SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION & MINISTRY OF MANPOWER, AT THE 3RD NORTH ZONE NATIONAL EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR SECONDARY SCHOOLS AND JUNIOR COLLEGES ON SATURDAY, 28 AUGUST 2004, AT 9.00 AM, AT EVERGREEN SECONDARY SCHOOL

Ms Elim Chew  Managing Director, 77th Street (S) Pte Ltd;

Mrs Yu Sing Tong, Deputy Director, Schools, North;

Mr Koh Boon Long, Deputy Director, National Education Branch;

Mrs Marian Chia, N5 Cluster Superintendent;

Mrs Mary Koh, Principal, Evergreen Secondary School and Chairperson of the Organising Committee;

Distinguished Guests;

Principals, Teachers & Students of the North Zone Schools

Good morning.

Introduction
1      It gives me great pleasure to join you this morning at the 3rd North Zone NE Seminar. It is significant that this annual NE Seminar for the North Zone Secondary Schools and Junior Colleges is held in August, it being the month of our National Day.  This year, there is the added significance of the leadership change at the highest level of government.  Not only has there been a change in the chief executive of the country, there has also been leadership renewal.  As a result, the third-generation leaders are in the process of taking over the helm. 

Preparing for a New Global Landscape
2      MOE is introducing greater diversity, choice and flexibility in the education system.  It is important that we move in this direction so as to nurture new generations of Singaporeans with the skills and talents, and the character, to take on new challenges.  This will enable us to thrive in a much more complex future as we move from an efficiency-driven to an innovation-driven world.

3      In an increasingly complex world and changing economic landscape, the future is very uncertain.  However, we know that it will be a fast-changing future and there will be surprises.  There will be keen competition in the world and the region, with long-established leaders often giving way to new players.  For example, China and India are redefining global competition, posing a challenge to established economic powers.  At the same time, the future will hold much promise and immense opportunities for our young as they venture to make a living for themselves.

4      The question to ask is how do we maintain our edge, and, retain a special advantage for Singaporeans in this new world, 10 or 20 years from now?  The key to staying relevant and creating new value lies in Education.  That is how we will make our mark, not just by being competent and efficient but by being a leading Asian hub for new ideas, for business innovation, and, for enterprise.

5      Our greatest strength will be in our intangible characteristics.  We cannot be the cheapest country in Asia.  But we are unique in our multicultural orientation, in being a trusted player reputed for quality and honesty, and in being open to business and people from all over the world.  These are critical intangibles that we must keep at all costs.  We will only be useful to China, India and Southeast Asia if we retain these special and unique characteristics and capabilities.  We have to develop a deep understanding of these players and an ability to engage them.  But we have to maintain our open and cosmopolitan character rather than make ourselves out to be like them.  This is how we will stay relevant – by being unique and at the same time being able to fit in the scheme of things in the world.

6      Therefore we have to nurture Singaporeans who are willing to be different.  We will not succeed if we produce young Singaporeans who just follow tried and tested ways.  We need Singaporeans with different talents and different ways of thinking, willing to test new approaches and bounce ideas off each other, as well as work with people from all over the world.  This new generation of Singaporeans will be part of what defines Singapore.

7      Thus we have to start with our young.  We have to build in them strength of character - a resilience and a willingness to risk failure, bounce back and try again.  And a willingness to stand and fight as a team.  These are the key traits and life skills that will enable our young to push and redefine the boundaries, and, to create new opportunities and rewards for themselves and for Singapore.

8      These habits of mind and character are formed quietly, over years of schooling - in the classroom, on the performing stage or on the playing field.  They require a holistic approach to education that extends well beyond preparing our students to excel in their examinations.  That is why our schools place importance on providing an all round education for their students.  And why we celebrate excellence in all its dimensions – and not just in the academic arena.  Therefore it is in this context that I would like to reiterate that the I&E thrust in our schools should be firmly anchored in the strength of character of our students and on the total strength of the team, one that is built on mutual trust, friendship, and racial and social cohesion.

Challenges for Schools
9      Faced with the I&E challenge, schools must look at changing the mindsets of the entire organisation, from the leaders and managers to the support staff to the students.  School leaders and teachers must be the first to inject this spirit of I&E so that change is evident in all aspects of school life.  With the necessary skills, attitude of mind and temperament, our students can be better prepared to face the challenges of the future, where I&E will define the global stage.

10     I will now elaborate on suggestions on how schools can infuse I&E in three key areas; namely in Curriculum, CCA and Enrichment activities, and, in School Leadership and Management.

(i)      Firstly, infusing I&E in the Curriculum. This Involves both the school management and teachers’ willingness to change and students’ willingness to veer away from the norm and their comfort zone of traditional methods of learning.
• Classroom Teaching
For classroom teaching, go beyond the traditional classroom and explore other pedagogical approaches to teaching content and skills.  Encourage the questioning spirit in our students.
• Curriculum design
Bring innovation into the curriculum, incorporate more experiential learning and develop in our students the ability to take on ambiguous situations.
• Project Work
Project Work encourages students to be creative and to develop independent thought and discovery.
• Interdisciplinary learning
Interdisciplinary learning assists students in establishing links and relevance between subjects instead of segregating content or skills.  This can help students to develop breadth of knowledge and see the bigger picture.

(ii)      Secondly, infusing I&E in CCA and Enrichment programmes, both for teachers and students.  This is a critical area in which I&E can be fostered as a mindset and attitude. 
•   Student-initiated activities
Through student-initiated activities, students are given the opportunities to explore and experiment as well as develop the capacity to lead.
•   Integration with CIP
Incorporating service-learning in CIP is another step towards social entrepreneurship, which can help both the students and teachers to develop into good and committed citizens.
•   Beyond the academic
Students and teachers can pursue and nurture other interests and talents beyond the academic.  They could take this opportunity to pursue their passions and develop their potential to the fullest.

(iii)      Finally, infusing I&E through School Leadership and Management.  You can invent new systems or ways of doing administrative tasks and manage staff more efficiently and effectively.  Schools can try to adopt a whole school approach to I&E and maximise every learning opportunity to encourage creativity and initiative.  Collaborations with external agencies, to leverage on their strengths to stretch the learning opportunities, and with other international partners, to learn and exchange ideas, can also be explored.

Conclusion
11     While today’s NE Seminar shows how important I&E is with regards to Singapore’s economic survival in the future, it is more important that the key foundation of building students’ character, forging team spirit and fostering social cohesion which underpin I&E be fully promoted first.  I urge you to take this opportunity to exchange ideas and create a more vibrant and enriching school environment.

12     I wish you a fruitful discussion at the Seminar.

Thank you.