NCMP Lina Chiam's Speech on Lifelong Learning

Madam Chair,

Life Long learning is the pursuit of knowledge for either personal or professional reasons which enhances social inclusion, active citizenship and personal development but self sustainity rather than for competiveness and employability.

Life long learning can also be seen as something that takes place on an ongoing basis from our daily interactions with others and the world around us.

As Singaporeans are living longer these days they can make use of their added years in ways that please them especially when they have time on their hands.

If their counterparts in Hong Kong who embrace lifelong learning and can enter the classroom, there is no reason why our elderly should not emulate them if they have the interest, energy and desire to live a more enriching and fulfilling life through continuing education.

For seniors who for various reasons who had to stop their studies during their younger days, learning opportunities for them will be most welcome and should   be made available to them.

Learning opportunities should also be provided to needy elderly in recognition of their contributions of the generation who built up Singapore who have survived difficult times in the past but have advantage of life experience.

Inter-generation learning in class is unique and beneficial in that both the younger students and the senior ones can learn from each other through interactions and also to overcome apprehensiveness with each other in the class room.

We are living in a globalized world and with constant scientific and technological innovation, some seniors can even pursue courses of higher learning on line either in homes or offices.

I am heartened to note that Singapore is studying the feasibility of the Hong Kong Scheme for the elderly to re enter the classroom where the seniors can take classes in participating universities and schools during the weekends and at night ….. for tertiary education or life skills, such as basic computer use and crafts.