20 April 2002

SPEECH BY RADM TEO CHEE HEAN, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION & SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AT THE 43rd NATIONAL POLICE CADET CORPS DAY PARADE ON SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2002, 5.30 PM AT THE POLICE ACADEMY

Mr Charles Chong, Chairman, NPCC Council and Member of Parliament for Pasir Ris-Punggol GRC

1 It gives me great pleasure to be here this afternoon to join you in commemorating NPCC Day. Officers and cadets from a cross-section of NPCC Units all over the island are gathered here, united as members of the NPCC, to renew their pledge of loyalty and dedication to the Corps and to the Nation. In doing so, you re-affirm the values and traditions that have allowed the NPCC to grow and develop into a strong and significant youth organization over its 43-year history, supporting Singapore's effort to ensure a safe and secure place for its citizens to live in.

2 As we move towards an increasingly knowledge-based and globalised world, Uniformed Group Organisations such as the NPCC will play an even more crucial role. For while it is important that you acquire knowledge and skills in order to ensure our country's economic growth, these alone would not make a gracious society or a strong nation. Education is not merely the acquisition of knowledge, but of values too. The robust training and meaningful activities of the NPCC provide opportunities for our youths to develop physically, mentally, morally and prepare them to face adversities confidently. Hence, NPCC cadets are imbued with the values of loyalty, service, responsibility and discipline, fulfilling the NPCC's vision of 'Moulding the Builders of a Safe and Secure Home'.

3 By the end of this year, the NPCC's role in serving society will be further expanded by the incorporation of the Home Team's Community Safety and Security Programme (CSSP) into the NPCC Training Programme. The NPCC will work very closely with Home Team Departments such as the Police Force and the Civil Defence as well as Community Development Councils (CDCs) to address problems faced by the Community. With a large pool of over 20,000 officers and cadets, the NPCC is an important resource for the implementation of the CSSP, thus promoting community bonding and active citizenship. This will be a big leap forward in the nurturing of Singaporeans from a young age.

4 The NPCC also aims to develop leadership in our youth. The ability to think for oneself and others, the qualities of confidence and initiative, are crucial to our nation's success. From a young age, you have been taught the values of effective and responsible leadership, and have been given ample opportunities to lead as NCOs and Cadet Inspectors at the Unit and the HQ level. The setting up of HQ Specialist Teams which allows Cadet Inspectors to plan and execute functions under the guidance of NPCC HQ is one example of this. With the completion of the new NPCC campsite on Pulau Ubin at the end of 2002, cadets will have even greater opportunities to participate in leadership, team-building and confidence-building activities in improved facilities for adventure training.

5 Today, I congratulate the winners of the Unit Overall Proficiency Award 2001, especially Hong Kah Secondary School and Bartley Secondary School NPCC Units which have been awarded the 'Outstanding Achievement Award' for having won the Gold Award for five consecutive years. This is the second time that this prestigious award has been given out, and I am confident that it will serve to inspire other NPCC Units to work towards greater heights.

6 The NPCC Pledge that you will take in a moment speaks of Loyalty and Service. When you take this pledge, be conscious of the true meaning of these words. I hope that each of you will resolve, eventually, to put these words into action. Together you will create an even brighter future for yourselves, the Corps and the nation.

7 I am confident that the NPCC will enjoy continued success in developing caring and responsible citizens. I extend my congratulations to the officers and cadets of the NPCC as you celebrate the 43rd Anniversary of the Corps.