Speech by Mr Chan Soo Sen, Minister of State, MINISTRY OF

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Speech by Mr Chan Soo Sen, Minister of State, MINISTRY OF

Education, at the completion ceremony of world’s

longest can-chaining project for charity on friday,

1 july 2005 at 4.00 pm at chung cheng high school (main),

40-56 GOODMAN ROAD

Mr Lo Chee Lin, Principal of Chung Cheng High School (Main)

Distinguished Guests

Teachers, Parents and Students

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Afternoon

Introduction

I am pleased to join you at the Completion Ceremony of the World’s Longest Can-Chaining for Charity.

2. Chung Cheng High School (Main) has made history today by chaining together some 45,000 used drink cans to emphasise the importance of conservation and recycling as a means to conserve the environment. It has taken an innovative two-pronged approach to raise its students’ awareness of Singapore’s green environment, and develop in them compassion for the less fortunate at the same time.

3. The earth is constantly under environmental threat from an increasing amount of waste generated by mankind. It is therefore necessary to teach our young the importance of taking good care of Mother Earth. We owe it to the next generation to preserve the environment well so that they can continue to enjoy the beauty and wonders of nature. So I am heartened to note that Chung Cheng High has inculcated the spirit of “recycle, re-use and reduce” among its staff and students.

4. The School’s Interact Club has devised a novel way of promoting environmental awareness, establishing a world record and raising funds for charity – both at the same time!

Teaching and Learning

5. I am impressed with the spin-offs from this project, which include a wide range of activities that have enriched the students’ school life in more ways than one. In addition to learning journeys such as visits to a water recycling plant and a can recycling plant as well as visits to the Dover Park Hospice, the students also learnt about the environment from the informative booths set up at the school by green organizations such as the Singapore Environment Council and National Environment Agency as well as by the beneficiaries of the fund-raising effort – the Children’s Cancer Foundation and Dover Park Hospice.

6. The cans have also found their way into the classroom. They are used to teach mathematics and even music and rhythm.

7. In preparing for this project, the students did not perceive the collection, cleaning and sorting of the used drink cans as hard work but as a labour of love. What they saw were not cans, but tools to help the needy and less fortunate, and, the need to preserve the environment.

Partnership and Collaboration

8. The project also opened opportunities for collaboration with parents, corporations and green organisations. I would like to commend the parents, corporations and green organisations represented here today for working closely with Chung Cheng High to educate our students.

Conclusion

9. When I placed the last drink can as the finale to the creation of the world’s longest can-chain, it marked the successful completion of the project. However, while the project has ended, its effects have only just begun. The less fortunate and the needy will benefit from the funds raised, and the message to conserve the earth resounds loud and clear among the students and staff of the school.

Thank you.