ONE STEP CLOSER TO OUR CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE AT NEW SITE:
NGEE ANN KONGSI'S $2M DONATION!

1. I am pleased to join you today to witness the cheque presentation by Ngee Ann Kongsi to Pathlight School.
   
   
2. Our education system aims to help develop students to realize their potential to the fullest. We equip them with the necessary skills for employment and inculcate in them the right values to become contributing and responsible citizens.  This applies to students in all schools, whether in mainstream or in special education. My Ministry’s vision is to develop peaks of success for students of different abilities and talents.
   
   
3. Pathlight School is the first autism-focused school in Singapore that offers a unique blend of life skills and mainstream academics to children with autism and related disorders who are able to access the mainstream school syllabus. It is one of the fast growing special schools in Singapore, thanks to the relentless efforts of its Board, staff and volunteers. Enrolment has increased ten-fold from an initial from an initial 41 students to 415. Pathlight students have adjusted well to their learning environment and have achieved commendable results in the PSLE and GCE examinations.
   
   
4. As a results of its rapid growth, the school needs bigger and better school facilities to accommodate the needs of its student population. The Ministry of Education is committing $26m to develop a new school campus housing Pathlight’s primary school, secondary school and a pre-vocational training centre. The new facilities will be ready by April 2009. The school fundraised $7.5m, of which Ngee Ann Kongsi has generously donated $2M.
   
   
5. Pathlight School believes in equipping students with useful vocational and life skills to enhance their employability and independent living skills. These skills are best developed whilst the students are younger and not when it is time to exit their school career. With this in mind, the school has incorporated a 3-storey pre-vocational training centre at the new school premise. In appreciation of Ngee Ann Kongsi’s generous donation towards the training centre, this facility will be named "NGEE ANN KONGSI TRAINING CENTRE".
   
   
6. Ngee Ann Kongsi is not new to the education and philanthropy scene in Singapore. It is a significant contributor towards the enrichment of Singapore society in education, arts and community services. Prominent school, tertiary institutions as well as bursaries and scholarships bear the Ngee Ann name.
   
   
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7. I commend the Kongsi for your dedication and commitment towards the education of young Singaporeans. I congratulate Pathlight School for its commitment to providing a quality education for its students. Through the partnership and support of organizations like Ngee Ann Kongsi, our schools and educational institutions will be better positioned to prepare your young to face new challenges and thrive in a globalised world. I look forward to your continued support.