Education should inculcate values like love for family,
community & country: SM Goh
By Evelyn Choo | Posted: 15
January 2011 1559 hrs
SINGAPORE : Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong said
education should inculcate values like love for the family,
community and country.
He was speaking at his constituency's 16th Edusave Scholarship and
Merit Bursary Awards Presentation Ceremony, held at Tao Nan School
in Marine Parade on Saturday afternoon.
Congratulating the students, Mr Goh said they should not become too
self-absorbed in their quest for personal achievement and fortune,
forgetting about the people around them.
"Parents work hard and long hours. Children spend long hours in
school, and attend tuition classes and CCAs. Young people nowadays
also spend more time online playing computer games and on social
networking sites than actually physically interacting and talking
to their brothers, sisters and parents. It is important for
students and parents alike, to constantly make time for each other,
to have meaningful face-to-face conversations," he said.
He also encouraged students to join Residents' Committees, saying
it was an example of how they could help strengthen community
bonds.
He cited two additional challenges in the area of community bonding
- the widening income gap, and the recent influx of
immigrants.
SM Goh said: "Economic growth must benefit all members of the
community. Otherwise, our community may be divided by differences
in income levels within it. Second is the need to welcome newcomers
to our community. With our low birth rates and fast ageing
population, we have to supplement our workforce with newcomers from
other countries.
"We should be welcoming of new citizens and new members to our
community because we need them, and they help grow our economy and
make Singapore a better place."
Lastly, Mr Goh touched on nation-building.
He said: "One day, it will be your turn to build Singapore. You
must try your best to make it better. When you do so, you will
acquire a sense of ownership. You will love Singapore even more
because you are a part of it."
A total of 52 students from the primary, secondary, and
pre-university level received bursaries valued between $200 and
$400.
Another 96 students were awarded scholarships valued from $350 to
$650.
The ceremony was jointly organised by the South East Community
Development Council (CDC) and the Marine Parade Citizens'
Consultative Committee (CCC).
- CNA
