RECOGNISING CHILDREN OF MINDEF AND SAF PERSONNEL FOR ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE
PHOTO // Benjamin Lee
Doing well in school used to earn a pat on the back and for the lucky few, a treat from their parents. For children of Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) personnel who excel in school, recognition for their efforts extend further.
For the first time, Excellence and Merit awards from the SAF Central Welfare Fund (CWF) were presented to children of MINDEF and SAF personnel who have done well in various aspects of their studies.
Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General (LG) Neo Kian Hong gave out 120 such awards at The Chevrons on 18 Jun, which included a personally signed card.
"This initiative demonstrates the SAF's core values on care and concern for service personnel welfare, which extends to family members who have done well," said Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Chua Kee Leng, who was at the event to see his daughter Ovidia receive a Merit award.
This view was echoed by his daughter, a Secondary Two student at St Margaret's Secondary School: "I'm so glad that my efforts are being recognised not just by my family but also the SAF that my father serves in."
"Although my father is often busy with his duties, he always tries to find time and organise outings for the family, as well as being there to offer his help when I need it. He inspires me to do well in my co-curricular activities too. I can see that he wants me to have a balance between work and play, just like in the SAF!" added Ovidia.
Recipients for both award categories must be within the top 10 percent of their level and stream in school. And on top of having stellar grades, Excellence award winners also have to contribute to the community and demonstrate good leadership qualities as well as significant achievement in their co-curricular activities before they are considered for the award. Only 13 Excellence awards were given out.
LG Neo also gave out SAF CWF Bursary awards during the ceremony. These awards are for children of MINDEF and SAF personnel who come from lower-income families.
For Nur Azira Binte Rabu, the money will come in useful as she intends to buy some books for school and save a portion of the cash for a rainy day.
"I want to thank MINDEF and the SAF for helping families like mine," said her father, Mr Rabu Bin Mohammad Salleh, Food and Beverage Manager Supply Hub West.
The Excellence awards range from $400 for recipients in Primary Four to Six, to $600 for recipients studying in the Institute of Technical Education (ITE). The Merit awards range from $250 for recipients in Primary Two to Three, to $550 for recipients currently enrolled in ITE.
The Bursary awards range from $300 for recipients in the lower primary levels to $2,600 for an undergraduate in a recognised local tertiary institution. Previously, Bursary awards were only given up to pre-tertiary education levels for eligible children.
Of the 381 awards, 261 were bursaries. A total of about $245,000 was disbursed, with the bulk going towards helping children of MINDEF and SAF personnel from lower-income families to continue and excel in their academic pursuits.
