Speech by Ms Gan Siow Huang, Minister of State for Education at the Self-Help Groups' Joint Tuition Awards Ceremony

Board and Committee Members of the various Self-Help Groups,
Chief Executive Officers,
Ladies, Gentlemen,
Students, parents, and grandparents who are here today,

Good afternoon to all of you.

Introduction

Allow me to first extend my deepest appreciation to our Self-Help Groups - the Chinese Development Assistance Council, Yayasan MENDAKI, Singapore Indian Development Association, and Eurasian Association. The tuition awards, made possible by our Self-Help Groups, celebrate the hard work and achievements of the students who are here today.

2.My heartiest congratulations to all the students, and of course, to their parents and the tutors! How about a round of applause for them.

72% Increase in Number of Award Recipients

3.This year, the Joint Tuition Awards is held across two sessions for close to 2,000 students and their parents. The SHGs have standardised their award eligibility criteria such that students who pass, and show at least one-grade improvement for their national exams can qualify for the award. As a result, the number of award recipients has increased significantly by 72%, from 883 in 2023 to 1,520 in 2024. The significant increase in numbers is encouraging because it shows that many of our students are making progress and showing improvement in their academic performance. I commend our SHGs for doing more to recognise a bigger pool of students who have shown improvements in their studies.

4.The SHGs have also enhanced the awards for the recipients. Primary school students will now receive $150 each in cash, while secondary school students will receive $200 in cash. I hope this will encourage our students to continue working hard and doing well in their studies.

5.I remember when I was a child, I also looked forward to the Tuition Awards and it was always an encouragement for me and was a proud moment for my parents too.

Supporting Our Student's Pathway to Success Through Collaboration

6.Our SHGs today play a very crucial role in developing our communities alongside the policies and initiatives by the government. They reach out to different communities to address their specific needs on the ground. They uplift the less well-to-do and rally support from those who can give back and pay-it-forward. Many of us present here today have directly or indirectly benefited from the SHGs' efforts, particularly in the areas of education, youth empowerment, and family support.

7.Over the years, the SHGs have collaborated with one another on various initiatives, pooling their knowledge and resources to provide educational programmes for students and also enhance interaction between various ethnic groups. One key initiative is the Collaborative Tuition Programme, which provides subsidised tuition for students of all races. Since 2002, the number of programme centres has grown from 11 to 212 in 2024, and more than 178,000 students have benefitted from the tuition programme. This is really a remarkable number, how about a round of applause for our SHGs.

8.One such student is 13-year-old Fariz Ayril Farok, who is a recipient of the Best Overall Award for the PSLE category. Fariz joined the tuition programme in Primary 5, focusing on English, Mathematics, and Science. While he had a strong grasp of concepts, Fariz struggled with articulating his answers initially. With the personalised support provided through the tuition programme, Fariz improved his writing skills and his newfound confidence allowed him to derive greater enjoyment from learning.

9.The SHGs have also worked closely with the Ministry of Education and schools to identify and support students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Schools provide support to the SHGs by offering spaces to run the Collaborative Tuition Programme for the students living nearby. This allows our students from various schools to conveniently access classes near their homes.

10.Beyond educational support, the SHGs have been organising various programmes to create more avenues for our students and youth to cultivate meaningful interactions. In 2023, the SHGs introduced the annual Joint Football Camp and Inter-SHG Youth Dialogue.

1. Held during the June school holidays, the Joint Football Camp aims to promote racial harmony and inclusivity through the sport. About 80 students benefitted from the two-day camp in June this year.
2. Last year, the Inter-SHG Youth Dialogue also brought together more than 50 youth from the four SHGs to discuss issues close to their heart and how we can continue building a cohesive, inclusive and united Singapore. This year's dialogue will see youths focusing on topics such as social cohesion, social mobility, and the role of SHGs in the future.

11.The collective efforts of our SHGs reflect our shared aspirations to forge a stronger society, deepen our connections to one another, and ultimately, foster a Singapore where everyone feels a sense of belonging. This is in line with Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's National Day Rally speech on how our refreshed social compact aims to build a Singapore that is more resilient and united. I look forward to these efforts by our SHGs and I want to extend my heartiest gratitude to them and, of course, their volunteers for their dedication to serve.

Conclusion

12.Congratulations once again to all the award recipients. Your hard work and perseverance have truly paid off, and your achievements are proof of your commitment to progress and improvements in your studies. I am sure your teachers and tutors are proud of what you have accomplished. Now, as you keep up the good work, also remember to appreciate those who have supported you - your parents, teachers, tutors and friends.

13.Pay it forward when you can. Ultimately, success is measured not just by your academic achievements, but how you contribute to society and those around you.

14.All the best to you. Thank you.

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