Speech by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, at the Annual Teachers' Summit 2007 on Tuesday, 4 September 2007, at 9.15am at the Legends, Fort Canning Park

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE ANNUAL TEACHERS’ SUMMIT 2007 ON TUESDAY, 4 SEPTEMBER 2007, AT 9.15AM AT THE LEGENDS, FORT CANNING PARK

Mr Michael Palmer, Board Member, Halogen Foundation (Singapore) and MP for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC,

Good morning

1. I am happy to join you this morning at the second Annual Teachers’ Summit 2007.

2. Over the years, we have built an education system that is held in high regard all around the world. It is a strong and robust system that has been and remain a key competitive advantage for Singapore. It is key differentiator that gives us an edge over many countries. The curriculum is robust, our teachers are passionate, hardworking and set high expectations, parents take education seriously and our students have lofty aspirations.

3. It is an education system that continues to evolve. Over the years, we have devolved more autonomy to the schools. They can customize programmes accordingly to the needs of their students, they can develop niches of excellence, be it in sports, CCAs, Arts or the aesthetics depending on the vision of the leadership and the commitment of staff and students.

4. Even as we prepare our students for new challenges ahead, we need to continually reflect upon not just what we teach our children, but also how we teach them. In other words, education is no longer just about imparting knowledge, it is also about nurturing in our students a passion for learning from young, and a curiosity that extends beyond their textbooks and what they learn in their classrooms.

5. We are preparing our young for a future where the only constant is that it will be significantly different from the present. Some of them will take on jobs that did not exist a decade ago, and master technology that is presently in the infancy of development. Many of them will be venturing into unfamiliar territories, riding the wave of opportunities within and beyond Asia. So we want to instill in them confidence so that they do not merely seek to replicate that which has been successfully accomplished in the past but strive to break new ground, to forge new paths and to chart new directions.

6. Students learn best when they enjoy learning and are motivated to inquire, to explore and to discover on their own. To let them do so, to give them room to make key decisions, under appropriate guidance, that will shape their choices in life, to mould their values and character are heavy responsibilities that teachers have to bear. It requires judgement and discernment, knowing when to hold tight and when to loosen the reins or when to hold fast to the established curriculum and when to deviate and seize on those teachable movements. It is not possible to distill all the dos and don’ts with a set of formulae written in a guide book for teachers to follow. Instead, it will come with time, helped by the support and guidance from the more experienced teachers and if we adopt the mindset that teachers and students are co-learners and co-creators of new knowledge.

7. Teaching is a profession that is like no other. Who you are, what you do, and the attitudes that you hold and espouse will have a direct bearing on the development of your students. It is a great responsibility and a noble endeavour. The rewards go beyond remuneration and formal recognition. It is an inner satisfaction that comes from knowing that the most worthwhile investment one can make is to invest in the lives of those who follow after us. If you take a holistic approach to your work and do it well, you can be sure that while the students may not remember what you teach, they will surely remember you for how you shaped their lives.

8. I am encouraged that so many of you are here today, because you are seeking to broaden your perspectives, and embrace new teaching methods and tools to make you even better at your job. For those among you who will be joining the teaching profession soon, I hope that you will bring back valuable insights as you embark on the exciting career ahead of you. Start your journey knowing that even as you teach, it is vital that you continue to learn. There will be many opportunities for you to develop your abilities, and much to look forward to. Like your students, you will face many challenges ahead. Take every opportunity to equip yourselves with the skills you need, and keep your minds focused, and your hearts single-minded in making a positive difference in your students’ lives.

9. For the experienced teachers among us today, I hope you continue to seek fresh insights and re-discover the verve and passion for teaching. I know many of you are giving a lot to your students, to the profession. You must find ways to refresh and renew yourselves, so that you can continue to inspire your students and your fellow educators.