Speech by RAdm (NS) Lui Tuck Yew, Minister of State, Ministry of Education, at the Launch of The East Zone Centre of Excellence for National Education at Telok Kurau Primary School on Monday, 6 August, at 3.00 pm

SPEECH BY RADM (NS) LUI TUCK YEW, MINISTER OF STATE, MINISTRY OF EDUCATION, AT THE LAUNCH OF THE EAST ZONE CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE FOR NATIONAL EDUCATION AT TELOK KURAU PRIMARY SCHOOL ON MONDAY, 6 AUGUST, AT 3.00 PM

Mr Gan Chin Huat,
Deputy Director Schools East

Introduction
1. I am heartened to be here today at the official opening of the East Zone Centre of Excellence for National Education (COE NE).

2. While the physical premises of the East Zone COE NE reside in Telok Kurau Primary School, its vision of building active citizenry belongs to everyone. I thus encourage all schools to work with one mind to make NE meaningful.

Continued Relevance of National Education (NE)
3. NE was first mooted in 1997 by then-Prime Minister Mr Goh Chok Tong. It was aimed towards developing national cohesion, honing our instincts for survival, and fostering our confidence in the future.

4. Since 1997, developments in the local and global arenas have changed many things. Globalisation has put pressure on our social fabric, while our vigilance and defence are being put to the test by threats like the Asian Economic Crisis and terrorism. With these developments come a heightened need for Singaporeans to stay resilient, have a robust sense of nationhood and the determination to stay united as one people.

5. Recently, I led a committee tasked with carrying out the NE Review. The review affirmed that NE is important in our education system. Our young ones did not go through the challenging times of post-war nation-building and might not be able to appreciate the struggles and hardship the nation went through then. As educators, we therefore have the responsibility to provide platforms like NE for them to learn about our country, our shared history and our common heritage and to develop a love for our nation. They must know and affirm the Singapore story.

6. NE today is also focused on engaging and empowering our students to make a positive difference to society, while cultivating in them a sense of belonging and emotional rootedness to Singapore. Our students must understand what it means to be Singaporean and how they ought to work as one people to meet the challenges our nation face. As they become better educated, they will have opportunities to study and work, some for extended periods, outside Singapore. Provided the roots are deep and His homing instincts strong, we can take the boy out of the country, but we will never take the country out of the boy.

The NE framework
7. The ‘Head, Heart and Hands’ framework was recommended for NE as we seek to engage the ‘head, heart and hands’ of the citizens of Singapore.

8. We engage the “head” by encouraging our students to be actively involved in their own learning. Students’ “hearts” are engaged when they connect emotionally with the Singapore story and when we engage their “hands”, students have the opportunity to give back to society. This is a holistic and wholesome approach to NE.

9. I am glad to see that the East Zone COE (NE) has adopted the “Head, Heart, Hands” approach in promoting national education. It is also my desire for all Principals and NE Co-ordinators who are here today to use the same approach when providing the necessary directions to engage your charges in meaningful interactions.

East Zone COE NE
10. The East Zone COE’s vision of “an engaged community, working in partnership for active citizenry” recognises that every one of us should be involved in NE efforts and be excited about being a Singaporean. In this respect, the COE NE could potentially synergise the efforts of schools to foster deep understanding and meaningful implementation of NE initiatives. NE for the COE works by scaffolding the engagement process. Educators will build on the learning acquired by the students in their earlier stages of education.

11. I understand that educators can look out for NE resource packages, sharing of NE best practices, overseas attachment for “global” learning, platforms for dialogue and a repository of NE best practices of schools in the Zone. Students, meanwhile, would be given the opportunity to be NE Ambassadors and they can look forward to local and overseas Service Learning experiences and exchange programmes with international schools. These experiences would help them internalise what they see, hear and do, thereby creating a greater impact on their lives.

12. There will also be a higher level of collaboration and engagement with the government, community groups and other educational institutions. The COE will endeavour to involve different stakeholders in NE activities.

Conclusion
13. In closing, I warmly congratulate the members of the East Zone COE NE Steering and Working Committees, and the staff of the East Zone schools, for the launch of your very own Centre of Excellence for National Education. Continue the good work you have begun to nurture the next generation of citizens who will be global in outlook but rooted in Singapore.