MOE Speeches - SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE RACIAL HARMONY WEBSITE

SPEECH BY MR HAWAZI DAIPI, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE RACIAL HARMONY WEBSITE ON SAT, 15 FEB 2003, AT 0900 HOURS

1. I am happy to join you this morning for the official launch of the Racial Harmony website. This is especially so because I am now energised by the vigour and vitality of the students who performed the fanfare of drums.

2. It is all the more meaningful for me to note that the fanfare was performed by a multi-ethnic group of students, who, though aware of their cultural differences, were united by the objective of delivering a seamless performance. The result was a class act of blending the rhythm and beat of the kompang, tabla and tambourine with the graceful movement of Chinese dance. What I felt was not only the collective energy of a group of young people, but also the synergy and cohesiveness of a group of Singaporeans. Here is a Singaporean community in microcosm - a group of young people of different races bound together by a shared purpose.

3. I am heartened to see young people exhibiting values associated with racial and religious harmony when they participate in school-based activities. Schools are instrumental in imbuing our young with the concept of social cohesiveness - of valuing their fellow citizens regardless of their race, language or religion.

4. In admitting pupils of different races and religions, our national schools provide our young with an invaluable experience of growing up together in a multi-racial society. At school, where they study and play together, our young foster friendships, cultivate emotional ties and develop a sense of commitment to one another as fellow citizens. It is also at school that they learn to appreciate and respect the common space that enables members of the different communities to get to know and understand each other. In preserving this common space, our young people will learn to stand together to fend off any divisive force that threatens to tear our society apart along the carefully interwoven seams of race and religion.

5. For Singapore, the harmonious interaction between peoples of diverse backgrounds has contributed greatly to the strengthening of our social fabric. However, when this solidarity among our people is disrupted, the ensuing suspicion and antagonism can drive a discordant wedge into our social compact, causing unspeakable damage to the peace and harmony of our nation. Bertrand Russell, a renowned philosopher, noted this:

6. Social cohesiveness, in particular, racial harmony is important to Singapore's stability and progress. The alternative to this would be a dangerous atmosphere of mutual hatred and suspicion amongst the different races, which could result in social unrest and racial riots. Numerous incidents throughout the history of the world attest to such tragic consequences. In fact, recent events at home, in the region and worldwide have also driven home the point that we cannot take social cohesiveness for granted. The onus is on each of us to uphold the racial and religious harmony that we have so painstakingly fostered over the years.

7. The strengthening of racial and religious harmony amongst our students in schools will go a long way to preserving and sustaining our social stability. It was for this purpose that the Committee on Strengthening Racial Harmony in Schools was formed in February last year. The Committee is made up of representatives from the Ministry of Education, schools, parent-support groups and the Community Development Councils. The objective is to promote broader and deeper inter-racial understanding and mixing in schools through school-level programmes and strategies.

8. I am pleased to note that our schools have done much to foster inter-racial understanding and mixing amongst students. At all our national schools, students of different races and religions go through a common curriculum, share a common experience of growing up, studying, playing, singing the national anthem, and reciting the pledge together. These are invaluable life experiences, that create the common space which help in building emotional ties, identification, and a sense of commitment to one another as fellow citizens.

9. One of the first activities organised by the Committee was the Racial Harmony Games Day held last year to mark Racial Harmony Day celebrations at the national level. The event was a success in that it helped to promote and strengthen inter-racial mixing among students through a series of enjoyable indoor and outdoor activities. In playing together and bonding with fellow participants of other races, students learn to understand and respect each other's cultural and religious heritage. This year, the Committee will be organizing the Racial Harmony Day of Music, Song and Dance for Racial Harmony Day. These events to promote racial harmony at the national level build on what schools have already achieved through their own efforts and activities. These events further remind our students and staff of the importance of bonding together despite our diverse backgrounds.

10. Without a doubt, social cohesion is achieved when individuals make a conscious effort to learn more about the cultures of other ethnic groups and to respect the differences. It is only when we draw strength from our own culture and religion and bond with our fellow Singaporeans in a united effort to chart a common destiny that we will identify with one another as one people and one nation.

11. Hence, to further promote racial harmony values, schools have continued to organise multi-cultural celebrations of ethnic festivals, such as Hari Raya, Deepavali and Chinese New Year. While these celebrations bring festive cheer and the much-appreciated break from school work, they have also given students an insight into one another's cultures and beliefs. I was impressed that students took to the learning of skills peculiar to specific racial groups with aplomb. It is now a typical sight to see students of another ethnic group picking up skills such as Chinese calligraphy or shufa, mooncake making, henna hand-painting, Indian kolam, batik painting, ketupat making and rattan weaving whereas, in the past, it would be more common to see students learning these skills because they have direct relevance to their own cultural heritage. And in some schools such as Telok Kurau Primary, Poi Ching Primary and Damai Secondary, the students' learning experience is enriched by the setting up of National Education or Heritage corners to showcase our rich, multi-cultural heritage.

12. Besides school-based activities, other stakeholders in education such as parents and the Community Development Councils have also broadened inter-racial mixing by participating in the home-stay or home visit programme. This programme gives students the opportunity to experience first-hand the lifestyle of another ethnic group. Currently, 19 schools are involved in this programme. In consciously putting in effort to make connections with fellow Singaporeans, to bond with each other in mind and spirit, we are all more able to realise the vision of a cohesive and vibrant Singapore society.

13. To complement our schools' and community's efforts in promoting social cohesion, the Committee on Strengthening Racial Harmony in Schools is launching the Racial Harmony (RH) website today. The website will provide an additional resource for schools to deepen inter-racial understanding amongst our students. The RH website supports and endorses one of the National Education messages: "we must preserve racial and religious harmony." It does this through stories, quizzes and games. The 'Opinion Forum' and 'Share a Story' pages will provide an avenue for students to share their opinions and experiences on racial harmony. There is also a repository of good practices to allow schools to share how they promote racial harmony.

14. Launching the RH website on Total Defence Day is significant because Racial Harmony is an essential aspect of Social Defence, which, in turn, is one of the five pillars of Total Defence. The theme for this year's Total Defence campaign, United We Stand, highlights the importance of our collective responses and commitment to stay united as a nation. It cannot be overstated that the key to our nation's survival, success and prosperity lie in our ability to preserve and maintain racial and religious harmony, and be one united people.

15. As one united people we also need to develop a spirit of caring for one another and of sharing with those who are less fortunate, regardless of race. In doing so, we will understand our obligations and responsibilities to our fellow Singaporeans. This will go a long way to building up a cohesive and vibrant Singapore society that is able to face the challenges of the future.