Mr Heng Swee Keat, Founding Chairman for Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism,
Board and Committee Members,
Colleagues,
Distinguished guests,
Ladies and gentlemen
1.Good morning. 大家早上好。Selamat pagi. Unggal Anaivarrukum Vanakkam.
2.It is wonderful to see so many friends of the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism here today, as we celebrate our 15th anniversary. The 10th Anniversary was also an important milestone, but if you recall, that was in the thick of the COVID pandemic. So on the 15th anniversary, we want to take this opportunity to recount the work of the last 15 years, the progress we have made, the struggles we have had to go through, the achievements of the whole community, and also, to thank everyone who contributed. I have faith in the good work of the Fund and the volunteers who have been supporting the Fund.
3.Indeed, the Fund has grown over the years, through the work of our past and present Board and Committee members, our donors, our partners in education and the media, and our grantees. To all of you: a very big thank you.
Why the Fund’s Work Matters
4.As the Tamil saying goes: “தாய்மொழி நம் அடையாளம்” “Thaay-mozhi Nam Adaiyaalam”: Mother Tongue is our identity.
5.English brings Singaporeans of different backgrounds together and connects us to the world. Our Mother Tongue Languages connect us to our culture, heritage and values. They anchor who we are as Singaporeans – a multicultural, multilingual people.
6.At the Mother Tongue Languages Symposium in August, I was struck by how strongly parents and educators value bilingualism.
7.Bilingualism has always been central to Singapore. Learning two languages from young sharpens the mind. You heard Mr Lee Kuan Yew’s in the video earlier – his conviction that if you expose children at a very early age to two languages, bilingualism is possible. It also opens a window into the values, histories and perspectives that each language carries.
8.And it is an asset for life. Singaporeans who can use two languages well are better able to build bridges across cultures and seize opportunities in a globalised world.
9.But the way we learn, and use languages is changing. AI and translation tools make languages easier to access. Many of us switch between languages in the same conversation – or even in the same sentence! And in many homes, we know that English is now the main language spoken.
10.So, we must keep finding new and innovative ways to make learning our Mother Tongue Languages relevant and engaging.
The Fund’s Key Achievements
11.Since it began, the Fund has committed close to $35 million to support nearly 290 projects – from workshops and performances to publications and multimedia resources. We have paid special attention to the early years, supporting high-quality, local resources that help young children build a strong foundation in English and their Mother Tongue Language.
12.Why the early years? As the Malay proverb goes ‘Melentur buluh biarlah dari rebungnya’: Let the bamboo take form while it is still a shoot.
13.The early years matter for language learning. And parents and grandparents play a very big part – through storytelling, songs and everyday conversations in and outside the home.
14.One way we support families is through our partnership with SPH Media on preschool publications – Thumbs Up Little Junior, Cilik Cerdik and Balar Murasu. These reach children in MOE Kindergartens, Anchor Operator preschools, and preschools run by Social Service Agencies.
15.I am therefore glad to announce that from 2027, these publications will be made available to all preschoolers. Because every child should have good Mother Tongue Language materials from an early age. This will help them, their parents, families, and preschool teachers as well.
16.To help parents make language learning part of family life, we will also launch two new mobile apps – for Cilik Cerdik and Balar Murasu – in English and the respective Mother Tongue Language. They will join the existing Thumbs Up Little Junior app, with more resources for parents and children to learn together at home. They will join the existing Thumbs Up Little Junior app with more resources for parents and children to learn together at home. We had a preview some time back as the apps were being developed, and it’s really engaging. The apps open up access to the printed version and has activities that you can use to engage your children and grandchildren in the Mother Tongue.
17.As children grow, how we engage them must change too. So, since 2024, the Fund has reached out to youth and young adults, working with institutes of higher learning, community organisations, and content creators who connect with younger Singaporeans.
18.The idea is simple: meet young people where they are, encourage them to use their Mother Tongue Languages, and help them see bilingualism as a real advantage.
19.Our emcees, Mr Das, Ms Jesslyn, and Ms Ava are great examples. Being an emcee on stage is really stressful, but it was encouraging to see them speak in all three mother tongue languages and English. Das has made multilingualism visible and celebrated among young people. I am confident that the other two young emcees will also become champions of languages. And you saw how our student emcees moved confidently across three languages, without having to drink from a magical cup!
20.I hope bilingualism will continue to thrive as a living, everyday practice. We know it is getting more challenging as more families speak English at home. But we must redouble our efforts for bilingualism to be rooted in Singapore. Later, graduates from Temasek Polytechnic’s School of Design will bring this to life through their work – from stories of the Mama Shop to other everyday tales. They remind us that bilingualism is not just a skill to learn, but a vibrant part of who we are as Singaporeans
Looking Forward
21.In his book, “My Lifelong Challenge: Singapore’s Bilingual Journey”, Mr Lee Kuan Yew described language policy as a never-ending journey. So too is the work of the Fund’s and all who have made common cause with us, participating and tapping on the Fund to champion the mother tongue languages.
22.As the Chinese saying goes, 育人不靠个人之力，必须家庭、学校、社会同心: Nurturing a child is never a solitary effort; it requires families, schools, and society to work together.
23.The Fund will keep working closely with MOE, MCCY, our Language Councils and community partners. We will make good use of technology, deepen our partnerships, and strengthen support for bilingualism. We will continue to have an open call for people who wish to support this cause. Please reach out to us. We will be happy to connect and see how to support you, so that you become partners in this lifelong endeavour.
24.We are confident that by working together, growing the pool of partners, we will continue to nurture confident bilingual Singaporeans for generations to come. Happy 15th anniversary!
25.Thank you very much. 谢谢大家。Terima kasih. Mikka Nandri.