Speech by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State for Education at the Asian Children's Writers and Illustrators Conference to be held on 16 November 2006 at the Possibility Seminar Room, National Library Board

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, MINISTER OF STATE FOR EDUCATION AT THE ASIAN CHILDREN’S WRITERS & ILLUSTRATORS CONFERENCE TO BE HELD ON 16 NOVEMBER 2006 AT THE POSSIBILITY SEMINAR ROOM, NATIONAL LIBRARY BOARD

A little boy planted a carrot seed.
His mother said, “I’m afraid it won’t come up.”
His father said, “I’m afraid it won’t come up.”
And his big brother said, “It won’t come up.”
Every day the little boy pulled up the weeds around the seed and sprinkled the ground with water.
But nothing came up.
And nothing came up.
Everyone kept saying it wouldn’t come up.
But he still pulled up the weeds around it every day and sprinkled the ground with water.
And then, one day,
A carrot came up -
Just as the little boy had known it would.

Ms Lim Li Kok, Chairperson of the National Book Development Council of Singapore.
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen.

1. I thought it would be appropriate to begin this morning’s ceremony by reading to you from one of those charming picture books I’ve come across, entitled, “The Carrot Seed” written by Ruth Krauss.

2. Young or old, we all love a good story. What this story points to, is a child’s simple faith in what he believes in, and an indefatigable spirit, in the face of cynicism and worldly wisdom. Because of his persistence and faithful tending of the carrot seed, the child is rewarded and walks away with a big carrot.

3. The National Book Development Council of Singapore has also been faithfully planting seeds and watering them tirelessly. For the past six years, you’ve organized the Asian Children’s Writers and Illustrators Conference (ACWIC). You wanted to achieve three things: to celebrate children’s books, to give us access to children’s literature with Asian content and to promote writing for Asian children. Your singleminded pursuit of these objectives and your efforts thus far are certainly laudable.

4. In a survey of 3,600 students conducted earlier this year by the English Language Curriculum and Pedagogy Review Committee, we found that close to 6 in 10 primary pupils listed reading storybooks as the best way to learn English. Among secondary students, the top suggestion in terms of what would improve their English was the same - read the newspapers and storybooks.

5. Further, one in two students at the primary and secondary levels indicated that in order to learn more English, they would like their teacher to show them interesting books to read. This was ranked highest in their choice of three from a list of 13 given to them. This choice ranked above requests for more group work and short immersion programmes to native English-speaking countries. You will be pleased to note that English Language tuition featured very low on students’ ranklist.

6. MOE piloted an early literacy programme in 30 schools this year. One of the key features of the programme called SEED-EL or Strategies for Effective Engagement and Development of Students in English Language is the use of age-appropriate literature to promote reading.

7. SEED-EL schools flood their classrooms with books because they know these will help children pick up the language in a fun and engaging way. Storytelling and shared reading also develop children’s imagination, spontaneity and creativity.

8. Let me take this opportunity to commend the National Library Board, the Book Council and Media Development Authority, for encouraging our children to read widely. Students we interviewed have cited the National Library as their main source of good books to read.

9. One point which I would like to turn my attention to is the range of material our children ought to be exposed to. NLB’s survey finding shows that our children are reading books written by foreign authors such as Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton, Nancy Drew and J. K. Rowling. This is natural as there is a dearth of Asian writing, especially for younger children. Of the eight or nine thousand children’s titles published in English worldwide, only 20 to 30 titles are Asian in essence. It is because of this that the Book Council, NLB and MDA have proactively sought to promote Asian children’s literature.

10. Both NLB and the Book Council have published bibliographies and organized programmes to highlight Asian children’s books. Asian traditions, myths, legends and culture are rich and can provide sufficient materials and inspiration to Asian writers. In time to come, with some encouragement, we hope that this will be the basis for more good stories and books with Asian content to emerge.

11. To assist in growing a group of talented Asian writers, MDA and the Book Council launched the First-time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative last year. This initiative aims to nurture aspiring Singapore writers and illustrators and develop fresh talents for the local publishing industry. It also serves as a launching pad for them to embark on their respective careers in the literary arts while contributing to Singapore’s growing pool of creative writers.

12. It is my pleasure to launch the product of the First-Time Writers & Illustrators Publishing Initiative - 14 new books - today. The writers were shortlisted from two hundred candidates last year and were awarded grants of up to $8,000 to carry on with their writing. Since then, they have produced 14 charming tales to add to the expanding pool of Singapore children’s literature. From errant ducklings to samsui women, their stories showcase the rich cultural heritage of a nation caught at the crossroads between East and West.

13. I myself have found the stories delightful and creative. The vibrant colours of some, the simplicity of others and the artistry in all will, I am certain, touch the child in everyone of us.

14. When more Asian publications come off the press, I hope that we can sustain their promotion to attract a wider readership base in Singapore, Asia and other parts of the world. This will help foster meaningful exchanges between different cultures and inculcate a deeper understanding of our unique way of life. In time to come, we will be able to produce our own body of literature, uniquely marked with the multi-faceted hues of the Asian experience.

15. May I close by congratulating the fourteen authors on their creative publications and thank the Book Council, NLB and MDA for their support and enterprise. It is my pleasure to launch the fourteen book. I wish all of you happy reading and reliving the pleasures of a child’s world.