SM Goh says investing in education is key when dealing with economic uncertainty
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 January 2009 1829 hrs
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Crescent Girls' School teacher and students</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
SINGAPORE: Investing and staying competitive in education are key when dealing with the current economic uncertainties, said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
He made this point while speaking to more than 160 students and their parents at the Edusave Merit Bursary and Scholarship Presentation at the Marine Parade Constituency on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Goh said with the looming recession, Singapore is like a small boat sailing in the rough seas. But being a "small, speedy boat", he said Singapore will recover swiftly once the global economy recovers.
But as things remain uncertain in the next few years, investing in education is key.
"Because education broadens our knowledge, education allows us to learn more skills. When you have the skills and you got the knowledge, you have the whole world of jobs before you, so when the economy recovers, those with better education and skills will stand a better chance of getting a job," the senior minister said.
He also stressed the importance of competing regionally.
"The countries in Asia are good in Maths and Science, so they are our competitors in jobs which require science and mathematical background. And they are emphasising on education like we do.
"We want our children to go as far as they can go because from the data that we have, generally there is a correlation between your level of education and your pay package," Mr Goh added.
He also gave the assurance that the government will always extend support and help to those in need.
"Our emphasis is on getting them to do well in school and not allowing your financial resources to be a hindrance, so we have all kinds of schemes, bursaries in school and now the Edusave scheme," he said.
Some 169 students from the Marine Parade Constituency received their Edusave bursaries and scholarships at the ceremony, with a total sum of S$51,050 disbursed.
- CNA/so
By Hetty Musfirah Abdul Khamid, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 03 January 2009 1829 hrs
<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width=260 align=right border=0><TBODY><TR><TD align=right width=20> </TD><TD align=right width=240>
Crescent Girls' School teacher and students</TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD class=update> </TD></TR><TR><TD> </TD><TD></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
SINGAPORE: Investing and staying competitive in education are key when dealing with the current economic uncertainties, said Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong.
He made this point while speaking to more than 160 students and their parents at the Edusave Merit Bursary and Scholarship Presentation at the Marine Parade Constituency on Saturday afternoon.
Mr Goh said with the looming recession, Singapore is like a small boat sailing in the rough seas. But being a "small, speedy boat", he said Singapore will recover swiftly once the global economy recovers.
But as things remain uncertain in the next few years, investing in education is key.
"Because education broadens our knowledge, education allows us to learn more skills. When you have the skills and you got the knowledge, you have the whole world of jobs before you, so when the economy recovers, those with better education and skills will stand a better chance of getting a job," the senior minister said.
He also stressed the importance of competing regionally.
"The countries in Asia are good in Maths and Science, so they are our competitors in jobs which require science and mathematical background. And they are emphasising on education like we do.
"We want our children to go as far as they can go because from the data that we have, generally there is a correlation between your level of education and your pay package," Mr Goh added.
He also gave the assurance that the government will always extend support and help to those in need.
"Our emphasis is on getting them to do well in school and not allowing your financial resources to be a hindrance, so we have all kinds of schemes, bursaries in school and now the Edusave scheme," he said.
Some 169 students from the Marine Parade Constituency received their Edusave bursaries and scholarships at the ceremony, with a total sum of S$51,050 disbursed.
- CNA/so
