Mr Chua Kee Seng Thomas, President of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan and Chairman of the Affiliated Schools Management Committee,
Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan Board of Governors and Council Members,
Fellow educators,
A very good afternoon to all.
1. I am delighted to join you here at the 14th LEAP Award Presentation Ceremony. Being exactly one week away from Teachers' Day, I wish all our educators a very Happy Teachers' Day. Today, we celebrate the teachers who go the extra mile – those who listen with their hearts, mentor with wisdom, and transform young lives through unfaltering support.
2. The LEAP Award, launched by the late former President S R Nathan in 2011, reflects Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan's commitment towards education. As the Chinese saying goes "十年树木，百年树人": it takes a decade to grow trees, but a century to nurture character in people. For 185 years, Hokkien Huay Kuan has supported Singapore's development by championing education. During the post-war years when resources were scarce, community groups like the Hokkien Huay Kuan stepped forward to uplift the community and help families send their children to school. This legacy continues today through your stewardship of six schools, including Nan Chiau High School where we are gathered today.
3. I would like to thank the Hokkien Huay Kuan for your longstanding contributions to society, especially your firm and unstinting dedication to supporting the important cause of education as well as promoting Chinese language and culture in Singapore.
LEAP Award 2025
4. In conjunction with Hokkien Huay Kuan's 185th anniversary, the LEAP Award has been expanded to include a new category for junior college teachers.
5. This year, the LEAP Award received 329 nominations from 198 schools across Singapore. An unenviable task for the judges. Of the 20 teachers who have emerged as this year's award recipients, 13 of them come from schools that are receiving this award for the first time.
6. Some of the recipients today embody the Chinese saying "师者，所以传道授业解惑也", which roughly translates to "a teacher is one who propagates the truth, imparts life skills and knowledge, and clarifies doubts". Indeed, our teachers go beyond imparting knowledge and skills, they are also mentors, cheerleaders, shapers of values, counsellors and some say treasure hunters, who unlock the potential of their students.
- We saw on the video Mr Prinya Lovajana. He is a history teacher at St Andrew's Secondary School. His love for history I'm told inspired him to volunteer as a Silver Generation Ambassador, where he made friends with many of our seniors. They shared with him first-hand stories from Singapore's past. He revelled in them, was inspired by them, and he weaved them into his lessons. Seeing how these personal stories captivated his students brought history alive. Mr Lovajana started a history forum for students to interview senior residents in Potong Pasir about their lived experiences in the 1960s and '70s. What began as an oral history project blossomed into something far more meaningful – students started helping these seniors with daily tasks and delivering essential items to them. This initiative by Mr Lovajana has done more than just bridge the generation gap. It has fostered enduring bonds between the school and the community around it, while instilling empathy and compassion in our students.
- The second teacher that I want to mention today is at APSN Katong School. Ms Bhuvaneswari sees possibilities where others might see limitations. Working with students with special needs isn't just her profession – it's her calling in life. She teaches them essential life skills and builds their independence step by step. She also enhanced the school newsletter to give students a platform to express themselves and be heard. As the teacher-in-charge of the Show Choir CCA, Ms Bhuvaneswari nurtures her students with encouragement, allowing them to gain confidence and shine on national stages, demonstrating that every child can flourish given the right support and opportunities.
- And finally, Mr Ding Gong Yi, an economics teacher at Anglo-Chinese Junior College, brings his classes to life in the form of virtual escape rooms and interactive games. But he also seeks to give his students learning experiences grounded in the real world. As teacher-in-charge of both the Interact Club and Overseas Community Involvement Project (OCIP), Mr Ding creates meaningful service-learning opportunities for his students to see the world and to give back.
7. The video we just watched illustrates why all 20 teachers and educators stand out. But the 20 of you represent the many many educators across our island who go above and beyond their call of duty. To our 20 LEAP Award recipients – your steadfast passion and conviction inspires us all.
8. Our educators will always be the backbone of our education system. Through the decades, we have built a committed and high-quality teaching force to ensure every child can realise their full potential, regardless of their starting point. We know how important this is for Singapore. We want to continue to attract more individuals who share in this commitment and passion to nurture our children and grow our fraternity. MOE will continue to empower the teaching profession, such as strengthening our educators' well-being and investing in your professional development, so that they can thrive and do their best in raising a happy, confident and kind generation.
Conclusion
9. Looking ahead, we have to prepare our students for a very different world, but I am confident that with educators like you leading the way forward, our education system will continue to adapt, innovate, and excel. Thank you for believing in every student's potential and nurturing them to be the best version of themselves.
10. There's a Chinese saying, "一日为师，终生为父". On this note, I want to wish all our teachers a Happy Teachers' Day in advance, and congratulations to the Hokkien Huay Kuan for your 185th anniversary!
11. Thank you.