Good morning

Mrs Kiang-Koh Lai Lin, Director, Reading Initiatives, National Library Board

Guests

Colleagues

Ladies and Gentlemen

Boys and Girls

1.                  It gives me great pleasure to be with you here for the launch of Learn@TheLibrary. This is the eighth event organised by MOE in the annual Learn@ series.

2.                  The Learn@ series provides you with opportunities to venture beyond your classroom and explore ICT for authentic thematic learning.  Your learning will be enhanced from the rich outdoor learning experiences created for this event.

3.                  I note that this year’s theme “Ties that Bind” is the same as the theme for READ! Singapore 2007. This is an important theme. We live in a multi-racial, multi-cultural society.  We must learn to live, learn and love one another as one nation. Respect for each other’s diverse cultures and the bonding that follows from respect is critical to deepening the harmony we enjoy today.

4.                  We need to develop this bonding with one another from young. The ties you form today will see you through your adolescence and beyond, from classroom to the boardroom one day. Learn@TheLibrary provides you with the opportunity to interact and build relationships with one another. These ties can be further strengthened through reading as you discover the wonder and beauty of one another’s culture and tradition from the books.   I have been told that other than the whole slew of activities planned for READ! Singapore 2007, selected books in line with today’s theme have also been identified for your reading.   

5.                  To cultivate the habit of reading amongst our students, the National Library Board has partnered schools to introduce reading programmes to develop a healthy interest in reading.  I am pleased to note that Paya Lebar Methodist Girls’ School has collaborated with NLB to infuse library skills into the school curriculum. Under this programme, students from Primary 1 to Primary 6 are taught a full range of library skills.  Some of these skills are fundamental to developing strong research ability in future. I encourage such collaborations as they not only expand your repertoire of skills but also make learning more interesting and engaging.

6.                  I am very happy to note that, joining us today, are students from some of the special education schools: Canossian, Chaoyang, Grace Orchard, Metta and Pathlight Schools.  Indeed, “Ties that Bind” is the key to an inclusive society where every citizen counts.  We welcome your participation and look forward to interacting with you.

7.                  I am confident that Learn@TheLibrary will give you a better understanding of what binds Singaporeans together and what makes us uniquely Singaporean. It will also provide you with the opportunity to pit your ICT skills against one another through exciting competition. 

8.                  I congratulate the organisers from MOE and NLB for your efforts in organising this event. Together, you play a significant role in placing within easy reach of our students, a wealth of knowledge and information.

9.                  I would also like to thank iCELL Private Limited for sponsoring the event by providing wireless technology.  I also thank the teachers who are out in full force to support and facilitate your students’ learning.  Finally, to the students, I wish you a fulfilling, fruitful and enjoyable experience.

10.             Thank you.