LKY Set-Up $100m Fund Pre-Schoolers To Learn Mother Tongue

Aris · 28-11-2011, 10:22 PM

By Elgin Toh

To promote bilingualism among young Singaporeans, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has set up a fund that he hopes will eventually reach over $100 million.

To be administered by the Ministry of Education, the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism will be used to spearhead initiatives that teach children their mother tongue and English, especially in their pre-school years.

'However difficult to learn the mother tongue, especially Chinese (together with) English, if children start early enough from Kindergarten 1 or even nursery, by primary six, they will be bilingual, with a strong foundation in the mother tongue for life,' he said.

Mr Lee will kick start the fund with a personal donation of $10 million and another $2 million from the sale of signed copies of a new book he launched on Monday. Property tycoon Philip Ng and hotelier Ong Beng Seng have pledged $5 million and $2 million respectively.

My respects to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and hope he will continue to leave his mark as the Father of Singapore.

http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_738927.html

therat · 28-11-2011, 10:53 PM

My question is why now?

28-11-2011, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by therat

My question is why now?

good one bro. if media were to ask why now? he will suck thumb

shawnchen89 · 29-11-2011, 01:14 AM

knn my time why dun have??? now then he realise that his speak english campaign cocked up the Chinese population big time liao? Or now then he realised China is becoming important?

BTGH · 29-11-2011, 01:25 AM

not much time left to right the wrongs???

AngryBird · 29-11-2011, 08:26 AM

The other time, Dr Ng said something to remove mother tounge or to reduce the importance of mother tounge in education system and led to an outcry of some citizens. Then Dr Ng and PM apologised.

Is it because Garment import many PRCs so now mother tounge is important so that the PRC kids to do well in school?

Guppies Onli · 29-11-2011, 09:09 AM

If I have his weath, I would have donated more and much earlier too.

Question is how to use such a fund and ease of access or othewise. Juz like the many funds that we have now, unless one is very very very poor, then can utilise it. Those neither here nor there one are the ones that die first.

therat · 29-11-2011, 09:46 AM

May be Cheng hu don't want to spent the money.

Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

aromatix · 29-11-2011, 10:07 AM

laudable initiative from LKY. at his age n stage, he could just kick off his shoes in retirement. he's putting his money where his mouth is and pressing on with his convictions. salute.

thanks on behalf of my kidz.

maverick1170 · 29-11-2011, 10:38 AM

better late then never at all.

28-11-2011, 10:22 PM	#1
Aris Arofanatic Join Date: Mar 2011 Posts: 119	LKY Set-Up $100m Fund Pre-Schoolers To Learn Mother Tongue By Elgin Toh To promote bilingualism among young Singaporeans, former prime minister Lee Kuan Yew has set up a fund that he hopes will eventually reach over $100 million. To be administered by the Ministry of Education, the Lee Kuan Yew Fund for Bilingualism will be used to spearhead initiatives that teach children their mother tongue and English, especially in their pre-school years. 'However difficult to learn the mother tongue, especially Chinese (together with) English, if children start early enough from Kindergarten 1 or even nursery, by primary six, they will be bilingual, with a strong foundation in the mother tongue for life,' he said. Mr Lee will kick start the fund with a personal donation of $10 million and another $2 million from the sale of signed copies of a new book he launched on Monday. Property tycoon Philip Ng and hotelier Ong Beng Seng have pledged $5 million and $2 million respectively. My respects to Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and hope he will continue to leave his mark as the Father of Singapore. http://www.straitstimes.com/Breaking...ry_738927.html

29-11-2011, 08:26 AM	#6
AngryBird Dragon Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 594	The other time, Dr Ng said something to remove mother tounge or to reduce the importance of mother tounge in education system and led to an outcry of some citizens. Then Dr Ng and PM apologised. Is it because Garment import many PRCs so now mother tounge is important so that the PRC kids to do well in school? Last edited by AngryBird; 29-11-2011 at 08:28 AM.

29-11-2011, 10:07 AM	#9
aromatix Dragon Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 2,330	laudable initiative from LKY. at his age n stage, he could just kick off his shoes in retirement. he's putting his money where his mouth is and pressing on with his convictions. salute. thanks on behalf of my kidz. Last edited by aromatix; 29-11-2011 at 10:08 AM.

28-11-2011, 10:53 PM	#2
therat Arofanatic Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 279	My question is why now?

29-11-2011, 01:14 AM	#4
shawnchen89 Senior Dragon Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 3,406	knn my time why dun have??? now then he realise that his speak english campaign cocked up the Chinese population big time liao? Or now then he realised China is becoming important?

29-11-2011, 01:25 AM	#5
BTGH Dragon Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 808	not much time left to right the wrongs???

29-11-2011, 09:09 AM	#7
Guppies Onli Dragon Join Date: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,457	If I have his weath, I would have donated more and much earlier too. Question is how to use such a fund and ease of access or othewise. Juz like the many funds that we have now, unless one is very very very poor, then can utilise it. Those neither here nor there one are the ones that die first.

29-11-2011, 09:46 AM	#8
therat Arofanatic Join Date: Jun 2004 Posts: 279	May be Cheng hu don't want to spent the money. Sent from my GT-I9100 using Tapatalk

29-11-2011, 10:38 AM	#10
maverick1170 Arofanatic Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 81	better late then never at all.

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