Speech by Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Minister for Education and Second Minister for Finance, at the 2007 National Day Observance Ceremony at MOE HQ on Wednesday, 8 August 2007 at 9.30 am

SPEECH BY MR THARMAN SHANMUGARATNAM, MINISTER FOR EDUCATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR FINANCE, AT THE 2007 NATIONAL DAY OBSERVANCE CEREMONY AT MOE HQ ON WEDNESDAY, 8 AUGUST 2007 AT 9.30 AM

1. Tomorrow we celebrate National Day. On Singapore’s 42nd National Day, we can be proud that together, we have made ourselves one united people. We have also built a strong and vibrant economy. Singapore today is buzzing with opportunities for everyone, and provides good jobs for all its citizens.

A CITY THAT LIVES BY INNOVATION
2. The future holds much promise for young Singaporeans. We will face increasing competition, as other cities in Asia keep improving themselves, and in some areas exceed what we have achieved in Singapore. But it is entirely within ourselves to meet these challenges, and move ahead. By equipping ourselves with the right skills and attitudes of mind, we can remain a unique city, a city that survives and stays ahead by innovating.

3. We have to be a people who imagine new possibilities and venture into new and diverse activities, not just stick to what we have done before. We must be willing to learn from everyone around us, and learn ceaselessly. A society where young and old look forward to learning something new, and enjoy picking up new ideas and skills or just tinkering with new technologies. And we have to uphold a culture of excellence among Singaporeans, where everyone strives to do the job better, regardless of what they do.

4. If Singaporeans are equipped with these skills and attitudes, we will surely do well as a nation for decades to come. We will remain an exceptional city.

A PATH FOR EVERY TALENT
5. Our task in MOE, and in our schools and tertiary institutions, is to help every young Singaporean to discover his interests, and to aspire to take his abilities far. Every child has an interest to be discovered, and an ability to be nurtured, whether through his studies, CCAs, hobbies, or opportunities to be involved in the community. We must encourage all our students, not just those who are at the top of each field, to develop their talents to the maximum, and give them opportunity to discover what they enjoy.

6. That’s how we get a city that lives by innovation - when everyone takes pride in his own abilities, enjoys what he does, keeps looking for ways to do it differently and better, and keeps learning.

7. This is why we are recognising more talents in education, and creating many diverse paths, many niches of excellence dotted around the island, and many customised programmes within schools to meet all abilities. Whichever path a student takes, whether academically-focused or practice-based, we will make sure that it is well-resourced. We will also ensure that students have the flexibility to bridge over to other paths, and never feel constrained in their aspirations by the paths they take.

A HOME TO CALL OUR OWN
8. Many top companies worldwide try to attract young Singaporeans with attractive scholarships, high salaries and exciting work opportunities. This is a good thing because it shows that Singaporeans are highly valued and well sought after. But while there can be many places abroad to study and work, there is only one place we call home. Home is where we grow up, where we have our family and friends, where we dream our dreams, and where we hold our fondest memories. So while we make the most of opportunities abroad, let’s stay connected to our home.

9. We have to provide maximum opportunity for young Singaporeans to interact and make friends in school, and encourage them to keep their friendships after they leave school. I hope too that they will remember the care and dedication of their teachers, and the opportunities that the school provided for them as they grew up.

10. Just like a tree with many branches spreading out wide, young Singaporeans are pursuing many interests and aspirations. But just as the branches remain connected to the tree, we too, remain connected to each other. We are united in one common destiny in this small nation of ours.

11. It is a destiny that everyone has a part to play in shaping - through what we learn, through the excellence we all strive for in whatever we do, and through our efforts to create friendships with one another.

12. Singapore is our home. Through our efforts and our ingenuity, let’s make it even better.

CONCLUSION
13. The theme for this year’s National Day Parade is “Celebrate Singapore: City of Possibilities”. Together, as one people, we can look forward to a bright future, a more vibrant Singapore and a city of possibilities limited only by our own imagination.