SPEECH BY Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Manpower & Second Minister for Education, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF FIRST TOA PAYOH SECONDARY SCHOOL, ON FRIDAY, 1 APRIL 2005, AT 5.30 PM

SPEECH BY Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Manpower & Second Minister for Education, AT THE OFFICIAL OPENING OF FIRST TOA PAYOH SECONDARY SCHOOL, ON FRIDAY, 1 APRIL 2005, AT 5.30 PM

Mr Philip Soon

Vice-Chairman, School Advisory Committee

Mdm Aini Bte Ma’arof

Principal, First Toa Payoh Secondary School

Distinguished guests

Ladies and gentlemen

Boys and girls

Good Evening

Introduction

1 It gives me great pleasure to be here this evening at the Official Opening of First Toa Payoh Secondary School.

2 First Toa Payoh Secondary was the first secondary school built to cater to the secondary school population of Singapore’s first satellite town, Toa Payoh. It has since served the educational needs of students in and around the area for the last 30 years. Today marks another milestone for the school with a new campus with better facilities completed in 2003. Having merged with Upper Serangoon Secondary School in January 2004, First Toa Payoh Secondary is now thriving with a total enrolment of nearly 2,000 students. These students, I am sure, have enjoyed their study and play in this spacious and conducive learning environment.

3 While up-to-date facilities are necessary to help students learn better, they cannot replace committed teachers, who are the key agents to ensure that the students under your charge obtain a broad-based and holistic education. I am thus glad to note that the school’s leadership has chosen a forward-looking vision – to build a gracious and vibrant learning community.

Holistic Education to Prepare for the Future

4 The values you instil into your students will decide if they can succeed in a world of frequent and unpredictable changes. We need to develop Singaporeans who have the skills, character and values that will enable them to deal with such challenges. We must help our students face the future with confidence, take advantage of opportunities that arise, and move Singapore forward.

5 We cannot impart the characteristics of self-confidence, enterprise and initiative through rote learning within the confines of a classroom. I am glad that First Toa Payoh Secondary is committed in providing ample opportunities for students to engage in activities that challenge both mind and body, through CCAs or other school programmes. These activities will instil in them qualities of resilience, resourcefulness and teamwork, and allow leadership skills to be developed.

6 The “Student Leadership Programme”, that this school has implemented is therefore an important platform as every student is made a leader, whether in the class committee, prefectorial board or in the CCAs. In participating in this programme, students realise that in order for any system to work properly, any committee to function smoothly, leaders must mobilise support and effort to improve things and get everyone committed to their role.

7 Other programs which help develop character are the “After-School Programme” and a variety of CCA programmes such as rock-climbing, wushu and the outdoor adventure club. These wide ranging programmes not only give students flexibility to pursue their interests and discover their talents in new areas, they also help develop habits of mind that will enable students to be versatile and responsive.

8 As much as we want to teach our students how to succeed in life, we should also be equally passionate about imparting to them the virtues of service to others. I am glad that First Toa Payoh Secondary spearheads many programmes like the Love Toa Payoh East Movement, in collaboration with grassroots organizations. I had the honour of launching the programme here in March last year and am glad to know that it is still on-going. The programme is unique and special as it creates opportunities for the schools to engage in active collaboration with various organisations in Toa Payoh East to meet the real needs of the community. This programme exposes students to the community at work, their problems, their aspirations, their heartaches, their successes. I believe that you can use this programme to effectively communicate values and essential lessons about life if you are to succeed in educating your students.

Serving the Community

9 I am heartened to also learn that First Toa Payoh students keep abreast of events happening in Singapore and around the world and do not hesitate to contribute to make a difference. The recent tsunami tragedy has taught students a profound lesson on human compassion, endurance and vulnerability. Touched by the plight of the victims, the Girl Guides of First Toa Payoh Secondary initiated a fund-raising movement, “Compassion Our Heartbeat” – in line with one of the school’s core values – to encourage their fellow students to donate generously to the victims. Students also reflected on their experiences and wrote notes of condolences for the victims, which were sent to the Indonesian and Sri Lankan Embassies.

10 I am encouraged to know that the students are coming forth to serve in community projects. These include organising Racial Harmony Day with the Toa Payoh Community Centre and providing help at the Toa Payoh Senior Citizens’ Health Care Centre. It is through such community involvement programmes that our students develop leadership abilities as well as inculcate a greater sense of responsibility for their fellow men. And as they grow, I hope to see this sense of civic consciousness in our young translate into a willingness to stand up for what they believe in and into being prepared to do something for the good of the larger community.

The Way Ahead

11 Schools like First Toa Payoh Secondary School, which have a high percentage of students that come from neighbouring precincts, can play a large role in fostering community through their students. Let us teach our youths that their actions affect not only themselves, but also their community, their country and the world beyond. I am confident that, with its strong leadership and dedicated staff, First Toa Payoh Secondary School will be able to fulfil its mission and vision in the years ahead.

12 In conclusion, I wish to congratulate the Principal, SAC members, staff, and the students of First Toa Payoh Secondary School on the Official Opening of the school. I now have the pleasure of declaring First Toa Payoh Secondary School open.

Thank you.