Good morning ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls

It is my pleasure to join you today for the Sembawang-Hong Kah CDC Seminar on Community Service.

2 Community service involvement is not just about engaging in a one-time activity or two. It is about nurturing a life-long attitude of compassion. It is about making one’s own sacrifices for the well-being of others who are in need. Inevitably, community service entails strong commitment and good stamina. Most of all compassion and commitment must be translated into action.

3. We live in an increasingly competitive world. Whilst the acquisition of knowledge and skills is vital for our economic success, it is not the be-all and end-all in life. We do not want to be super-workers without a soul. Those are called Robots. While our minds are focussed on achieving our tasks, our hearts must not be hardened to the needs and plight of the less fortunate among us.

 

4. The Ministry of Education recognises the importance of inculcating in our students the virtue of caring for the community. Education must nurture the whole child. What the child grows up to be will depend on his character, motivation and ability. An intelligent and talented child who cares only about his own interests and well-being has no place in society; for no man is an island unto himself.

 

5. Hence, the Community Involvement Programme (CIP) was introduced last year to encourage every student to spend a minimum of 6 hours per year in community work. I am pleased to know that many schools have been pro-active in involving their students in community service and that their areas of involvement have been wide-ranging: from adopting neighbourhood parks, welfare homes to seashore life and other environmental programmes. Amidst the diversity of programmes and activities, the common objective is to put the interests of others before self.

 

6. I am heartened to know that our grassroots organisations have taken the initiative to help schools realise this objective by involving them in their projects and activities. Schools are also encouraged to be pro-active in this area. Our students, for instance, can help out regularly at the community children’s library by telling stories to the children; or they can be involved in the Constituency Residents’ Day; or they can assist the neighbourhood children in their school work; and so on. The opportunities are endless. More importantly, these activities can help broaden the students’ horizon, expose them to different types of community work and the needs of others. Such collaborations will also foster a closer link between the school and the community.

 

7. It is noteworthy that the Sembawang-Hong Kah CDC has been supportive of the Government’s initiative and that they have formed a Community Service Advisory Panel to further this cause. Last year, the CDC also held its first Seminar on Community Service where experienced speakers and practitioners in the field delivered talks to inspire teachers and students on community service. In addition, it is good to note that the CDC is ready to provide the resources and funding required to carry out meaningful joint community projects and activities.

8 Two recent projects organised by the Sembawang-Hong Kah CDC have received good response from the schools. 120 students from four schools involved themselves in the Coastal Clean-Up by Canoe at the Sembawang Coast. This provided an opportunity for our students to be involved in a meaningful project as well as to interact with peers from other schools. Another joint project by the CDC and the Police Home Team saw 100 students from five schools participating in the Youth Camp, during which they learnt about security and safety issues.

9 For today’s Seminar, we are pleased to have Mr John Ang, a senior lecturer from the National University of Singapore and a renowned speaker in the field of social work, to give a talk on ‘Creativity in Community Service’. I hope that all of you will participate actively in the group discussions. Take this opportunity to share your ideas and suggestions on the types of projects and activities that schools can and will be able to collaborate with the CDC and the grassroots organisations.

10 I wish you all a fruitful and meaningful day. Thank you.