尊敬的教育部长黄循财先生
各位福建会馆理事
各位校长、老师
女士、先生们
同学们

大家傍晚好！

首先，我谨代表新加坡福建会馆全体同仁，感谢黄循财部长拨冗为今年的飞跃教师奖进行颁奖。今年，福建会馆欢庆成立180周年，原本计划好一系列的大型庆祝活动。但是没有预料到碰上了冠病疫情，许多的活动被迫取消。今天，因为大家团结一心、疫情防控得力，我们能够举行这个小型的颁奖典礼，感到非常的难得和荣幸。在此，让我恭贺各位得奖的老师，大家在教育界耕耘多年，早出晚归、坚持不懈，培育了一批又一批国家未来的主人翁，为教育做出了非凡的贡献。

接下来，我将以英语继续发言。

Minister for Education, Mr Lawrence Wong,
Fellow Council Members, Principals, Teachers, Ladies and Gentlemen, girls and boys:

A very warm welcome to everyone.

The ceremony today is a simple gesture for Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan to honour and celebrate the contributions of important individuals in the education sector. But education is by no means simple. Behind every well-educated student, are years of tireless nurturing, care and attention, by many many educators. On behalf of Singapore Hokkien Huay Kuan, our heartfelt respect and congratulations to the 14 teacher recipients of the 2020 LEAP Award.

Education is one of Hokkien Huay Kuan’s key missions. I am encouraged to see a record number of teachers being nominated this year. Dedicated teachers are the key to quality education and they play a pivotal role in preparing and moulding students for the future. The 14 LEAP Award recipients are exemplary and inspirational to all. I hope they keep up the good work, and continue to inspire and empower.

Hokkien Huay Kuan celebrates our 180th anniversary this year. As one of the oldest clan association in Singapore, we also founded some of the oldest educational institutions in Singapore. Chong Wen Ge (崇文阁) was acknowledged by historians as the first Chinese public school founded in 1849. Three of our affiliated schools today, Tao Nan, Ai Tong and Chongfu, had celebrated their centennial anniversaries; while Kong Hwa, Nan Chiau Primary and Secondary schools are founded before Singapore’s independence.

This illustrated the level of importance our predecessors placed on education. Education not only changes lives. It is also a social leveller, ensuring equal opportunity for all, and promoting social mobility. And it is a sustained effort. Hokkien Huan Kuan remains committed to supporting education for the years to come.

Finally, on behalf of Hokkien Huay Kuan Council, I would like to thank Minister Lawrence Wong for taking time off your busy schedule to grace our occasion this evening.

This Friday is Teachers’ Day. I would like to wish all principals and teachers here and online, a very happy Teachers Day!

教师节快乐！谢谢！