Mr Chua Thian Poh, Honorary President and Chairman of the Board of Governors of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan,
Mr Thomas Chua Kee Seng, President of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan and Chairman of the Affiliated Schools Management Committee,
Governors and Council Members, Teachers,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
1.Good evening! I am delighted to attend this year’s LEAP Award Presentation Ceremony. I just came from the President’s Award for Teachers ceremony. I am delighted to spend the whole of today celebrating teachers’ sacrifices and contributions. Tonight is the eve of Teachers’ Day, so I would like to take this opportunity to wish colleagues Happy Teachers’ Day!
2.For more than a century, the Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan and its six affiliated schools have nurtured generations of students and supported countless educators, leaving a lasting mark on our education landscape.
3.The LEAP Award, now in its 15th year, is a testament to the Huay Kuan’s commitment to championing education and supporting our teachers. My heartfelt appreciation and thanks to the Huay Kuan for your longstanding contributions.
LEAP Award 2026
4.Our children spend their formative years in school. During this period, our teachers work closely with our parents and the community to mould our students’ values, character and dispositions. These will stay with them through life.
5.There is a Confucian saying that aptly describes your role：“师者，人之模范也”. As teachers, you do more than impart academic knowledge. You also guide your students, teaching them important life skills and building up their soft skills to navigate life’s challenges. These qualities will become even more important in this rapidly changing and evolving world that we are preparing our students for.
6.Tonight, we honour some of our teachers who have gone above and beyond for their students.
7.As a Theatre Studies and Drama teacher, Mr Fazli Ahmad from Tampines Meridian Junior College created opportunities for students to take ownership of their learning, develop confidence, and be empathetic and responsible individuals. For example, he patiently cared for a student facing emotional and academic challenges. Over time, the student became more resilient and self-assured. Inspired by Mr Fazli’s mentorship, the student now aspires to become a teacher too. Congratulations to Fazli.
8.Ms Adeline Chew from Beatty Secondary School believes that every student deserves to be heard and valued. When she noticed that a student with hearing loss was struggling to grasp complex historical concepts, she designed specially-tailored learning aids for her. The student’s grasp of the subject improved, and so did her confidence to participate actively in class.
9.Ms Nurhidayah Binte Hamdan from Maitri School spares no effort to support her students with moderate to severe autism and intellectual disabilities. For example, she put together a set of personalised toolkits to help a student manage her emotions, and communicate more effectively and positively with others. Her student went on to receive the “Most Improved in Conduct Award”.
10.Thank you and congratulations to all the LEAP Award winners for believing so deeply in our students.
Closing
11.Before I close, let me say a few words in Mandarin. “善之本在教，教之本在师”。你们的工作，不仅是传授知识，更是塑造下一代的品格，点燃他们的好奇心，并以身作例，引导学生建立正确人生观、世界观与价值观。
12.除此之外，你们也是学生学习体验的“设计师”。你们用心了解每个学生的需求，让课堂变得更生动、更贴近生活，帮助学生在学习中培养批判性思维、沟通与团队协作能力等重要的21世纪技能。
13.科技的发展改变了我们的生活、工作与学习方式，但教师的重要性始终无可取代。教育不只是知识的传递，更是人与人之间的连结。就像今天的获奖老师所展现的，这份连结能让学生感到被重视，鼓励他们勇于探索，发挥自己的潜力。
14.“合抱之木，生于毫末”。虽然教育的成果未必立竿见影，但你们今天所种下的每一颗种子，终将在你们学生未来的人生中生根发芽，帮助他们茁壮成长。
15.As educators, you are the pillar of our education system and you mould the future of our nation. The work you do day in and day out has profound and lasting impact. Together with parents and communities, you help our students become lifelong learners, active contributors, and people of good character.
16.To our teachers, staff and principals, tonight is a celebration of all that you do. Thank you for your passion, care and commitment. Happy Teacher’s Day!