DPM Heng Swee Keat at Raffles Institution's 199th Founder's Day

Mr Bey Soo Khiang, Chairman of the RI Board of Governors

Mr Ong Kong Hong, MOE Zonal Director of Schools (South)

Mr Frederick Yeo, Principal

Teachers, parents, and fellow Rafflesians

I am very happy to be back in RI for the 199^th Founder’s Day.

Memories of RI

I have many fond memories of my student days in RI. I spent 6 years in the old Grange Road campus. At that time, the campus was new. I still remember the sights and sounds of the old campus – the parade square, the long corridors, and the 2 storey-high school crest in the school hall which now hangs in your atrium.

Those were simple but happy times. We studied hard, but there was not too much pressure. I was free to explore my interests outside the classroom - Interact Club, volleyball, dabbling in electronics, raising funds for our school magazine. Most of all I remember the easy camaraderie amongst my classmates, who came from a diverse range of backgrounds and cultures.  

Every School a Good School

Those good old days could partly be rosy retrospection. But one must remember that Singapore was a very different place half a century ago. Many did not even go past primary school. In the early 1970s, only 14% of each cohort went beyond secondary school. Today, it is a vastly different picture. Almost every student today progresses to post-secondary education. And a significant majority will go on to either get a diploma or university degree.

Our educational landscape has been transformed within one generation. This has uplifted many lives, including mine. It is one of the most remarkable chapters in the Singapore Story.  

Social mobility is by and large still alive in Singapore. A study by the Ministry of Finance found that of those born to parents in the lowest income quintile here, 14% of these children made it to the top income quintile in their working years. This is much better than what is observed in other countries, including the UK, US, Canada, and Denmark. As with most mature societies, we too face an uphill task to avoid social stratification. So DPM Lawrence Wong is leading the Forward Singapore movement, a national effort that brings everyone together to renew and strengthen our social compact.

A critical enabler of our social compact is education. When I was the Education Minister, I said that Every School is a Good School. I did not expect this at the time, but the phrase has spawned different memes – every restaurant a good restaurant, every hawker centre a good hawker centre… You get the drift. RI was held up as a counter example by some sceptical parents - how can every school be like a RI, they ask? But that misses the point. Every School a Good School is about bringing out the best in every child. The mission is the same, but the context differs across schools. And we equip each school to achieve this same mission.

What does “good” mean for RI

What does Every School a Good School then mean for RI, which is already widely perceived as a good school? Let me make three suggestions today. 

First, RI will need to continue to broaden what “good” means.

When I spoke of Every School a Good School, many thought that schools like RI were not the intended audience. But Every School a Good School is not just about grades. We must take a broader view of what “good” means. This is something that all schools, including RI, must seriously consider. The irony is that in a school like RI, the definition of merit can be especially narrow if we are not careful. Because RI students tend to excel academically, grades often end up as the primary measure of success. But the underlying ethos of Every School a Good School applies to RI as well – it is about recognising and fulfilling the range of talent within each student. 

My advice to you is this: don’t be pigeonholed by your grades. Your grades are admirable – that’s what got you into RI. But your PSLE grades at the age of 12 must not define you. To construct your self-worth and identity around academic excellence – this would not be healthy. What happens when you do not fare as well academically? Some students may already feel this. You may be a top student from your primary school, but when you come to RI, you are an average student by comparison. There is a lot more to life than just grades. In the workplace, one is assessed based on how you perform, and not what your academic grades were. And I can promise you this – life is full of ebbs and flows. You will not excel all the time. You might achieve some highs, but there will also be a fair share of hard knocks and failures. I too had my fair share of ups and downs, including suffering from a stroke six years ago. And this made me view life from a very different perspective. If your identity and self-worth are defined solely by your grades and eventually by how much you earn, this would not make for a purposeful and fulfilling life. Now, don’t get me wrong – exams are still important. They are a test of your content mastery, critical thinking, discipline, and grit. But they are not everything. 

I am glad that RI is working hard to redefine what it means to excel. You are equipping students with a well-rounded, holistic education. Much of this learning takes place outside the classroom. As Frederick mentioned in his speech, RI has put in place a Diversity, Inclusivity, and Community Engagement, or D.I.C.E. framework, to step up your values-driven education. I hope that all of you continue to find the time and space to explore what is truly important to you. Back in my days in RI, the stereotype was that Rafflesians tend to end up working in government or multinationals. I chose a career in the public service. It has been a most fulfilling and meaningful journey. And it remains critical for government to continue attracting young Singaporeans to serve. At the same time, I am also heartened to see Rafflesians venturing into many different fields, from the non-profit sector to the creative industries. As the Chinese saying goes, 行行出状元, and there are many pathways for you to contribute and serve. And while there are diverse pathways in life, what will ultimately guide you is the North Star of your values and your purpose.

