Speeches
Opening Address by Mr Masagos Zulkifli BMM, Senior Parliamentary Secretary, Ministry of Education and Ministry of Home Affairs, at the South Zone LSP Reading Competition at Hong Wen School on 17 November 2009 at 9am
Mr Ng Kim Choon (PBM), Chairman of the School Management Committee,
Mr Ngoh Choon Ho, Principal of Hong Wen School,
Miss Sum Chee Wah, Director of Education Programmes Division,
Principals, Vice-Principals, Heads of Department,
Teachers, parents,
Ladies and gentlemen,
Boys and girls,
Good morning.
I am happy to be here this morning to officiate the first reading competition organised for pupils in the Learning Support Programme. The South Zone Reading Competition for LSP pupils is the first of its kind. South Zone primary schools should be proud that they are the first to do so.
This morning, we will see 46 P1 and P2 LSP pupils pit their reading skills against each other. These 46 pupils have emerged from 225 children who were selected by their teachers to take part in the qualifying round. These pupils like others in the LSP began their primary schooling with little, if not, no language and reading skills in English. Through the LSP, their diligence, and the encouragement given by their parents and teachers, they have grown to become readers. We will witness this morning, with pride, their reading performance.
Background on the LSP
The LSP has come a long way since 1992 when it was started by MOE. It is an early intervention programme which aims to support the children who enter P1 with weak oral English, reading and writing skills. Previously, only around 40% of the pupils supported in the LSP were able to catch up with their peers and read texts suitable for their age at the end of 2 years of support.
A major review was conducted in Y2005 by MOE. The LSP was enhanced based on research evidence in the field of early reading intervention. The enhanced programme was tested through a research study in 34 primary schools before it was rolled out to all primary schools in Y2007. Now, the enhanced LSP is implemented in all primary schools. The percentage of pupils who can now read texts appropriate for their age and hence leave the LSP has increased from the previous 40% to 65%, almost two-thirds of our pupils, a creditable feat! The review and enhancement represents MOE’s relentless drive to improve its efforts to provide quality education to pupils with different learning needs. MOE works closely with Learning Support Coordinators (LSCs) in schools to ensure high quality implementation of learning support in all primary schools. The South Zone reading competition is testimony to the quality of learning support in our primary schools.
Under the enhanced programme, the reading performance of some pupils has increased impressively. Marcus Ong Wei Sheng, a primary 1 pupil from Ang Mo Kio Primary School, readily attempts to pronounce difficult words and phrases, and applies the phonics rules in spelling and reading. At the end of the school year, having gone through one year of LSP intervention, he was able to achieve Band 1 in English for his Semestral Assessment 2 exams! Muhd Nur Hafiz Shamin, a primary 2 pupil from Gan Eng Seng Primary, can read 100 words correct per minute in P2. This is higher than the end of P2 benchmark score of 90 words correct per minute. Jocelyn Lim Yu Jia, a primary 1 pupil from Yangzheng Primary School, enjoyed shared reading and asked lots of questions in her regular class. Not only can she decode and read polysyllabic words now, she reads with expression. This is something we should celebrate!
The South Zone LSP Reading Competition
It is heartening to see that the competition has boosted the morale and confidence of LSP pupils in reading! I understand from the LSCs that their pupils are very proud to be selected for the competition. Many gave thumbs-up signs and big smiles. The competition has created great excitement among LSP pupils and those who participated have good feelings about themselves as good readers. Self-esteem is extremely important to our young pupils. They give pupils confidence in themselves, and spur them to go on learning. As educators, the belief you have in them will have a deep impact on the pupils. Pupils will put their hearts and minds to it if they know and feel that their teachers believe that they can succeed. You are doing the right thing in giving constant encouragement to the pupils. Keep up the excellent work you are doing!
I was also told that not only were the pupils excited, the teachers, Heads of Department (HODs) and even school leaders were equally excited. This competition would never have been possible without the strong support given by Principals, Vice-Principals and HODs. Today’s event has been generously funded by Hong Wen’s School Management Committee. The strong commitment by all in supporting our pupils and professional camaraderie amongst teachers augurs well for LSP pupils.
We must not forget the critical role played by parents in nurturing our young readers. I understand from the teachers and pupils that many parents have been actively involved in preparing their children for the competition. One child said his mother sat with him and got him to read the passages to her. Another said that he was rewarded by his aunt for being selected for the competition. I am very happy that the event has also promoted bonding between parents and their children. Parents’ encouragement is more valuable than gold and it makes a great difference to the children’s desire to learn and to improve.
I strongly encourage schools to continue to provide opportunities for schools and parents to work together to support our children in reading and learning.
Working Together to Support Pupils
Competent teachers, sound programme, strong support from Heads of Department, school leadership and parents are all important ingredients in our efforts to help our pupils learn successfully. Collaboration amongst teachers is also important. As teachers work together, they can learn from one another, see things from different perspectives and pool together knowledge, skills and best practices to benefit the pupils they teach. On the other hand, parents’ endorsement, encouragement and moral support keep their children’s motivation to learn at a high level. For pupils who have learned to read at the end of LSP, teachers must work together to ensure they continue to learn successfully. For pupils who are found to have reading disability, it is important that parents work with the schools to ensure their children access specialised intervention as early as possible.
Declaring the Competition Open
Let me end by saying that all the boys and girls taking part today are winners. On this note, it is now my pleasure to declare the South Zone LSP Reading Competition open. Let reading be your game, and have fun! Thank you.