MOE Speech - SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY & EDUCATION, AT MANJUSRI SECONDARY SCHOOL’S 21ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS

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SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, SENIOR MINISTER OF STATE FOR TRADE AND INDUSTRY & EDUCATION, AT MANJUSRI SECONDARY SCHOOL’S 21ST ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATIONS ON FRIDAY, 25 JULY 03 AT 5:00 PM AT MANJUSRI SECONDARY SCHOOL

Good evening

Venerable Sek Long Gen, Chairman of the School Management Committee

Venerable Shi Ming Yi, Supervisor of the School Management Committee

Madam Heng Sen Mee, Principal, Manjusri Secondary School

Distinguished guests

Teachers, parents and students

Ladies and gentlemen

INTRODUCTION

1          It gives me great pleasure to join you this evening to celebrate Manjusri Secondary School's 21st anniversary.

2          Manjusri Secondary has, in its short history of 21 years, distinguished itself as a premier secondary school, with a fine track record of academic excellence and outstanding CCA achievements. I have no doubt that its commitment to a holistic education and to recognising the diversity and uniqueness of each individual has enriched the many students who have crossed its portals.

MANJUSRI'S ACHIEVEMENTS

3          The school can take much pride in what it has achieved. In the 2002 GCE O-level examinations, the percentage of students in Manjusri qualifying for admission to junior college and pre-university was the highest seen since 1999. It is testimony to the commitment and indefatigable spirit of its leaders, teachers and support staff. I am confident that the school will continue to give of its best to develop the intellectual potential of every student to his fullest.

4          Manjusri is also making its mark in the non-academic arena, which is critical in developing a robustness of character among our young. The NCC and NPCC have done well in attaining a Silver award at last year's Best Unit Competition and Unit Overall Proficiency Award Competition, respectively. The school's basketball team has also done the school proud by qualifying for the B Division Boys and Girls national championships this year. Also deserving of special mention is head prefect Zheng Kai Yi, a recipient of the 'High Five' Youth award conferred by the Central Singapore CDC on youths who have shown outstanding all-round achievements. These various accomplishments are evidence of a sense of discipline and tenacity amongst Manjusri's students. The school has done well to instil this spirit in these young citizens.

5          The achievements of a school's graduates are another important indicator of its success. Manjusri has produced students who have been inspired to give of their best beyond their secondary school education. Some have won accolades such as the ITE Lee Kuan Yew Model Student Award, the Sports Girl of the Year Award and the 'High Five' Youth Award. Two ex-students of Manjusri have also topped their classes at Ngee Ann Polytechnic and Tampines Junior College in 2002. Manjusri has indeed laid a firm foundation for the continuing success of its students. You have ignited in your students a quest for knowledge and, equally important, a zest for life.

CORE VALUES

6           We live in a fast-paced, knowledge-based economy. Science and technology are advancing rapidly, and knowledge that has held true for decades can turn obsolete overnight, as new truths are uncovered. We cannot tell what the future will look like, but it will be a future of continuous and often unexpected change. Social norms will be continually tested, and often revised.

7           Yet the fundamentals of human nature have changed little. We are still creatures of survival, adapting to changing circumstances and devising new ways of sustaining ourselves, as individuals and as groups. We are also moral creatures, aware that there is more to life than competing and edging the next man out. We want to push the boundaries of achievement, not just to enjoy life's comforts, but so that we can enhance the lives of others, and leave something behind to enrich future generations.

8           I am therefore glad that Manjusri aims to give its students an education that is underpinned by strong moral values, which will enable them to face a future of change with confidence and a sense of rootedness. These values have become more important in a world where little remains predictable. They provide a centre, in a world where little else is constant. As a school in the Buddhist tradition, Manjusri espouses values such as compassion, benevolence, selflessness and uprightness. These attributes are critical both to individual growth and to creating an enduring social fabric in Singapore. They will help our young to take personal responsibility and conduct themselves with integrity and dignity. This is essential to our continued progress as a nation.

9           I note with interest that one of Manjusri's strategic thrusts for 2003 has been to develop opportunities for students to manifest strength of character and leadership. Intellectual calibre is not the only trait required for leadership, and it is certainly not the most important. What we need in each generation are leaders with integrity, foresight and an abiding passion for their cause. One of the tasks of education is indeed to develop such leaders, who can go out into society and the workplace and carry others with them and see through future challenges. It is good that Majusri is paying attention to this dimension of education.

10           It is also gratifying that Manjusri will be organising a Heartstrings Day to raise funds for charitable organisations and that students are actively involved in other community work. These activities give students an opportunity to learn to become caring, committed and responsible citizens. I am confident that the moral foundation built by Manjusri will endure in its students after they have graduated and that these values will serve as their guiding light as they move on through life.

INCLUSIVENESS AND COHESION

11           While Manjusri has the distinction of being the only Buddhist-funded secondary school, in Singapore, it has a good mix of students from the different religions and races. Indeed, I am told that the number of non-Chinese and non-Buddhist students is increasing. I commend the school leadership for the emphasis it is giving to promoting social cohesiveness in school as a first step to promoting a more tightly knit society. Students are taught to be culturally rooted, yet to understand, respect and celebrate differences. Indeed, tonight's theme of 'Integration for All' is an appropriate one as we remind ourselves that for Singapore to progress and prosper, all Singaporeans must remain united and come together as one people. It is the collective effort of our people that will decide if we succeed or fail.

CONCLUSION

12           I am confident that Manjusri Secondary School will continue to enrich its students intellectually, aesthetically, morally, physically and socially. Your mission to develop every individual to become a responsible lifelong learner will contribute to Singapore maintaining its competitive edge in the economy of the future.

13           I would like to extend my heartiest congratulations to all prize recipients today for your excellent achievements. My compliments also to the teachers, who have helped their pupils to realise their full potential.

14           I congratulate Manjusri Secondary School on its 21st anniversary and wish the school every success in the years ahead.