Celebrating the achievements of young inmates

Professor Leo Tan, Chairman of the National Youth Achievement Award Council,

Mr James Soh, Executive Director, NYAA Council, 

Mr Soh Wai Wah, Director of Prisons,

Distinguished Guests 

Award Recipients

Ladies and Gentlemen

1. I am very happy to join you here in celebrating the achievements of our youths. There are 80 here today who are receiving the National Youth Achievement Awards.

2. And as you heard just now, the Awards were first launched in 1992 by then-President of Singapore, Mr Wee Kim Wee. They were designed to be non-competitive in nature. But that does not mean that they NYAA is something easy to attain. In fact, it is quite difficult.

3. To qualify, a candidate must meet certain requirements that seek to develop him or her as a whole person – to challenge the body, hone the mind, and nurture the soul.  The candidate must be physically active; they must pursue a new skill; they must venture into the outdoors. Finally – and this is perhaps the most difficult and important requirement, one that takes all of us a lifetime of practice to learn – they must perform acts of service for the community.

4. So let me once again congratulate the award recipients in our midst. All of you have travelled quite a journey, as individuals and in your respective teams, in order to be here today. Well done and congratulations!

Youth potential and achievements

5. Many times, older people look at youths and say, “It’s the best time of your life!” Well, it’s easy to look back at our younger days with some fondness and nostalgia. I’m 41 now and looking back on my teenage years, a lot of it doesn’t seem as hard as it did then with hindsight when you look back.

6. But when you think reflect deeper on the matter, I must say that it is not always easy being young. There are wrong turns that we may take; some choices and possibilities that turn out to be mistakes much later down the road. So it is not always an easy path. But one of the most precious things about being young is that life is full of potential.

7. And that’s something I hope all of you here must continue to believe. You may have faced some bumps along the road, and encountered some setbacks along the way. But take these in your stride, and continue to believe in yourselves. You have to continue to persevere and chase your dreams. With hard work and the support of the community, there is no limit to what you can accomplish.

8. That is what we at MCCY believe in whole-heartedly, and that’s why we want to continue to support our youths like yourselves and give you all the resources and support we can to help you go further.

9. Let me share the story of one our award recipients, Darren Tan. Darren failed his N-Levels and was suspended several times from school. Swayed by the prospect of easy money, Darren spiralled into drug trafficking. When Darren was arrested, it was his mother who stood by him and showed her love for him despite all things. With his family’s support, coupled with education and programmes in prison, Darren succeeded in rebuilding his life, and achieved four distinctions during his O-level examination. He now plans to pursue a Diploma in Business from a local polytechnic after serving his National Service.

10. Darren, together with the 75 other inmates in the Prison School, performed outstandingly for last year’s GCE O level: More than 93% of these candidates attained three or more ‘O’ Level passes, while 69% achieved five or more ‘O’ level passes.

11. Doing well academically is important, but it’s only part of the picture. In fact, for some of you if you are not academically inclined, it doesn’t mean that you have no talent, because all of you have talent of your own. And it could be of diverse areas. I think even more critical than academic achievement is developing character and values, and a commitment to serve the community.

12. That’s something that is integral to the NYAA, and as part of the programme each of you was given the opportunity to host senior citizens from CARElderly and Lions Befrienders. I was told about the performances that you put up for the seniors, as well as the initiative that you displayed in perfecting your efforts in putting up a good show. I am sure that the senior citizens appreciated what you had done for them, and I hope that you too have found it meaningful to contribute to the community, and will continue to do so in a sustained manner when you eventually get back to the society. Of course, you are hoping to get back to work or further your education. But also continue to find ways to serve and give back to the community in whatever form. And there will be many opportunities for you to do so, including community organisations or grassroots organisations.

Family and community efforts

13. All of you have shown grit and determination in your achievements. The road you travel has not been easy. But I assure you that you are not alone in this journey.

14. That is why I am heartened to see many family members and friends today. I cannot overstate the importance of your support as our youths seek to reshape and rebuild their lives in the community. I am certain that you must be very proud of their achievements, just as I am

15. Let me also take the opportunity to thank the community and private sector partners who have worked with Prisons to make this experience possible for our youths.

16. The NYAA is of course an important partner who introduced this meaningful programme to Prisons. I also thank LASALLE College of the Arts for imparting basic video-editing skills to the participants from Tanah Merah, as well as Lions Befrienders and CARElderly for giving our youths the chance to bring smiles to the faces of the elderly. There are many others to thank – StudioWu, Musicon and more. All our partners who are here today, I think we should think them and give them a round of applause.

17. Last but not least, I congratulate the Prison School for nurturing another batch of award recipients. Thank you for making a difference in their lives.

Closing

18. To our award recipients, I share the joy of your success today. I encourage you to make use of the skills and lessons that you have gained from your experience in the NYAA programme. Treasure the support around you, and use this opportunity to restart your lives with sincerity and perseverance. So may this day be a new beginning.  I am hopeful and excited about what all of you can achieve in the years ahead, and I wish you every success in your future endeavours.

19. Thank you very much.