Speeches
Speech by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Information, Communications and the Arts, at the Racial Harmony Day Celebrations at 9.05am on 21 July 2008 at Serangoon Garden Secondary School
Mr Tan Kee Yong, Deputy Secretary (Services)
Mr Chua Thian Poh, Chairman, School Advisory Committee
Mdm Zarena, Chairperson, Parents Support Group
Miss Chee Mei Chun, Principal, Serangoon Garden Secondary School
Colleagues, Ladies and Gentlemen
Boys and Girls
Good morning
I am delighted to be here in Serangoon Garden Secondary School this morning to commemorate and celebrate Racial Harmony Day 2008. On this day each year, schools all over Singapore remind ourselves of the importance of maintaining racial harmony. This is crucial to ensure Singapore’s continued survival and progress.
Taking a pragmatic approach, Singapore has tackled racial and other tensions by building common spaces and experiences for all, while carefully preserving our heritage. Despite our small size, we have a wealth of diverse cultures and communities that have contributed to a unique Singaporean identity.
Since 1997, when National Education was introduced in schools, we have consciously tried to inculcate and develop an understanding of the importance and meaning of Racial Harmony in our students. The relevance of these efforts has not diminished over the years, but the context has changed. The complexity and range of the challenges facing Singapore has increased, with greater global economic and socio-political tension as a result of conflict and competition. There are numerous issues globally—including climate change, bioethics, ideological trends—that will have a major impact on the future of Singapore. As our nation progresses, our unique Singaporean identity, shared values and heritage will be our greatest resource to ensure that Singapore remains Home, regardless of where we are.
Working harder for Racial Harmony
So, what next for our Racial Harmony efforts? There are two aspects that I would like to talk about today.
The first is that we must continue to nurture and preserve key elements of our Singaporean identity. This identity has come about through a combination of our rich cultural, religious and historical heritage. However, passive knowledge is useful as a foundation but not sufficient for students to develop a deeper appreciation of our vulnerabilities as a young, multi-racial nation. To take our efforts to a higher level, we must provide opportunities for our students to ask probing questions about their identity arising from their own experiences. After all, it is by exploring their understanding of what it means to be Singaporean that our young people will identify with their common bonds. They must play an active role in constructing the meaning and understanding of Racial Harmony for themselves.
Second, we must continue to emphasise common values and further develop our common Singaporean identity. To do so, we should leverage on our strong efforts in schools to support Racial Harmony in Singapore. It is not sufficient to use social and economic policies, or strong messaging and national events, to build Racial Harmony. Our students spend the greater part of their formative years in school, and we would do well to continue to leverage on the resources and opportunities presented by their time in schools to inculcate a deep understanding of Racial Harmony and what it truly means to be Singaporean in their daily lives.
Supporting Racial Harmony in Schools
Racial Harmony Day in schools addresses both these aspects. MOE will continue to actively provide resources and develop opportunities for Racial Harmony to be emphasised as a key element in school programmes. At the same time, schools must also continue to tap on their strong knowledge of their student profile, as well as community partners and stakeholders to tailor programmes that meet the needs of their students. How will these two approaches continue to support Racial Harmony in schools?
At the systemic level, MOE provides direction for schools. For example, MOE identified this year’s Racial Harmony theme, ‘Many Faces, One Singapore’ to unify schools’ efforts and provide a common focus for educators and students alike as they explore Racial Harmony. Schools are free to then interpret it in different ways that will ultimately bring across the message and importance of Racial Harmony to students. MOE also implements programmes and policies that support and deepen student’s experiences in the common space provided by schools.
One good example is the Conversational Chinese and Malay Programme rolled out in 2006, which aims to build social cohesion and provide opportunities for interaction between students. Today, Minister who is visiting Elias Park Primary School for their celebrations, shared that these programmes have taken off very well in our schools. We hope that by providing grounding for Singaporeans to further their learning of Chinese and Malay later in life, such programmes will help to enhance communication and strengthen social cohesion. I look forward to experiencing first-hand a multi-lingual skit showcasing the success of this programme in Serangoon Garden Secondary, immediately after my speech.
While MOE can help from the systems perspective, schools have a key role to play in promoting Racial Harmony. This morning, MOE senior management has joined the celebrations of 4 different schools all over the island to emphasise the importance of school-based programmes and approaches to National Education and Racial Harmony. This is in recognition of the fact that all schools have highly unique and creative ways of celebrating Racial Harmony. No two schools will celebrate Racial Harmony in the same way, even though they may have students from similar backgrounds. It is precisely the conscious design and fit of school programmes by educators that have helped our National Education and Racial Harmony efforts to be as successful as they are today.
Serangoon Garden Secondary School
Of particular note, I would like to congratulate Serangoon Garden Secondary School for an enthralling display of various art forms as part of their Racial Harmony celebrations. Serangoon Garden Secondary has identified the right ingredients that are key to promoting Racial Harmony in schools.
The first ingredient is the strong involvement of stakeholders and community groups. Serangoon Garden Secondary has a strong Parent Support Group that ran a “Black Market” in the school during the Total Defence Day celebrations this year, bringing to life the war-time trials and tribulations of Singaporeans in the past. The school’s uniformed groups have also worked closely with community groups such as the Serangoon Citizens’ Consultative Committee and the Al-Istiqamah Mosque to organise activities during the fasting month to reach out to residents and expose students to new experiences.
Secondly, a strong emphasis on a hands-on approach throughout school activities. This involvement of play, performance and participation has come through in the various NE forums, the NE triathlon, Fusion Food Fiesta and especially today’s celebrations, where the launch of the SGS Harmony Trail will give students a chance to try their hand at playing traditional games and performing various art forms. It is through this direct, participative approach that students are engaged in the construction of their experiences that will deepen learning and develop a stronger sense of identity.
Last but not least, Serangoon Garden Secondary has recognised the importance of the teacher in bringing to life the very messages and programmes that students are exposed to. As role models and fellow learners, teachers are of utmost importance in any education programme that seeks to clarify and develop values and mindsets in students. Every term, Serangoon Garden Secondary gives out its own NE Award to recognise a teacher for his or her good work in promoting NE in school. I am pleased to know that teachers here go beyond collaboration and sharing of resources, to personally participate in activities such as skits during the Chinese New Year celebrations. This direct involvement and strong commitment from our educators is important for Racial Harmony efforts in our schools to succeed.
Conclusion
To conclude, Racial Harmony must remain a key priority for our schools. We are still a young nation, and will continue to face challenges amidst a rapidly-changing global landscape. We can only anticipate change and respond nimbly if we stay united as a people. Let us continue to work hard to maintain this precious Racial Harmony that we have built over the years.
On this note, I would like to wish all of you a meaningful and fulfilling Racial Harmony Day. Thank you.