Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, at the National Cadet Corps' 52nd Officer Cadet Course Graduation Parade at NCC Campus, Amoy Quee Camp on Friday, 17 November at 7.30 pm

SPEECH BY MR MASAGOS ZULKIFLI BMM, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE NATIONAL CADET CORPS’ 52ND OFFICER CADET COURSE GRADUATION PARADE AT NCC CAMPUS, AMOY QUEE CAMP ON FRIDAY, 17 NOVEMBER AT 7.30 PM

1. It gives me great pleasure to be here at the Graduation Ceremony of the 52nd National Cadet Corps Officer Cadet Course. This evening, we honour the achievements of 90 of our teachers in their successful completion of the Course.

2. Today marks the start of the journey in your partnership with the NCC. Throughout this course, HQ NCC has sought to empower you to build the capacity and enrich the experience of our cadets throughout their stint with the NCC.

3. Developing the character of each and every youth is a crucial mission of youth organisations such as the NCC. In today’s context of globalisation where information moves seamlessly across borders, we need to develop within our cadets a set of Core Vales.
The NCC’s seven core values of Loyalty to Country, Leadership, Uprightness, Commitment and Responsibilities, Adventurous Spirit, Discipline and Care for Fellow Cadets and Community will provide the impetus for our cadets to scale greater heights, and at the same time, be caring, compassionate and upright citizens.

4. During the two weeks residential course on this Campus, you would have also seen and experienced how these values are conveyed and reinforced through the various activities, during the lectures and discussions.

5. As mentors, it is essential that the officers display the right attitude so that the cadets will look up to you. Positive role modelling, meaningful activities and quality interaction will help cadets imbibe the right values. These cadets will in turn become positive role models for the younger cadets whom they will be leading in the future. As the famous English novelist Charles Reade said:

“Sow an act and you reap a habit.
Sow a habit and you reap a character.
Sow a character and you reap a destiny.”

6. Looking at how many of NCC’s former cadets are playing prominent roles in their respective fields of endeavour, be it political, military or civilian, and in both public and private sectors, it is evident that NCC has left an indelible mark in the lives of many and a testimony to the positive influence the NCC has in shaping lives.

7. One focus of this particular course, I am told, is Service Learning. HQ NCC has effectively carried out service learning projects in India over the past 2 years and is happy to have had the opportunity of sharing this experience with the teacher-officers who will be at the forefront of NCC training in the schools. Now that you are all equipped with Service Learning skills, you are empowered to develop more meaningful and enriching Community Projects that will benefit the community, both in Singapore and Overseas.

8. Through the NCC syllabus, you are also empowered to provide meaningful challenges and positive experiences for the cadets.
The NCC tri-service curriculum now allows the Unit Officers to choose from a broad spectrum of activities – land, sea and air – regardless of which element you belong to. I commend this tri-service approach as a positive step in effectively engaging the youth of today who constantly relish new challenges. -You know your students best, choose the programmes that will enthuse and challenge them and provide them with the best possible experience in the NCC.

9. Providing leadership in the school unit may be perceived as a daunting task for a new officer, but being anchored in the NCC Core Values and always bearing in mind the Teacher’s Pledge, you will find your endeavours in the NCC meaningful and challenging. Remember also that you are not working alone, as you will always have your colleagues, and the HQ to support you.

10. During this course, you also had the opportunity of interacting with and learning from each other. For that reason, I strongly encourage you to draw upon each others’ strengths and experiences and let this ceremony herald the beginning of lifelong friendships. The network you have built will allow you to pool resources, share good practices and foster a spirit of innovation and enterprise not only amongst yourselves but also amongst your cadets.

11. As teacher-officers, you also have a crucial role to play in imparting national education to our cadets. The visit to the Singapore Combat Engineers during the SAF-NCC Familiarisation programme would have reinforced your understanding of the SAF’s role in Total Defence. With your clear understanding of the different pillars of Total Defence, particularly Military Defence and the role of the SAF, I am confident you will deliver insightful national education lessons with strong personal commitment.

12. Before I conclude, let me thank your family and your loved ones for the support they have given you, and the sacrifices they have made, while you attended the course. Once again, congratulations on being commissioned as NCC Teacher-Officers. I wish each and every one of you a fruitful time as you “Serve with Pride and Dedication” with the National Cadet Corps.