We heartily agree with Dr Ng that parents should not be deprived of the freedom to choose from a vast array of preschool choices that can best help their child develop communication and social skills.

MMI prides itself on being able to successfully impart key communication and social skills to the children in its schools that in turn develop poise and confidence among the youngsters. We also teach them about the importance of compassion and to be civic-minded, traits that seem to be lacking in today's youth. We have also set up teacher training centres to upgrade, improve and enhance the pedagogical standards of pre-school teaching and education in Singapore. In utilizing Singapore's world-class educational environment to refine our cutting edge teaching methodology and curriculum, we can then replicate our successful business and teaching model, as we grow and expand to the countries in the region.  

Singapore is an excellent platform to nurture and showcase the finest in education - all levels - from pre-school to tertiary and post-tertiary education.

We are also continuously broadening and deepening our educational offerings to become a world-class education destination that is global both in institutional composition and student mix. This has given current and potential students alike a wider selection of quality education options that range from business, wealth management, and digital animation to arts and fashion, culinary arts, luxury brand management and hospitality.

MMI - being a global leader in Montessori pre-school education - has taken the global schoolhouse initiative to market - since two decades ago.

We have an international brand - Modern Montessori - and we have today expanded our presence to more than 70 locations worldwide.

To date, MMI has groomed more than 30,000 pre-schoolers worldwide, inculcating in them with the values and knowledge and global perspective, that are a hallmark of MMI. We not only teach the students - but we also train the teachers - as we take a holistic approach towards delivering high standards of global pre-school education - which increasingly discerning parents all over the world expect to have for their children.

We believe that it is also a great leap forward for the Singapore government to launch the new EduTrust scheme at this time.

EduTrust - under the aegis of the Council of Private Education (CPE) can serve only to enhance and improve the reputation of Singapore's private education sector. The scheme is calibrated such as to allow new players to enter and develop, while providing incentives for market players to raise standards over time. This will in turn, enhance the industry's unique selling proposition. 

Drawing inward investment from reputable foreign institutions and attracting foreign students to study locally has its limitations however, given our scarce and finite land resource. To fully leverage the strength and reputation of our world-class brand of education, local education institutions must venture abroad to set up campuses overseas, to grow an external wing for the education sector.

Asia is a large heterogeneous region is comprised of countries that are in different stages of political, social and economic development. This in turn provides opportunities and presents challenges for local companies who want to expand abroad. But companies that are able to seize these opportunities as they present themselves, will be poised to capitalize and benefit from the latent growth potential of these fledgling economies.    

For instance, Modern Montessori International (MMI), of which I am the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) recently signed an agreement with the Vietnam Singapore Industrial Park JV Co. Ltd (VSIP), to build pre-schools in Vietnam. We feel there is a lot of potential in the country and we will progressively expand our operations, as the underlying demand is very great.  

Ground-breaking ceremony of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP). The event was officiated by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Vietnam Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.	Dr Chandroo signing the Memorandum of Understanding with Mr Huynh Quang Hai, Executive Director / Chief Executive Officer, VSIP JSC

 
In closing, let me conclude by saying that education isn't just a commercial enterprise. One must be passionate about engaging the young, eager minds of students, affording them a stimulating environment to nurture their gifts and talents and influencing them to be a positive force for change in their communities and society.      

To quote the esteemed statesman, Nelson Mandela, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

We would like to take this opportunity to impart a special new year wish to all :

Happy Are Those Who Dream Dreams And Those Who Can Pay The Price To Make Them Come True;

Nothing Is Pre-Destined;

Obstacles Of The Past Can Become The Gateway To Your Future;

May 2010 And The Year Of The Tiger Shine Bright On You And Help You Fly Towards The Brightest Future!