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’ PRESS RELEASE ------1 1 formation Division, Ministry of Communications & Information, City Hall, Singapore 0617 • Tel. 3307269 / 3307270 / 3307271

Release No: 81/AT” 03-1/85/08/31

SPEECH BY DR YBO NING HONG, MINISTER FOR COMMUNICATIONS AND INFORMATION AND SECOND MINISTER FOR DEFENCE AT THE SCHOOL CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS AT SHANGRILA HOTEL ON SATURDAY 31 AUGUST 1985 AT 7.30 PM______

A hundred years ago, 1885, Mr Gan Eng Seng, a local businessman and philantropist, started classes in some shophouses in . It was an event of great importance. Education then was not easily available to the local children. It was highly treasured. The few schools around were either Government Schools or Mission Schools run by Churches catering for a select few. Our school was originally called Anglo Chinese Pree School - a very descriptive and prescriptive name.

In its early days, our school was the only school founded by a Chinese, teaching boys in both Chinese and English. Bilingualism was appreciated even in those early days of our history.

The founding of a school is like the planting of a seed - its survival and future is at best uncertain. It required constant nurturing and support by the community around it. Fortunately, for our school, such support from the community was forthcoming. Three years after its founding, it became an aided school and shortly after was given land by the Colonial Government for a new building. The Colonial Governor himself opened the new building in 1893, and the school was renamed Gan Eng Seng School. But half a century has to pass before the school was accepted as a Government School in 1938. Thereafter it enjoyed a more secure future. Perseverance was a virtue that sustained our school in its early days. Perseverance is a virtue that we in present day Singapore also must continue to possess.

A hundred years ago, starting classes in shophouses was an event of great moment and significance. Today, community centres, NTOC childcare centres and constituency educational centres start classes all the time, ranging from kindergartens and BEST classes to courses in computers and business management. Today, new schools with well equipped classrooms and lecture theatres, featuring the latest in modern educational facilities spring up with regularity throughout the island. The uneventful manner with which we accord such occasions is itself a measure of the progress that we have made. It is also a measure of the success of the seeds planted way back in our history with generation after-generation of students contributing successfully to our society after their graduation. Fortunately, this success has not eroded the high value that our Asian Society has placed upon education. Education continues to be treasured. But it is a treasure that is freely available to all in our society.

Our present educational system incorporates a balanced approach. On the one hand we give our children the latest skills and knowledge to enable them to earn their keeps, and make a contribution to the continued prosperity of the nation. On the other, we imbue our children with the traditional values, morals, and attitudes that call for discipline, perserverance, fortitude, sacrifice, and a commitment to the community so that prosperity can be shared by one and all. As parents, teachers, and principals, we must give our total support to this balanced education.

In addition to giving a balanced education to our children, what else can we do for our students? I believe old boys and girls can make a special contribution in the 3

areas of motivation and inspiration of our future generations. There are numerous ways in which this can be done. Let me illustrate.

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Old boys and girls can go back to their schools and help as advisors to societies and clubs in which their present professional expertise is of relevance. For example, if an eminent scientist at the NUS or in some private or public organization were to I be an advisor to the school science club, the impact on the morale and motivation of the club members would be immense, particularly to those aspiring to be scientists. The students would have the opportunity of meeting with, hearing and talking with someone who has first hand knowledge and experience at the frontiers of science. Of course, the scientist can share his knowledge and give his assistance to the students' activities and projects. But more importantly the presence of someone successful in the students' midst, helping and stimulating them will be an immense inspiration for young minds. Similarly too the eminent surgeon, who is an old boy or girl, would provide inspiration for pre-medical students. So too, the successful actor or actress from SBC for the drama club, engineer, computer specialist, or senior SAP officer for their respective club or group. The knowledge that the successful professional was once a student like them in the same school, sitting at the particular desk in a particular class and going to the same tuckshop as they, would give students added confidence to believe that If those who had been through the school before them can make it, so too can they, the present generation of students.

Of course, old boys and girls who are successful, are also busy people. Furthermore, many are too modest to offer themselves to their old schools. But I am sure if our schools take the initiative of inviting them, many of our professionals would be willing to sacrifice a little of their tine and contribute to helping the present generation Of students. In this way, the historical linkage between past and present students would be strengthened, and the tradition of service to one's old school established and handed down, from one generation of students to another.

Porner students with less time may also help in another way, namely to give talks about their work and career to younger students. They may even talk about their hobbies and community activities. The fact that the speaker is an old boy or girl provides a special bond between the present students and the speaker. All in all, old boys and girls can act as special role models for the younger students. There are of course other ways in which old students can contribute to our school. Whatever these may be, old students returning to their old school will increase closeness and rapport with the school, and provide for themselves and their schools a link with their historical past. This link would enhance also the old students' contribution to society, beyond the practice of their professions. It will also provide the present generation of students with knowledge and insight into the real working world of adults, and motivate and inspire our children to greater achievements and greater contributions to the community that nurtures them. This way, we can further contribute to achieving our vision of a society with a high level of economic development, and a people having values and attitudes that embody the social graces and community spirit.

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