Speeches
Speech by Ms Grace Fu, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of National Development and Ministry of Education, at the Learning Journeys Appreciation Ceremony on Thursday, 28th August 2008, at 2.25pm at The Legends, Fort Canning Park
Ms Yeoh Chee Yan
Second Permanent Secretary, MOE
Chief executives and representatives of partners in MOE’s Learning Journeys’ Programme
Ladies and Gentlemen
Good afternoon.
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to be here this afternoon to honour the contributions of our partners in MOE’s Learning Journeys Programme.
The Intent of Learning Journeys
It has been ten years since the Learning Journeys Programme was launched in 1998 by then Minister of Education and Second Minister for Defence RAdm (NS) Teo Chee Hean as part of National Education (NE) in schools. At the time, the main aim of Learning Journeys was to instil pride about Singapore’s achievements in our students, help them understand how Singapore has overcome our constraints and challenges, build their confidence in our future, and nurture a sense of belonging to Singapore. These objectives remain relevant and important today.
Every Learning Journey undertaken by our students is an important experience that makes their learning more concrete and meaningful. Our hope is that by visiting key installations and institutions in Singapore, students will be better able to appreciate what they have learnt in textbooks. We want them to see how core principles like meritocracy, hard work, the desire to excel, and readiness to take calculated risks have enabled Singapore to overcome constraints and prosper.
Ten Years of Learning Journeys
The progress, sustainability and success of this programme would not have been possible without your partnership and commitment over the years. The Learning Journeys programme has expanded much since its launch ten years ago. Many organisations such as the JTC Corporation, PUB and the Parliament of Singapore, have been committed partners since the start of the programme. Other institutions have come on board more recently, including our newest partners, the Building and Construction Authority and the Institute of South East Asian Studies. From 20 partners ten years ago, we count over 50 organisations today. As I speak, the list continues to grow. Together, you have helped to provide a wide variety of programmes to cater to the changing profiles, interests and needs of our students.
I am particularly grateful to our partner organisations for investing time and resources to make the Learning Journeys more engaging for our students. Some have created learning booklets, conducted games and quizzes and even built interactive galleries to enhance their learning experience! Through these efforts, it is clear that each of our partner organisations recognises the crucial role they play in nurturing our young. Indeed, the first hand encounters through learning journeys offer immense potential for our students to experience and learn about the Singapore Story. Inspired by the achievements of our partners, I believe students have gained greater confidence in Singapore.
Over the last few years, we are also heartened to see new developments in schools to enhance the range and quality of Learning Journeys for our students. Increasingly, schools are designing their own heritage trails to good effect and involving students as planners and facilitators of these trails. Such school ownership, experimentation and innovation bear testament to the importance and impact of Learning Journeys on the education of our young.
To mark the 10th Year Anniversary of the Learning Journeys Programme, we have produced a special commemorative publication that captures the reflections and appreciation of our students and teachers about their trips to various Learning Journey sites, expressed through words, art and photographs. It is our way of acknowledging the contributions of all our partners, without whom the school experience for our students would not be complete. Special thanks also go out to the students and teachers who have contributed to the recollections and reflections in the publication.
Moving Forward
With globalisation, Singaporeans now have more opportunities to live, work, and study abroad. Hence, it is increasingly important to foster in our young an emotional attachment to Singapore, no matter where they live, or however long they are away from Singapore. The next phase of National Education will therefore see a stronger emphasis on cultivating a sense of belonging and rootedness to Singapore. In order to touch our students’ hearts, we need to customise the NE experience to engage students more effectively and meaningfully.
Learning Journeys continue to be an important strategy to engage students experientially in understanding the Singapore Story. It is crucial that we continue to innovate and enhance the existing programmes so that they remain relevant and engaging for our students. May I take this opportunity to encourage our valued partners to continue playing an active role in updating your Learning Journeys, so that the NE experience will be a meaningful and exciting one for young Singaporeans.
Conclusion
After all, the passion, drive and commitment of our young today will shape the Singapore of tomorrow. Let us continue our partnership to nurture a committed citizenry who will positively shape the future of our nation.
Thank you.