1. I was reflecting as I listened to the four speeches earlier. The message that struck a chord with me was "饮水思源". President of Singapore Buddhist Lodge used that phrase just now – 饮水思源. What does it mean? 饮水思源means when you drink water, think of the source. Indeed, I think this is the message through the four speakers about how we need to remember who has been kind to us, and how we have been supported by family, community and country. And when we grow up, when we have the abilities, pay it forward to the family, community and country.
2. Mr Tan Lee Huak, President of Singapore Buddhist Lodge,
Datuk Dr Mohd Hasbi Abu Bakar, President of Jamiyah Singapore,
Mr Tan Thiam Lye, President of Taoist Federation
Parents and Students,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
3. Good afternoon to all of you. It is my pleasure to join you in celebrating the achievements of the 471 secondary students who will be receiving their bursary awards today. My heartiest congratulations to all the award winners!
4. It is heartening to see the good work that the Singapore Buddhist Lodge (SBL) and its partners have put in to uplift students from disadvantaged backgrounds over the years. Since 1979, SBL has disbursed more than $22 million to over 40,000 beneficiaries. And I can tell that such bursaries can really make a difference. I come from a very humble background myself and I remember how the bursaries came in very handy in seeing through my education. And today, I'm paying it forward too. Your collective effort is proof that we, as a community, can enable every child to achieve their fullest potential regardless of their starting point in life, and no one in Singapore, no child or no youth in Singapore will be left behind because of not enough resources or money to further their education That is our commitment to the children and students of Singapore.
5. Students, as you receive your awards later, do take a moment to reflect on your journey thus far. Your presence here is not only a testament of your hard work and your excellence, but also the result of a community who has come together to support your goals and your dreams. I hope that when the time comes, you, too, like many of the adults and generous donors here, will extend your support in your own ways to those who may need help, so that they, too, will have the chance to find success.
6. A compassionate and inclusive society is one where all of us play our part in looking out and caring for one another. The Ministry of Education (MOE) took active steps to support our needy Singaporean students by increasing subsidies and bursaries, and revising the income eligibility criteria for our Financial Assistance Schemes, and we reviewed this just this year . But we recognise that support also has to come from beyond our schools. This is why I am so encouraged that community partners like SBL have stepped forward to complement MOE's efforts.
7. I would like to urge every one of you to continue contributing back to society, so that no Singaporean is left behind. And to all bursary award recipients, I hope that you will find your way to develop your fullest potential and reach greater heights. All the best to the students, and have a good afternoon everyone.
8. Thank you.