Mr Hawazi Daipi,

Senior Parliamentary Secretary

Mr Ang Wee Hiong,

Chairman, Singapore Schools Sports Council

Mrs Tan Peng Eng,

Chairman, Singapore Primary Schools Sports Council

Ladies and Gentlemen

1.                  I would like to begin by congratulating our Primary and Secondary Schools Sports Councils for another fruitful year.  The efforts of the two councils have extended well beyond the inter-school competitions, to cover other areas like sports promotion and education.

2.                  Each year, the two Schools Sports Councils organize 25 competitions for Secondary Schools and Junior Colleges, and 18 competitions for Primary Schools.  In 2004, the competitions organized by the councils involved 52,600 pupils, a healthy increase of approximately 1000 pupils from the previous year.  The two Councils of principals have also been playing an increasingly important role in providing varied sporting experiences for pupils who do not take sports CCAs.  Their efforts have helped broaden the educational experience of our students.

SPORTS IN EDUCATION

3.                  Sports, and the range of other physically challenging activities that we expose our students to, are integral to the education we provide.  Their role goes beyond developing fitness and athletic and games skills.  Taken from young, they also help nurture a certain mental toughness, resilience and the spirit of teams.

4.                  As PM Lee said at the last National Day Rally, “Sports isn't just medals.  It's doing our best, trying, trying again, overcoming setbacks, depending on each other, being part of Team Singapore".

5.                  Today I am pleased to announce the launch of the manual ‘Mental Skills for Peak Performance’.  CCAB in collaboration with NIE have come up with a manual which schools can use to equip their pupils with greater awareness of this trait.

6.                  Our PE curriculum provides the foundation for developing physical agility and sporting skills amongst pupils during curriculum time.  MOE (CPDD) has reminded schools in a circular in September last year that the PE programme should be planned and structured to provide students with opportunities to participate in a wide variety of physical activities.  PE should not be overly geared to preparing for the NAPFA tests.  It should encourage students to acquire basic sports skills.  With the habit of playing sports instilled when young, our students are more likely to keep up with games when they leave school.

7.                  We have also sought to give as many pupils as possible the opportunity to participate in and enjoy CCAs involving sports and other physically rigorous activities, even as they strive to achieve in other CCAs that they are interested in.  Sports should not just be for those with a talent for them.

8.                  The criteria for the Sustained Achievement Awards (SAAs) in Sports, the Aesthetics and Uniformed Groups has been broadened to capture the breadth of student participation, besides the school’s achievements in interschool competitions.  (As announced last year, this will be implemented from 2005.)  For schools to be eligible for the SAAs, they must now have a quarter of their school population participate in the area of the award.  The criteria for Achievement Awards in sports have also been revised to recognize schools’ sporting achievements not only in the National competitions, but also at the Zone level.

9.                  To encourage more participation in sports and rugged activities, we also set up Sports Development Committee (SDC) under each Zone Schools Sports Council last year.  I am happy to report that these committees have come up with a variety of strategies to give more exposure to pupils not involved in interschool sports competitions.

10.             As one of its strategies to increase sports participation within schools, the North Zone Primary Schools Sports Council set aside funds that schools can use to organize fun activities for pupils not representing their schools in sports.  To date, 35 schools have applied for these funds to engage their pupils in 15 different types of games.  In another approach, the East Zone Schools Sports Council funded a sports carnival to introduce sports basics to pupils not involved in UG or Sports CCAs in 17 schools.  These are just some of the ways that our Zonal SDCs have been working on to spark greater participation in sports and rugged activities.  In 2004, about 11,700 primary school pupils, and 700 secondary school pupils benefited from the activities organised by the SDCs.

11.             We have also seen more parents volunteering their help in sports.  The Ballpark Project, piloted in some schools last year, has seen parents teaching sports skills to pupils in a friendly and carnival-like atmosphere.  The pilot scheme showed an increase in sports participation in several schools.  One of the pilot schools, Si Ling Primary, had parents teaching soccer skills last year.  This year, Si Ling Primary has extended their project to include a second sport, badminton.  They have scheduled these activities every Saturday morning.

