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 Graduation Ceremony of the Jamiyah Early Childhood Education Centres on Saturday, 15 November 2008 at 2.00 pm at the Civil Service Club
Tuan Haji Abu Bakar Maidin, President, Jamiyah Singapore
Distinguished guests,
Teachers,
Parents,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Boys and Girls
Introduction
It gives me great pleasure to be present at this Graduation Ceremony of the Jamiyah Early Childhood Education Centres. As I look around the room, I see proud parents and I am honoured to be here today to share in the joy of your children’s graduation. This marks an important first step on their learning journey.
Importance of pre-school education
Indeed, the pre-school years are a critical period for the development of our children. They lay the foundation for our children’s education as they enter formal schooling. Our children are our most precious resource. That is why we want to provide the best for them, right from the start of their educational journey. We want to ensure that all our children have access to quality pre-school education, so that they not only have a strong foundation when they move on to primary school, they also develop a love for learning that will take them through life.
Currently, we have some 500 kindergartens and 750 childcare centres run by private and community organisations, and catering to the different needs of our children. These pre-school education providers play a vital role not just in getting our children to be school-ready, but also in providing a holistic environment for our children to grow and learn. Besides developing our children academically, our pre-schools also need to develop them in other critical areas of learning, such as in aesthetics and creative expression, environmental awareness, motor skills development and self and social awareness. This is so that our children can become well-rounded individuals equipped with the competencies to prepare them for lifelong learning.
No child should be denied an opportunity to benefit from pre-school education because of financial difficulties. That is why a variety of financial assistance schemes have been put in place to help children from lower-income families. These include the Kindergarten Financial Assistance Scheme (KiFAS) and the Centre-Based Financial Assistance Scheme for Childcare (CFAC). Besides these government subsidies, grassroots organisations and self-help groups also provide additional support to those who might need further help through various financial assistance schemes. The government will continue to review the affordability of pre-school education, so that all children will have access to pre-school education, regardless of their financial situation.
Role of Teachers and Parents
I am heartened to note that Jamiyah Early Childhood Education is founded on the importance of developing each child holistically, and giving each child time to enjoy his childhood and youth. Jamiyah’s focus on total and wholesome education is important as the early stages of the children’s acquisition of skills and knowledge are crucial in shaping their conduct and responses to the society they live in. Jamiyah’s Early Childhood Education Centres also offer a multi-racial and friendly environment, and a conducive environment for the development of each child. I am glad to note that the 60 children graduating today are beneficiaries of Jamiyah Early Childhood Education Centres’ strong programme and dedication to quality education.
The success of any educational programme very often depends on an important group of people—our teachers. In our current education landscape, teachers are no longer merely seen as bearers of knowledge. Their role now is to help their pupils construct their own learning in a seamless, integrated and holistic way. Against this more complex educational backdrop, we want to continue to upgrade our pre-school teachers. This is being done through raising the minimum requirements of new pre-school teachers, and encouraging current pre-school teachers to attain higher qualification.
For the teachers present here today, the work that you do is an important one. You may not see immediate results of the time and efforts you have invested in your young charges, but rest assured that the foundation that you have laid goes a long way to helping our children thrive and cope with the next phase of their schooling. Continue to bring the best learning experience to your pupils by attending workshops and seminars so that you can continually upgrade your skills and knowledge, and share your ideas and resources with your colleagues. May you continue to inspire your pupils with the new insights you have gained, and enjoy the satisfaction of seeing your pupils grow and develop in all aspects.
For the parents present today, I would like to congratulate you on this happy occasion. As your children move on to the next stage of their education, continue to love them and support them in this journey. What they learn in their education will get progressively more complex, but rest assured that your children are in good hands. Continue to work in partnership with your children’s schools and teachers towards a positive learning experience for your children, and encourage your children to strive for the best in all they do.
For the boys and girls graduating today, let me congratulate you for your achievement, and wish you a bright future ahead!
Thank you.