Media Division, Ministry of Information and The Arts, 36th Storey, PSA Building, 460 Alexandra Road, Singapore 119963. Tel: 3757794/5

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SPEECH BY MR MOHAMAD MAIDIN BIN PACKER MOHD, PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY FOR EDUCATION AND MP FOR MARINE PARADE GRC AT THE CCC-ITE BURSARY PRESENTATION CEREMONY ON THURSDAY, 27 MARCH 1997 AT KAMPONG UBI COMMUNITY CENTRE AT 8.00 PM

Friends, parents and students :

I am happy to be here with you for the CCC-ITE Bursary Presentation Ceremony. This evening, 13 ITE students living in Kampong Ubi will be receiving the Bursary. I congratulate all the recipients, and their parents, on their fine achievement.

2 The CCC-ITE Bursary is awarded to ITE students whose monthly family income is $1,500 or less. The scheme aims to keep technical training affordable and attractive to Singaporeans, particularly those in the lower income group. It is to encourage students from less well-off families to join and excel in ITE, instead of joining the workforce. The Government realises that as the global economy enters a more technology-intensive phase, technical education becomes increasingly important in gaining a competitive edge. Singapore in future will depend a lot on technically-trained and skilled people to bring the country to greater heights.

3 In line with the Government's effort to foster community spirit and self-help, the CCC-ITE Bursary is implemented and co-funded by the Citizens' Consultative Committee. The Committee's share of the Bursary is 25%.

4 Friends, parents and students. I would like to emphasize that the CCC-ITE Bursary is one of many bursary and scholarship schemes introduced by the Government to help the less well-off families to do better and improve their standard of living, thereby closing the income gap of Singapore families. The Government strongly believes that with much encouragement and support to our children, they will perform better in their studies. With better knowledge and skills our children will be able to find good jobs, and in turn, they can give themselves and their parents a higher standard of living. The Bursaries and scholarships are awarded, therefore, with the hope that those from the lower and lower-middle income groups can upgrade themselves from one generation to another. I am pleased to announce that in 1995, $140,550 worth of bursaries were presented to 705 students living in Kampong Ubi, and in 1996, $261,600 worth of bursaries and scholarships were presented to 983 students living in Kampong Ubi.

5 On this note, I congratulate once again students and parents and wish you continued success in the years ahead.