BROADENING THE CCA LANDSCAPE IN SCHOOLS

12.             In the past year, CCAB has been working on broadening the CCA landscape in our schools.  Following the recognition of Student-Initiated Activities (SiAs) in the CCA framework from last year, there are already 221 such activities, including service learning and special interest groups.  The majority of these SiAs have focused on sports and rugged activities.  In VJC alone, there are 37 SiAs.

13.             In line with this broadening of the CCA landscape, Wushu will be included in the Singapore Schools Sports Councils’ Inter-School Games Calendar from 2005.  Wushu has grown in popularity over the years, with more schools offering it as a core CCA.  The inclusion of Wushu in the inter-school competition calendar is likely to encourage more school-level competition, thereby adding more variety to the experiences of pupils.  It will also allow our top Wushu exponents in schools to pit their skills against one another and in the process, overcome their limits and improve their skills.

14.             In the area of Uniformed Groups (UG), 13 schools have come forward to pioneer the first batch of cadets in the newly set-up National Civil Defence Cadet Corps (NCDCC).  About 500 cadets are being recruited in the first batch of the NCDCC this year.  In time to come, the NCDCC will, I am sure, provide valuable experiences for many more students.  It will develop in our pupils greater awareness of civil defence and prepare them with the skills to respond effectively to emergencies at home and abroad.

15.             It is heartening to note that the Uniformed Groups like the NPCC and The Singapore Red Cross Society have involved their cadets in the packing of supplies and raising funds for the Tsunami victims.  In their own way, they express the social conscience and compassion that comes naturally to our young.

16.             To support the continued development of our Uniformed Groups, I am pleased to announce that MOE will provide a subsidy of $40 for every new Uniformed Group recruit in the 6 UGs (St. John Ambulance Brigade, The Singapore Red Cross Society, The Girls' Brigade, The Boys' Brigade, The Scout Movement, The Girl Guides Movement), as part of the logistics costs in taking care of new members.

17.             To cater to the training needs of teacher officers, there will also be an increase in funding from $5,000 to $30,000 for each of the six UG HQs for the training of UG officers including Volunteer Adult Leaders.  This will raise MOE’s funding for the 6 UGs by about $200,000.

18.             Moving forward, CCAB will also be working with schools to develop more prototypes to facilitate the broadening of CCA experiences of our pupils.  The Ballpark Project, which I mentioned earlier in the speech, is a prototype developed through the collaboration of CCAB and schools.  Working in this manner, the varied CCA needs of pupils in different schools can be better met.

19.             CCAB will continue to look into providing opportunities for teachers to upgrade themselves in Sports CCA Competency and Management.  In 2004, CCAB in collaboration with the Singapore Sports Council, customized a National Coaching Accreditation Level 1 Theory Programme (NCAP) for teachers.  More of such CCA related courses will be organized to support the on-going learning of teachers.  Zone Sports Councils have also started to run workshops to share expertise in sports.  The West Zone Primary Schools Sports Council, for example, held a mini-conference in 2004 for teachers to share their knowledge and insights in sports education and management.

20.             Recognizing the important role of CCA coaches and instructors, CCAB will also be facilitating the organizing of sharing platforms for CCA coaches and instructors in pupil management and motivation.

CCAs IN A FIVE-DAY WORK WEEK

21.             Starting this year, all schools have implemented the 5-day work week.  I am happy to see that schools have adjusted well to the implementation of the 5-day work week.  The feedback provided by schools on how they are coping with CCAs in a five-day work week has been largely positive.  Many schools have indicated that the implementation of the 5-day work week has provided them with the impetus to re-look at their CCA arrangements, and to make creative adjustments to their programmes.

22.             Teck Whye Primary School took the opportunity to restructure their CCA.  The re-structuring resulted in the merging of some CCAs, and the creation of some new ones.  With the restructuring, Teck Whye Primary is now able to make CCA modules available to their Pr 2 pupils.  Secondary schools like Pasir Ris Secondary resolved the shortage of the VALs on weekdays by training more student leaders.  More pupils will now be able to take on leadership roles within their CCA.  The JCs and CI have also made their adjustments to make the 5-day work week possible.  Some, like Tampines JC, have shortened their periods, from 45 minutes to 40 minutes per period, so that lessons can finish at 4.30 pm daily, and CCA start at this time.