This brings me to my next point.

Diversity must be at the core of what a “good” RI experience is. 

RI students today come from more comfortable backgrounds, compared to my time. This is partly because a rising economic tide has lifted all boats over the past four to five decades. Most parents have more resources than before at their disposal. But we must also acknowledge that the average RI student today comes from a relatively well-to-do background. The “look and feel” of the school has also changed in subtle ways. Today, around half of RI students live in public housing, lower than the national schools’ average. We must do our utmost to prevent the inadvertent perpetuation of closed groups. Left unchecked, this will lead to the greater social stratification that we see in many other countries. The texture of our schools, and indeed of our society, will change. As our schools are a microcosm of society, we must do more to ensure that they better reflect our society’s diversity.

Diversity is not tokenism. It is not charity. Diversity benefits everyone, not least the students themselves. Over the years, I have met a few enlightened global business leaders who eschewed sending their children to private schools, but instead enrolled them in public schools where they can learn in a more varied environment. As a multiracial and multicultural society, embracing diversity is one of our strengths. Diversity also means being open to the world, and welcoming of those who are not born and bred here. In a more complex and uncertain world, it is critical that our youths can work in diverse environments, understand different perspectives, appreciate different cultures, and learn to build consensus. This must start in school – muscles and reflexes that are built up over time, strengthened through their interactions, and reinforced in the classroom. But the foundations to do so can only occur if schools are sufficiently diverse.

I am glad that RI is stepping up efforts on this front. RI is taking active steps to reach out to students from financially disadvantaged backgrounds, including by working closely with primary schools across Singapore to encourage their students to consider RI in their secondary school applications. You have to date given out more than 3,300 Raffles Scholarships amounting to almost $6 million, funded by donors and alumni, so that no student feels that he cannot come to RI because of financial reasons. Through the Direct School Admission, RI has also admitted students of diverse talents, such as sports, arts, leadership and character, which has also added to the diversity of your student population.

On the whole, RI has done well over the last few years in this aspect. 5 years ago, your Sec 1 intake came from 83 primary schools. Last year, your Sec 1 students came from 119 primary schools. But this is like rolling a boulder up the hill. You can and must continue to do even more. With better diversity of students and a diversity of experiences, RI can continue to produce youths that can make an impact in the world.  

This brings me to my last point.

A “good” RI education must continue to emphasise a strong spirit of service.

The founding of RI has its roots in public service. Sir Stamford Raffles envisaged RI as a school that will equip the local population with the skills needed to serve the needs of the country. Through the years, RI has produced many generations of Thinkers, Leaders, Pioneers. Many of them have contributed to building Singapore, from Third World to First. And increasingly, many Rafflesians are spreading their wings across the world to make a positive impact. I have met many of them in my travels.

I am glad that the Rafflesian spirit of service remains strong. During COVID-19, Rafflesians were active in supporting the learning of underprivileged primary school students. Year 1 students were also involved in helping at-risk elderly. I was also happy to hear Frederick mention in his speech that you are starting a new mentoring programme for P4 to P6 students, which will involve RI students mentoring these students over a three-year period. These are commendable efforts, and I encourage all of you to do even more to give back to society.

Hope of a Better Age

Let me conclude.

To the graduated Class of 2021, your achievements are even more commendable as you grew up amidst the challenges of COVID-19. You have demonstrated resilience, fortitude, and a strong sense of purpose to get to where you are today. May you continue to embrace these values as you continue your life journey. I also wish to thank all parents and teachers – indeed, it takes a village to raise a child.

The world that awaits our youths has many challenges. There are geopolitical uncertainties, with the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war and US-China contestation. The global economy is still reeling from the effects of the pandemic, and the road ahead will be bumpy. 

This is reminiscent of the 1970s, when I was in RI. The Cold War was in full swing. “Stagflation” was afflicting the global economy. But my generation didn’t lose hope. We persevered and made the most of our every opportunity that came our way. The Cold War eventually ended. A more stable global order emerged that led to a more prosperous and peaceful world. Today, great power competition is on the rise. The spectre of stagflation is real in many parts of the developed world. But if everyone in your generation put your minds to it, you can overcome these bumps and create a better post-COVID world.

The key is to ride the new waves of opportunities – and there are many. If I were a young Rafflesian today, I would have so much to be excited by –  from the exciting breakthroughs in science and technology, to the vibrant start-up scene in Singapore, and the dynamic region that we live in. So I say to all of you: venture forth and explore the world. Put your talents and passions to serving Singapore and make the world a better place. You will be well served by the good education you have received – one that is well-rounded, steeped in diversity, and inculcates a strong desire of service. I am confident that each of you will “heed the call” to meet the “challenge of the day” as the RI Anthem puts it, and be the Hope of a Better Age.

Auspicium Melioris Aevi.  

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