibility from their workplaces. Participants need to invest their time to acquire basic IT skills so as to take full advantage of e-learning capabilities. When using the e-learning approach, participants need to take greater responsibility and initiative to fully utilize the e-learning courseware materials for learning, revision and preparation for examinations which in itself reinforces lifelong learning

9 Today, I am pleased to announce that eleven companies will receive the Special Company Awards in recognition of their valuable contributions and support for the BEST and WISE programmes. These programmes started out as partnerships between ITE and companies and unions. Without the support of these key partners, we would not have been able to reach out to so many workers.

10 Special Awards will also be given to 3 PAP Community Foundation Education Centres that have provided support to the NTUC in conducting these programmes.

11 This year we will present Certificates of Appreciation to Principals of ten MOE Schools who have extended the use of their premises in the evenings, in order for the Continuing Education and Training Programmes to be conducted. We thank them for their co-operation in this partnership to promote Continuing Education and Training Programmes.

12 Awards will also be given to two hundred outstanding BEST and WISE participants who have done well in their studies in 2001.

13 In addition, 234 Incentive Study Awards donated by the Singapore Labour Foundation will be presented to BEST Module 4 graduates who have progressed further in upgrading themselves through the ITE Continuing Education and Training programmes. The part-time courses they have taken range from the Chemical Process Technology and Info-Communication Technology courses for the manufacturing industry to business and nursing courses for the service industry. By doing so, they have wisely used the many training opportunities available in ITE to upgrade themselves. I encourage the others who have completed the BEST or WISE programmes to do the same.

14 On this note, I would like to extend my congratulations to all the award winners.