Ministry of Education of the Republic of Singapore

29/06/2024 | Press release | Archived content

Opening Remarks by Guest of Honour Second Minister for Education Dr Maliki Osman at Launch of 'Adopt a Block'

Our representatives from the Polytechnics and ITE,

Public Service Division,

People's Association,

Student advocates,

Public Service Officer Volunteers,

Residents from neighbouring constituencies,

1.A very good afternoon. I am delighted to be able to join you today to launch "Adopt a Block".

2."Adopt a Block" is a programme where our youth serve as change-makers in our communities to bring about a brighter, more sustainable future for all of us.

  1. Under this programme "Adopt a Block", Polytechnic and ITE students will "adopt" three blocks near their campuses for a start and will engage the residents to foster a culture of sustainability.

3.Now, more than ever, we need to take concrete steps to safeguard our future.

  1. To do so, we must learn to live more sustainably.
  2. For example, reducing water and electricity consumption, and increase recycling and greening efforts in our households and communities.
  3. These are goals laid out in Singapore's Green Plan 2030. We have a plan, and we must execute the plan. But we should not see them as just metrics, just as numbers; they are milestones on our journey towards sustainability.
  4. Our success is measured not just in the kilowatts saved or the litres conserved, but in the habits changed and the minds enlightened. It's more than just how much we can recycle. It's more than just how much we can save. It's about changing minds over a long period of time. If we can change every mind, if we can change every lifestyle, we can be sustainable for the longer term.
  5. So the ultimate goal is for all of us to live a sustainable lifestyle, and ensure that our next generations can continue to live in this beautiful and green world.

4.I am especially glad to see our students step up to lead this change:

  1. We first have our Student Councilors and Green Ambassadors from ITE;
  2. We also have the Environmental Rangers from Ngee Ann Polytechnic;
  3. The Geo Council and NYAA (pronounced "N"-"Y"-"A"-"A") Students' Club from Nanyang Polytechnic;
  4. Polytechnic Foundation Programme students from Republic Polytechnic;
  5. Year Two students who are participating in Singapore Polytechnic's Sustainability Innovation Project; and
  6. Temasek Polytechnic's Sustainability Interest Group and Horticulture and Botany Club. So we have all the polytechnics, we have the ITE, all ready to "adopt a block" each, three blocks each for a start.

5.Now to our students, I say this: You are the change-makers, the pioneers of progress - and remember that. I hope you will;

  1. Embrace this opportunity, for it is not just a chance to learn, but a chance to lead.
  2. And as you champion sustainable habits within your adopted blocks, I encourage you to carry these lessons back to your own homes and communities, creating ripples of change that will spread far and wide. You must lead by example. I encourage you to spread the message as widely as you can.
  3. There is no better way to safeguard your future than by taking that future into your own hands.

6.This initiative is not just about education; it's also about collective action.

7.Which is why I am very glad that the Public Service has stepped forward to also support this programme.

  1. The various Grassroots Organisations under the People's Association, or PA (pronounced "P"-"A"), have been working actively with our institutions and residents on these engagement efforts.
  2. Thirty-one Public Service Officers across the government service have also stepped forward under the Public Service for Good Initiative to participate in this meaningful endeavour.

8.To all Public Service Officers involved in Adopt a Block, I thank you for your contribution, and wish you an enjoyable and fruitful year ahead with our students and residents. And I hope you will be an inspiration to all our other public servants out there.

9.Over the next few months, our students will be conducting household visits, running workshops, and even co-creating ideas with residents on sustainable living.

10.They will be the friendly faces knocking on the doors, and diligent stewards dispensing practical knowledge on how to live a sustainable lifestyle. They will help our residents understand their electricity bills, understand their water bills, understand what they can save and how they can save - without compromising their own lifestyle.

11.To our residents, I urge you to support this "Adopt a Block" programme and welcome our students with open doors.

12.We are launching an initiative that is more than just a campaign; there are many campaigns out there. This is more than a campaign; it is a movement. I hope that this will be a movement that will shape Singapore, to make sure that we really live a sustainable lifestyle. A movement that will enable all of us to make better choices for Singapore and our future generations.

13.So let us build a legacy of sustainability and let us do it with the conviction that our collective efforts will indeed make a difference. We start off with three blocks today, let's expand it to many many more blocks in the respective communities.

14.When we are united by a common purpose, we can create a better future for Singapore.

15.I look forward to seeing how our students, Public Service Officers, and the community will work together to transform our community under this initiative, and certainly make sustainability a pillar of our society and our lifestyles.

16.Thank you so much everyone for your attention. Have a wonderful afternoon.