Introduction
1 Thank you for inviting me to your annual parade as the National Police Cadet Corps (NPCC) celebrates its 50th anniversary. At this jubilee anniversary, NPCC can stand proud of its achievements and progress as the largest school uniformed group in Singapore with 155 school units and more than 20,000 members.
The Growth of NPCC
NPCC in its early years
2 NPCC has come a long way. When it first started in 1959, it had only 30 cadets at Bartley Secondary School. Though small, there were important reasons for its setup and even more significant goals it wanted to achieve. In 1959, Singapore had just gained self-government but political strife and racial tensions threatened a nation in the making. The NPCC was set up to allow students of various social, ethnic and religious backgrounds to come together. As they participated in joint activities, it would bring them closer and promote racial and religious understanding and harmony. The NPCC also served to bridge the gap between the people and the Police Force so as to foster better relations and cooperation.
3 The goals of NPCC were noble but to ensure success, NPCC also had to constantly evolve to remain attractive to students. To reach out to more students, new programmes such as outdoor camping, drills, life-saving courses, weapon training, and visits to police stations and establishments were added. These activities, which taught cadets to be responsible, resourceful, and disciplined, were quick to attract the interest of youths. By the end of the first decade, membership had risen to almost 7,000.
A progressive organisation
4 Today, NPCC is of course a much larger organisation but the challenge to remain relevant, forward looking and true to its founding values continues. Where needed, new initiatives must be put into place to respond to changing needs and expectations and to provide more opportunities to develop character, leadership and team spirit amongst its cadets.
5 One such programme is the Police Youth Ambassador (PYA) Programme, which aims to develop cadets’ thinking, communication and collaboration skills. Jointly initiated in 2006 by the NPCC, the Ministry of Education and the Singapore Police Force, the 3-year programme also raises the profile of NPCC youths as Police Ambassadors and fosters close bonding between the Police and NPCC youths.
6 Under the PYA Programme, cadets pick up skills in managing projects and problem-solving as they work closely with the Police and grassroots agencies. They are exposed to real problems affecting the safety and security of schools as well as the local communities. Last year, some NPCC cadets and cadet leaders witnessed on separate occasions a snatch theft and a shop theft. True to the NPCC values, they demonstrated public spiritedness by courageously assisting the Police to arrest the culprits. Their actions are indeed commendable.
7 Programmes like the PYA Programme offer valuable experiences to stretch cadets and will certainly be remembered and treasured as having a powerful impact in their formative school years.
8 The NPCC also introduced the Homefront Security Course to expose cadets to terrorism-related threats. This programme, the PYA and others like Total Defence, Civil Defence and National Education forge into our cadets at a young age, their responsibility to protect Singapore and instil in them a deeper sense of belonging.
9 NPCC’s success would not have been possible without the hard work and support of school principals, teachers, officers, parents and volunteers. Your effort is worthwhile as you see cadets transform into confident, capable and socially conscious young men and women.
NPCC Annual Parade 2009
10 Today, the NPCC also honours the outstanding achievements of its units. This year, 47 NPCC Units will receive the Gold Award for the 2008 Unit Overall Proficiency Award. Two schools deserve special mention. Maris Stella High School and Marsiling Secondary School have won the Gold Award for ten and five consecutive years respectively. They will be receiving the Unit Excellence Award and Outstanding Achievement Award respectively today for their consistency and dedication towards excellence. My warmest congratulations to the award recipients.
11 The NPCC Annual Parade is also an appropriate occasion when all NPCC members - cadets, cadet leaders, volunteers and officers - come together to renew their commitment to the founding values and goals of the NPCC. This is why you take the NPCC pledge of loyalty and dedication to the nation and the Corps.
Conclusion
12 In conclusion, I wish to commend all Principals, teacher officers, parents and volunteers for your commitment and dedication. Your support and encouragement is needed to help cadets realise their full potential in the Corps. To the cadets: make full use of opportunities during your time with the NPCC to gain knowledge and experience that will prove useful in your later years. I also want congratulate all officers and cadets involved in organising this Annual Parade for a job well done.
13 I am confident that the NPCC will continue its noble cause of “Moulding the Builders of a Safe and Secure Home”. I wish you continued success in your efforts to nurture caring and responsible citizens for Singapore.
14 Thank you.
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