Mr Danapal Kumar, President of the Singapore Tamil Teachers’ Union (STTU),
Mr Anbarasu, CEO, Singapore Indian Development Association (SINDA),
Fellow educators,
Brothers and sisters from the various unions,
Community partners and supporters of Tamil Language and Mother Tongue Languages,
1.Vanakkam!
2.I am happy to be here tonight to celebrate our Tamil Language teachers, and be joined by so many of you in affirming and appreciating our teachers.
3.In Singapore, mother tongues are vital to the preservation of our heritage, as well as the values and culture of our communities. Mastering more than one language is no easy feat, and our Mother Tongue Language teachers play an integral role in helping our students learn and use their mother tongue as a living language, both within and beyond the classroom. It is not an easy task, as many of our young children do not use their mother tongue at home and in social settings.
4.Our Tamil teachers have continually pushed themselves to new heights, constantly developing their skills and making language learning an enjoyable experience for our students. Their wholehearted support has spurred our students to become confident learners, and I hope our teachers will continue to inspire a love for the language in our students.
5.To build our nation’s shared future, the unions are a key partner of MOE and the community. For example, STTU serves as the secretariat for the World Tamil Teachers Council and facilitates biannual World Tamil teachers’ conferences, providing Tamil Language teachers with opportunities to exchange ideas on teaching and learning pedagogies with the global Tamil community. I know that we have a small community, but you are making a huge impact on the global stage.
6.I am also heartened to learn that STTU has organised mental wellness workshops to support our teachers’ well-being, while partnering various organisations such as SINDA, the Little India Shop Owners and Heritage Association (LISHA), the Tamils Representative Council, and the Singapore Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (SICCI) to provide platforms for our teachers to engage in authentic learning of the Tamil Language.
7.As the saying goes, it takes a village to raise a child. Language learning is likewise a whole-of-society effort, and I encourage families and community organisations to work hand-in-hand in ensuring the continuous growth and vitality of this beautiful language in Singapore.
8.I applaud our Tamil teachers, as well as all the educators here today, for making language learning joyful and enriching for our children. I believe this is how we can make the language alive and thrive in Singapore. When asked how we can encourage our children to embrace their mother tongue, the answer lies with you, our dedicated educators, by making the language learning process joyful and meaningful for our children. On this note, I wish all of you a Happy Teachers’ Day! Aasiriyar Thinna Valthukal.
9.Nandri.