23.             Some CCAs may be best conducted on Saturdays, and schools have the latitude to do so.  Schools are trying out ways to minimise the need for their staff to be present on weekends while they continue to facilitate student and community activities.  They will not compromise on providing a holistic education for students, while striving to provide their staff with a pro-family environment.

24.             St Hilda’s Secondary School’s volleyball teams train on Saturdays as they are coached by ex-students.  The Ballpark project, which I mentioned earlier, is held on Saturdays as it involves working parents.  I understand that sailing and canoeing training in some JCs is conducted on Saturdays as training times depends on the tide.  Uniformed Groups that rely on VALs, like the BB, GB, and SJAB, still carry out some of their activities on Saturdays.

25.             Schools will also continue to support and facilitate students and members of the community who wish to make use of school facilities on Saturdays and Sundays as practised currently.

TRIM AND FIT (TAF) AND MINDEF PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE AWARDS

26.             Recent reports have discussed the rising prevalence of obesity in various countries over the years.  The International Obesity Taskforce (IOTF) has termed it the “millennium disease”.  The taskforce reported that obesity levels in countries such as America and the United Kingdom, have doubled in recent years.  In America, 65% of their adults are overweight and nearly a third are medically obese.  A similar situation has arisen in the United Kingdom, where obesity affects 55% of their entire population.  Developing countries like China are also facing a rising trends in obesity.

27.             I am pleased that we have made commendable progress in Singapore in this battle against obesity.

28.             Since 1992, the Trim and Fit (TAF) Programme has played an integral role in improving physical fitness levels and reducing the overweight percentage among our pupils.  Between 1992 and 2004, the physical fitness level of our pupils has improved from 57.8% to 81.1% while the overweight percentage has been reduced from 14.0% to 9.4%.  This would not have been possible without the concerted effort of everyone involved.  I would like to congratulate all schools for their effort in keeping obesity amongst pupils at bay.

29.             This morning, I am delighted to see a total of 301 schools receiving the TAF Gold and Silver Awards in recognition of their efforts and achievements in the TAF Programme for 2004.  In addition, 15 Junior Colleges and Millennia Institute will also be receiving the MINDEF Physical Fitness Performance Award.  I am pleased that their efforts in raising the standard of physical fitness have been recognized by the Ministry of Defence.

30.             To sustain our progress, we must engage our children in regular physical activities and inculcate in them good nutrition habits.  Physical activity and nutrition are the two pillars for leading an active and healthy lifestyle.  They are the key to preventing diseases such as heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

31.             To signal MOE’s commitment towards a more holistic view of physical health, the TAF Awards will be replaced with the Physical Health (PH) Awards in 2006.  The existing TAF award criteria will be broadened to encourage greater pupil participation in physical activities.

32.             From 2006, the Achievement Award (Physical Health) will consist of two criteria.  The first criterion is a NAPFA pass rate of at least 60% for all education levels.  This is a qualifying criterion for schools to vie for the award.  With a pass rate at 60%, we are able to ensure that our pupils continue to maintain a good level of fitness.  The second criterion comprises two components namely the Weight Progress Index (WPI) and Sports Participation Index (SPI).  The Weight Progress Index is a value-add criterion that recognizes schools’ efforts in helping their pupils move towards achieving acceptable weight.  The Sports Participation Index provides an indication of how well a school has engaged the pupil population in sports or other physical activity.  It also reflects the sporting culture of the school.

33.             I urge all schools to actively encourage and interest your children to pursue and enjoy a physically active and healthy lifestyle through their Physical Education lessons, co-curricular activities and other physical and nutrition education programmes.

CONCLUSION

34.             Before I end my address this morning, I would like to take the opportunity to thank Mr Wong Siew Hoong, former Headmaster of Raffles Institution and now Director of Schools, for his leadership and service as the Chairman of the Singapore Schools Sports Council for the past 3 years.  Under Mr Wong’s leadership, the Sports Council has continued to grow from strength to strength.  The new Chairman of the Council is Mr Ang Wee Hiong, Principal and CEO of Hwa Chong Institute.  I am confident that Mr Ang and the rest of the team will build on what has been achieved and bring sports promotion and education to new heights.

35.             It is now my pleasure to declare the 46th AGM of the Singapore Schools Sports Councils open.  I wish you another exciting and fruitful year ahead.

36.             Thank you.

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