Speech by Mr Masagos Zulkifli, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education, at the SGM Murni 11th Annual Graduation cum Concert 2007 on Saturday, 17 November 2007, at 11.00 am at Tampines East Community Club

SPEECH BY MR MASAGOS ZULKIFLI, SENIOR PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE SGM MURNI 11th ANNUAL GRADUATION CUM CONCERT 2007 ON SATURDAY, 17 NOVEMBER 2007, AT 11.00AM AT TAMPINES EAST COMMUNITY CLUB

1 It is my pleasure to be with you this morning to share in the joy of this significant event in your school’s calendar - the SGM Murni 11th Annual Graduation Cum Concert 2007. This event is special not only for the graduating children and their family members, but also for the staff and the centre. It shows the hard work put in by the children and the staff.

2 I am pleased to note that the vision of the centre is to involve families and the community to nurture children’s development. It shows that the centre values collaboration between the children, families, school and the community to provide effective pre-school education. An effective pre-school education is one that prepares children for school and for life. This involves providing children with opportunities to develop habits such motivation, curiosity, perseverance and skills such as relating and working with others, listening, speaking, reading and writing.

3 Children are in constant interaction with their environment. As such, optimal development in a child can only occur if there is strong support in the child’s environment. One important support is parental involvement. Parents play a vital role in nurturing their children.

4 One example of an important influence parents can have in their children’s development is by ensuring that their children go to school every day. It is through daily attendance that their children will be able to make full use of the learning opportunities provided by the pre-school and later the school, understand more about the world and to be better prepared for life. I am glad that the centre has put in much effort in involving parents. I am sure that the parenting sessions organized for the parents helped them to better care for their children.

5 It is also heartening to know that the centre works closely with North East Community Development Council to provide assistance to children with financial difficulties. This allows children from needy families to be given a chance to benefit from pre-school education.

6 I would like to take this opportunity to thank the SGM Murni Child Development Centre for inviting me on this special occasion and the Organizing Committee for the effort to make this event a meaningful and memorable one, especially for the graduates and their families.

7 Finally I wish to congratulate all the children who are graduating today and wish you well in your future endeavors.