30 December 2002

SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AT CARPE DIEM, A CHARITY CONCERT ORGANIZED BY FUCHUN PRIMARY SCHOOL IN AID OF THE HANDICAPS WELFARE ASSOCIATION ON MON, 30 DEC 2002 AT 7PM, AT THE ESPLANADE.

It is indeed my pleasure to be here this evening for Carpe Diem - the charity concert organised by Fuchun Primary School in aid of the Handicaps Welfare Association.

2 A holistic education comprises the moral, cognitive, physical, social and aesthetic development of a child and tonight's event is a reflection of our success in holistic education. Tonight's concert is not only a showcase of Fuchun Pri School pupils' aesthetic talents but also the school's social consciousness as they raise funds for the Handicaps Welfare Association.

3 This charity concert is a community involvement project that has given the school's pupils an opportunity to contribute their talents and efforts for the good of others. An educated person is one who is responsible to himself, his family, his friends, his community and his country. So, an early exposure to community service can help our children become better citizens as they learn to care for the people and the environment around them. I would therefore like to commend the school - the Principal, the teachers, the Advisory Committee and the Parent Support Group for nurturing its pupils to be socially responsible.

4 Working together to put up a concert of this scale is no mean task. As pupils learn to work together in the pursuit of a common goal, they forge strong ties with their team members. Besides learning to work in a team, pupils also develop positive traits such as perseverance, resilience and adaptability. Such traits will stand pupils in good stead in a world where the only constant is change. Also, the pupils have a role model in the Marsiling grassroots organisations who collaborated with the school to sell 500 tickets to the community. By their action, the Marsiling grassroots organisations have demonstrated to the pupils of Fuchun Primary that everyone can and should contribute to the welfare of the community. In this instance, members of the community have the benefit of enjoying the aesthetics brought to them by the band of Fuchun Primary School. And of course this evening's performance has given residents in Marsiling the opportunity and motivation to be at the Esplanade for the first time.

5 This concert also enables pupils to share their love for music and foster friendships with those having similar interests. Fuchun is playing host to the Thai band from Thepmitrsuksa School that is visiting Singapore for the first time. As the pupils of both schools interact in the course of their preparation for the concert, they would undoubtedly learn more about each other's country and culture. They are like ambassadors-in-training in this partnership project, fostering enduring ties with citizens of a neighbouring ASEAN country.

6 I would like to commend those performing tonight for their efforts and courage in performing in this grand hall in front of this eager crowd. Benjamin Franklin once said,

'Hide not your talents, they for use were made. What's a sun-dial in the shade?'

Our young talents are not in the shade but rather will be in the limelight tonight and the talents are also being used for a very noble cause.

7 Fuchun Primary School's gold award-winning brass band is waiting to perk you up tonight with its musical feast. Aptly named Carpe Diem, I am sure the pupils of the band and the members of the HWA harmonica group will make our day as we watch their performances.