Speech by President Halimah Yacob at the SCGS 120th Anniversary Peranakan Night Dinner

Ms Jennie Chua, Chairman of SCGS Board of Directors

Ms Low Yoke Kiew, Zonal Director of Schools,

Mrs Eugenia Lim, Principal of SCGS

Alumnae, staff, and students of SCGS

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good evening. It is my pleasure to join you in celebrating Singapore Chinese Girls’ School’s 120th anniversary. This evening’s Peranakan Night Dinner is the culmination of the school’s year-long celebration.

The long history and rich heritage of SCGS started with the vision of great leaders and courageous change-makers. It is the first all-girls’ school in Singapore set up by locals. Founders Sir Song Ong Siang and Dr Lim Boon Keng, together with a group of Peranakan gentlemen, recognised the importance of formal education for girls. At a time when most Asian families did not believe girls should go to school, Dr Lim said, “Might I remind you that our wives will become the mothers of our children and hold in their hands the power that will shape the destiny of our race…give our women the same opportunities of intellectual and physical exercise.” Very wise words indeed. 

Today, we remember and honour their courage and determination in pursuing inclusivity and offering formal education to girls 120 years ago.

Singapore has come a long way since, in terms of gender inclusivity. According to the United Nations’ Gender Inequality Index, we are currently ranked 12th out of 160 countries based on how well we do in gender equality. We have women in the top echelons of society and industry, and even in traditionally male-dominated fields like the military and engineering. Of course, there are still areas that we should continue to do better in. While the percentage of women filling board positions in listed companies had doubled from 7.5% in 2014 to 15.2% in 2018, this is still lower than most countries known for gender equality. We also have significantly fewer females than males engaging in entrepreneurial activities. If we fail to provide an environment where girls aspire to greater heights, and are equipped and supported to pursue their aspirations through their choices and actions, we will not be maximising our potential as a nation.

As an alumnus of the school, I am proud that SCGS has provided access to quality education for generations of girls, guiding them to the right values and competencies to fulfil their dreams and be the courageous change-makers who contribute meaningfully to society. From Elizabeth Sam who helped develop the Asian dollar market in Singapore, to Yvette Cheak who spent decades empowering girls in the Girl Guides’ movement, to Monique Heah who manages the Singapore para-equestrian team, to Sonita Jeyapathy who is honing the legal skills of law undergraduates, we have many examples of our “kim geks” making a difference in society, in many different fields of work, having been empowered by the holistic education at SCGS.

This evening, I am happy to launch the commemorative book ‘Nearer the Sky – Pieces of Jade and Gold II’, which has many more stories of SCGS graduates who exemplify the school values of Sincerity, Courage, Generosity and Service, who pursue their passions to improve the lives of others. I hope that all readers will be inspired to also bring about positive change in their communities.

One recent example is the conservation of 37 Emerald Hill. Many of us have fond memories of this site, as it has been a touchstone across the batches and a reminder of the pioneering efforts of the first generation to create social good. A couple of weeks ago, URA shared the good news that it will be supporting the conservation of three buildings at 37 Emerald Hill. The support from our Alumnae and the wider public gave further meaning to this effort.

The school has continued to focus on anchoring girls in values.  I am heartened that this year, SCGS has chosen to express gratitude for its 120-year journey by focusing on serving and giving back to the community through the initiative ‘120 ways of giving back’.  Through this, our students brought cheer to homes for the elderly, collaborated with special needs communities, organised conferences for other schools to discuss global issues, and exercised creativity in raising funds for various organisations. I am especially glad to learn that many of these efforts are student-initiated.

I am also delighted that the school has chosen to raise funds for the President’s Challenge through its Family Day in February and tonight’s dinner. The concerted efforts of the SCGS family to give back speak volumes of the school’s love for and deep commitment to the nation. On behalf of all beneficiaries, thank you for enabling President’s Challenge to meet the changing needs of the vulnerable in Singapore.

In closing let me congratulate SCGS once again on your 120th anniversary and wish you many more successful years of educating and empowering girls, so that more women can continue to lead and serve meaningfully in all fields. Together, we can create a Singapore where every young lady can fulfil her potential, and contribute to the future of Singapore.

Thank you.