30 November 2002

SPEECH BY DR NG ENG HEN, MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AND MANPOWER AT THE BOOK LAUNCH OF "A HAND TO HOLD" CUM SEMINAR ON "MY CHILD'S LEARNING JOURNEY" ON MON 30 NOV 02, 9.45 AM AT SPH AUDITORIUM

1. It's my pleasure to be here at the book launch of "A Hand to Hold", a joint publication by Students Care Service and Thumbs Up, and the seminar on "My Child's Learning Journey". I understand that the publication is made possible by the support of the SMRT Corporation Limited. I am pleased to note the collaboration and effort by the community to make this event possible.

2. This collobarative effort between VWOs, public corporations and government reflects the many helping-hands approach that we have adopted to provide social services in Singapore. The process of involving many partners contributes to a greater stakeholdership and sense of community and nationhood. This morning's launch cum seminar also involves more partnerships with parents and the community as we recognize that students and their families require additional support to supplement what the schools can provide.

3. I am pleased that the Students Care Service has been rendering such additional support to students and their families since its inception in 1976. I am told that you have set up your own Educational Psychology Service in 1983 for students with special learning needs. I understand that last year alone, the Educational Psychology Service reached out to some 1,500 students through its three centres located in Clementi, Hougang and Yishun. Thank you for the hard work you have put in to provide professional help to students through parent education workshops such as this seminar, specialized learning support, family casework, individual counseling and group work.

4. I commend the efforts of Students Care Service and Thumbs Up for your commitment and dedication in producing the book, "A Hand To Hold". Reading the book and particularly the real life stories depicted has helped me better appreciate the feelings and struggles of students with special needs. The book has much to teach about accepting and understanding our fellow Singaporeans who are a little different from us. One story in the book tells about Yang Jing, a boy who frequently walks about in the classroom during lessons and disturbs his classmates. Yang Jing is likely to be labeled naughty and mischievous, and has a genuine difficulty in controlling his behaviour. He has been diagnosed to have ADHD - Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Hence, this book serves as a useful reference guide on such special needs. I am particularly pleased that "A Hand to Hold" is published in both the Chinese and English languages as that will certainly benefit a wider audience.

5. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Students Care Service and Thumbs Up continued success in all their future endeavours. It is my belief that through such public education efforts, we will become more alert and sensitive to the needs of others around us, and know what it takes to build a more tolerant and gracious society. In closing, I wish to share this quotation from Leo Buscaglia: "Too often we underestimate the power of a touch, a smile, a kind word, a listening ear, an honest compliment, or the smallest act of caring, all of which have the potential to turn a life around."