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EXCERPT FROM DR YAACOB IBRAHIMS SPEECH AT NATIONAL

EDUCATION SEMINAR FOR GRADUATING TEACHERS 1999

SINGAPORE 21 ITS SIGNIFICANCE IN NATIONAL EDUCATION

15 Nov 1999

The 21st century awaits us, yet as a nation we are still grappling with the
building blocks of nationhood. PM Goh Chok Tong said in the parliamentary
debate on Singapore 21 that we are a nation in the making. The Singapore 21
vision is about the building of a nation. This process of nation building is not the
responsibility of a single group but of everyone the public and private sectors,
and people themselves. But why is it that after 34 years of independence and of
the many successes we have achieved as a nation that we now ponder on the
very idea of nationhood for ourselves? Has the glue that binds us as a people
weakened? And if this is the case, what are the reasons for it? Similarly, can we
strengthen that glue so that future generations of Singaporeans feel more
Singaporean than us? More importantly, what exactly is that glue that binds us
made up of? Many questions, but what are the answers, if there are any at all?

The National Education (NE) programme seeks to develop instincts for survival
and confidence in the future among Singaporeans. These instincts for survival
and confidence are built upon the principles that underpin our success. These are
meritocracy, incorruptibility, strong political leadership, racial tolerance,
religious harmony and self-reliance. The embodiment of these principles within
the nation defines the characteristics of the people making that nation. It defines
who we are as a people. In a sense, NE is about building the common ground
which allows all of the different groups and races to share with one another. The
larger the common ground is the more it will allow us to feel and act as a people.
As each and everyone of us takes ownership of this common ground, we will
invariably increase our stake in this country, strengthen our sense of
commitment and belonging for this country. We will value what we have built
and we will fight to defend and preserve what we have achieved.

But the building of the common ground requires the participation and
involvement of everyone. One cannot feel passionately for something in which
one did not play any role. Thus the Singapore 21 vision which promotes the
notion of active citizens seek to encourage more Singaporeans to contribute to
the well being of our families and communities. This sense of involvement at
any level serves to underscore the process of contributing to the widening of the
common ground which is so important for our survival as a nation.

The idea of a nation begins with the individual, then the family, and next the
community. This hierarchy is both top down and bottom up. An individual who

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feels for the nation would ensure that his family ties are strong and take an
active role in the community. A nation that is confident and proud will
invariably make the individuals and families feel for it. This relationship is
important for a nation to gel as a people. The glue that binds us as a nation has
to be continually strengthened as it weakens due to external and internal
circumstances.

Every individual belongs to a family and to a community. The family is the first
unit that we all relate to. If this unit is weak, then we as members of this unit
will also be weak. But if this unit, the family, is a nurturing one, where one can
find care, love, support, trust, encouragement and be forgiven, then the
individual is strengthened. He or she will feel more confident to face the world
beyond the confines of a home. But a family will undergo stress and face
challenges. This is where the community is important. If the community can step
in and help out, then families will be saved and many individuals will also be
helped and saved. But what is a community? It is made up of your neighbours,
the local grocer, the coffeeshop owner, the day care centre where we send our
kids, the resident committees, and the community centres. These are parts of
your community. These are the people you depend upon to keep an eye on your
house or children when you are busy or away. When I was in the US, I noticed
that HP executives and their families would come down to the neighbourhood
park once a year to do minor repairs and repainting work. Because they cared
for their community, their families concerns are also taken care off. As many
more of such active communities and strong families emerge, the nation will be
strengthened.

Strong families mean strong communities. But family ties will undergo stress
because of regionalisation and nuclearisation. Strong and active communities
can help to strengthen families. But communities are weakened as more
individuals seek out more personal goals and strive harder for material comfort.
A nation is strengthened as more individuals participate in community life. As a
nation we will need to continue to lay down visions for the future to avoid the
debilitating effects of contented paralyses.

Yet a nation ultimately is made up of individuals, you and me. Hence we need to
examine the many roles we play everyday. A person plays many roles, e.g.,
parent, sibling, teacher, national servicemen, student, and volunteer. Each of
these roles though different has a common thread each role is part of our larger
role as a member of the nation. To be active is to strengthen your family ties,
contribute to your local communities, and be interested in the affairs of the state.
Do we build upon family traditions and seek out new ways to strengthen our
family ties? Do we contribute to the building of our community in our HDB
housing estates? Do we give our opinions on policies that matter to the people?
Do we care enough about others? If our nation, community and family are not

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strong, we as individuals will also be affected. Hence what we do as individuals

is as much about us as it is about our family, community and the nation.

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