Speech by the Minister for Education, Desmond Lee, at the MOE Scholarship Ceremony 2026

Colleagues
Scholarship and Award Recipients
Ladies and Gentlemen,

1. I would like to start by congratulating all 206 of our scholarship and award recipients¹. Well done and welcome to the ceremony!

Importance of Our Educators

2. Many of you are aspiring teachers. Some of you will join us as academics and researchers in our Institutes of Higher Learning, but all of you are entering deeply meaningful professions that will mould our nation's future.

1. You will shape not only what students know, but also the values they live by.

3. You will be joining us at a time when the world is changing so rapidly and unpredictably.

1. There will be risks to manage, but also opportunities that we should seize. As educators that is a mission you undertake.

4. You will be at the heart of our response. For Singapore, our people are our greatest strength and our only asset.

1. We must therefore prepare them for tomorrow's world, from our schools all the way to our Institutes of Higher Learning.

5. Knowledge and facts alone will not be enough. We need to nurture the human qualities that matter for success and are not easily replaced by technology.

1. For example, skillsets like critical thinking, communication, teamwork, resilience, judgement, empathy, and wisdom.
2. At the same time, we also nurture joy in learning, curiosity and adaptability, so our students keep growing, as the workplace keeps evolving and changing.
3. In the coming years, we will strengthen our education system, by exploring how we can encourage all of us – parents, students, and teachers – not to overly emphasise academic grades for their own sake, and to study how we can place greater focus on holistic development of our children.

6. As part of our education fraternity, you will be on the front-lines of these efforts.

1. You will carry the responsibility of teaching, mentoring and nurturing. So, the road will not always be easy.
2. Yet your impact will be felt in every student. A small moment or everyday act of role-modelling can make a greater difference than you might realise.

7. One example is Mr Iskhandar Abdul Talib from Yuying Secondary. He was the teacher-in-charge of his school's Sepak Takraw team. When the team suddenly lost its coach before a major competition, he stepped up despite having no experience in the sport. He learned alongside his students. He used AI-enabled video analysis and gamified drills, and he modelled adaptability and resilience as an educator.

1. His story reminds us that you need not have all the answers to role-model courage and inspire others.

8. Our academics and researchers likewise help Singapore address local and global challenges, particularly in applied research. By creating new knowledge and possibilities, you help our country thrive in a changing world.

1. Assistant Professor Mervin Ang did research on nanosensor, which could support smarter decisions in food production and healthcare, is one good example. Today, he receives an Inauguration Grant. Congratulations to Mervin!

Supporting Our Teachers, Academics, and Researchers

9. As you shoulder these responsibilities, let me assure you that you will not walk this journey alone.

1. Each of you has been inspired by role models — parents, grandparents, teachers and mentors, many of whom are here today. Continue to seek their advice; I am sure they will give it to you generously. You just need to ask.
2. You will also have the support of new mentors, whether in NIE for our teachers, or in our universities for our academics and researchers.
3. So build strong friendships with peers you can lean on for advice, shared learning and encouragement.

10. MOE, NIE, our universities and schools will support your development wholeheartedly.

1. We will provide professional development opportunities to deepen your expertise and allow you to stay up-to-date and cutting-edge.
2. We will offer meaningful career pathways that reflect your aspirations and strengths — in teaching, leadership, or basic and applied research.
3. And we will continue to see how we can improve our systems. For example:
   1. To manage issues such as teacher workload so that you can focus your time and energy, and put your heart where it matters most;
   2. And recruiting more to join us in this meaningful work.

11. I am encouraged that applications from aspiring teachers have risen by around 7% this year. We will continue building a strong education corps, enriched by teachers with diverse strengths and experiences.

Conclusion

12. Let me congratulate all of you once again as you begin this exciting journey. Thank you for choosing these meaningful vocations.

13. Thank you.

Footnotes

1. 185 are aspiring teachers, while 21 are aspiring academics and researchers.