Speeches
Speech by Mr Heng Swee Keat, Minister for Education, at the 2011 National Day Observance Ceremony at MOE HQ on 8 August at 1530hrs
Mr Lawrence Wong
Minister of State
Ms Sim Ann
Senior Parliamentary Secretary
Mrs Tan Ching Yee
Permanent Secretary
Ms Yeoh Chee Yan
2nd Permanent Secretary
Ms Ho Peng
Director-General of Education
Mr Ng Cher Pong
Deputy Secretary (Policy)
Dr Choong May Ling Mimi
Deputy Secretary (Services)
Directors, colleagues,
Ladies and gentlemen
National Day Message 2011- Majulah! Our Singapore Spirit
It is a great pleasure to be with my colleagues here, celebrating our National Day.
The 9th of August is a special day for every Singaporean. On this day, we celebrate our independence as a nation.
Majulah!
The refrains of ‘Majulah!’ in our National Anthem mean to move “onward”. It signifies our strength, our energy and our shared desire to build a better Singapore. It is a word that declares our determination to move ever onward, as one people.
Our young nation has progressed in ways we could not have imagined. We have raised our standard of living and built a vibrant city of opportunities. More importantly, our society is becoming more caring, cohesive and resilient. Our fore-fathers toiled to make Singapore the jewel it is today. It is now our turn to take Singapore forward.
Our ‘Singapore Spirit’
The ‘Singapore Spirit’ underpins our success as a nation. We are determined to succeed and are ingenious in coping with our challenges, even when the odds are stacked against us.
The ‘Singapore Spirit’ is also about a sense of unity. It is about ordinary Singaporeans coming together to do extraordinary things for each other, and for the broader community, regardless of race,language or religion. It is about the ability of Singaporeans to work together for the common good.
This indomitable spirit and our sense of unity are important themes in the Singapore Story — a story that is being written by each and every one of us as we live out our lives in this place we call home. Strengthening the ‘Singapore Spirit’
As opportunities take us to foreign lands and as we become more globalised in our outlook, there will be an even stronger need to strengthen our Singaporean identity.
Our schools provide a common space for teachers and students, despite their different backgrounds, to build the Singaporean identity collectively around common values and common experiences.
Whether it is through the lessons about life taught to us by our teachers or unforgettable experiences shared with friends in co¬curricular activities, community involvement projects and learning journeys, we should constantly reflect on our words and deeds, refine our character and grow up as responsible citizens who will always carry the Singapore Spirit in our hearts with pride.
Our Progress as One People
As Singaporeans, we are constantly striving to do better — as individuals, as a community and as a nation. All of us must aspire to great things and dare to pursue our dreams.
We must also actively take ownership as citizens to write the exciting new chapters of the Singapore Story. If we work together and are determined to succeed, I believe that every new chapter will tell of an even brighter future for Singapore and Singaporeans.
On this note, I wish you all a happy and meaningful National Day.
Thank you.