Mr Tang Tuck Weng

Director of Planning, MOE

Chief executives and representatives of

Partners in MOE’s Learning Journeys’ (JLs’) Programme

Distinguished Guests

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good afternoon

Introduction

1.          It gives me great pleasure to be here this afternoon at this Appreciation Ceremony for all our  partners in Learning Journeys (LJ) Programme. I am delighted to be able to officiate at this “Thank You” Ceremony for indeed all of you have contributed immensely to the progress, sustainability and  success of this programme since it started in 1998.

2.          It is indeed my honour to be here to present tokens of appreciation to all the participating institutions.On behalf of the Ministry of Education, I would like to thank all of you for participating in the Learning Journeys Programme for our schools, ITEs and Polytechnics over the last few years.

Progress & Growth of LJs

3          The Learning Journeys programme has expanded much since its launch in 1998. More institutions have joined in, and the programmes have been age-differentiated to cater to the maturities of the students. Feedback from both teachers and students has been excellent. Our students enjoyed learning about what makes Singapore tick through talking to the organisations’ facilitators, through touring the organisations and through role-playing what people in the organisations do. Our students have come to a better understanding of how hard work, the desire to excel, creativity and pragmatic risk-taking have helped us overcome our constraints to achieve our successes today. Inspired by the opportunities that the organisations have revealed, I believe our students have gained greater confidence in Singapore.

4          You and your organisations have done much to enrich the educational experience of our students and motivate them to work for a better future ahead. Time, money, manpower and effort have been invested. Some of you re-worked operations work-flow to facilitate the students’ visits. Others have dedicated a co-ordinating unit to manage the flow of students. Our programme would not have been so successful without your dedication and commitment.

Changes & Flexibility

5          From this year onwards, Learning Journeys will be optional for students of junior colleges and centralised institute, as it is for other same age-group students from the Polytechnics and ITEs. This will increase the flexibility in which organisations can choose to engage these students. Organisations can engage in long-term collaboration with schools to build up mutually beneficial educational partnerships that not only promote National Education, but also other aspects of a holistic education such as Community Service and Career Guidance. These students have indicated that they enjoyed learning about the immediate issues that impacted the nation, and probing in greater depth the workings of the organisations. Hence, MOE will continue to facilitate development of Learning Journey programmes. I am sure   that you will continue to support us.

6          At the same time, MOE will continue to support you as best as we can. In the coming years, we will explore the enhancement of the online Central Booking System that lists the Learning Journeys programmes for booking so that it will be more user-friendly for you.

Conclusion

7          Once again I wish to express my deep appreciation to all the LJ institutions who have been our valued partner in the education of our students. The fictitious CEO in our video said in parting: “Life is learning journey itself, and it never ends” There is a Chinese proverb with the same meaning: “活到老，學到老”. To our partners in education, thank you for helping our students on this journey.