Edusave Award recipients discuss S’pore’s future

SINGAPORE: About 200 secondary one to three students from the Tanglin—Cairnhill Constituency engaged in a conversation about Singapore’s future on Saturday.

They are also recipients of this year’s Edusave Awards.

In a departure from previous Edusave Awards presentation ceremonies, students were asked to discuss what news headlines they would like to see in 2030.

"Some will be future leaders, not all will be in leadership positions. But these obviously are those who have done well in school and they are going to be the people who will take Singapore forward," said Indranee Rajah, senior minister of state for law and education.

"In another 50 years, I may not be here, the current government may not be here, then who will lead Singapore into the future? It’s got to be the people who are in the schools today. So it’s important for them to start thinking about the kind of Singapore they want, and the kind of Singaporeans we want to be."

A variety of issues were raised, including more affordable housing, an improved quality of life, and even Singapore’s soccer team winning not just one, but two World Cup titles.

"Many of us now are living in the 21st century; we are actually distracted by all the electronic gadgets and all, and we don’t really bother about anything else besides our mobile devices," said 16—year—old Claire Faustina Tong, a student of Coral Secondary School.

"So I think schools should actually step up their leadership, so that like our youths, we can inspire other people outside."

The event is also part of the Our Singapore Conversation initiative, which was started last year.

The awards have typically recognised those with outstanding academic results.

But the criteria was changed last year to also reward those who have shown excellence in non—academic areas.

The Edusave Awards include the Edusave Scholarship, the Edusave Merit Bursary, Good Progress Award, Edusave Character Award and the Edusave Awards for Achievement, Good Leadership and Service (EAGLES).

— CNA/xq