27 July 2002

SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AT THE NCC DAY 2002 DINNER & AWARDS PRESENTATION AT THE ORCHID COUNTRY CLUB ON SATURDAY 27 JULY 2002 AT 1900 HRS

I am truly honoured to be able to join you at this joyous occasion to celebrate your 101st anniversary. This dinner brings back memories of my six years as a member of NCC. I joined when I was in secondary one and left after Junior College as a cadet lieutenant. So I have seen the NCC progress from its humble beginnings to its current status. You have come a long way indeed.

I am happy to note that you have set your sights to increase your current membership from 15,700 to 20,000 in five years time. This is an ambitious but achievable plan. As mentioned by our Minister, RAdm Teo Chee Hean at the recent NCC Council Inauguration Ceremony, you have the support of both the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Defence.

The NCC will continue to enjoy its place as the Premier Uniformed Group in the schools for as long as you remain relevant. So I am glad to learn that the NCC leadership has also taken the necessary steps to review it's training curriculum, to incorporate more leadership training, to include "responsible citizenship" values into your activities and to ensure that your training remains fun, experiential and relevant.

I am heartened to see the strong collaboration between the SAF and the NCC. The NCC enjoys good support from the SAF, as seen in the numerous and varied support programmes under the SAF-NCC Affiliation Scheme. The NCC Unit Adviser Scheme, where senior experienced SAF officers volunteer their time to assist NCC units in the schools is a good programme, and should be monitored both by the SAF and NCC to ensure proper implementation and continued support from both Ministries.

MOE is fully aware of the SAF's contributions towards the development of the NCC programmes. I have been told that the SAF will introduce new subjects to the NCC's curriculum review. This is encouraging, and the NCC must quickly put in place the necessary structures and procedures to capitalize on this opportunity as it will make the NCC training not only relevant, but also interesting for our cadets.

The NCC should provide more opportunities for cadets to be involved in adventure training. Today, only about 20% of the cadets have an opportunity to join camps in the Outward Bound School, to attend confidence courses like the Basic Airborne Course or Basic Diving Course during their four school years. You should look for more opportunities, new training programmes, and organize new camps either locally or overseas. It would provide good exposure for our cadets to outdoor adventure.

Statistics still show that most Singaporeans lack that spirit of adventure. We have young men and women who rather stay home instead of venturing out to take risks with the hope of better returns. We must train and encourage them to try and explore new things. Only then can we as a nation face the challenges of the 21st century.

Singapore was not spared the September 11 incident. Events happening after that fateful day had affected our social fabric and the trust, which we had forged over the years between our communities. Our leaders have often urged us to look at our similarities instead of our differences and to look for common grounds where we can all stand united. The NCC can provide such a platform. The seven NCC Core values of Loyalty to Country, Leadership, Uprightness, Commitment and Responsibility, Adventurous Spirit, Discipline and Care for Fellow Cadets should be incorporated into your daily training programmes. Officers should find new ways for the cadets to understand these values.

The National Camp 2002 that will be held from the 10th to the 13th of August 2002 will provide an opportunity for our cadets from the various Uniformed Groups to experience a sense of camaraderie, and independence. The concept of having our youth learn new skills at the National Camp is a good one and should be further explored. Also having their parents visit the Camp will add new dimensions in the ways we organize youth activities. We would want to engage parents in such activities, so as to give emphasis to family values through youth movements. The NCC has to strike a balance between the need for the pupils to excel in their schoolwork and to actively participate in NCC activities. You have to ensure that the time taken for NCC training is properly optimized. It is not easy, but it is worth all your efforts if you are able to produce a future General, Chief of Defence Force or Minister.

So I would like to urge all Principals and teachers to continue to give strong support for the NCC. Your patience and understanding will be required in the years ahead when the NCC re-invents itself and introduces new schemes and programmes. Finally, I would like to congratulate the officers who will be receiving their certificates of promotion, certificates of recognition, service medals and incentive awards. I would also like to thank the friends of NCC who had supported the NCC all these years. To the SAF Units, their Commanders and staff, I thank you for your generous support in providing the infrastructure, logistics and manpower. Without these, the NCC would not be what it is today.

Singapore is indeed fortunate to have strong youth movements like the NCC, where our young can be effectively engaged in productive activities and can acquire life-long skills. With farsighted leaders, dedicated and hard-working staff, the NCC will continue to contribute to the development of our youth.