Yat Sen School, 4th October, 2019
Bula, Good Morning, respected Board of Directors, Members of PTFA, Head Teacher, teachers, students and my dear friends.
Today, I join you to celebrate the most important Day in the global society- Confucius /Teacher/Children’s Day and to recognize the value of teaching mission. Before hearing the 2 winning Orators’ speeches and presenting the Oratory Prizes, I would like to praise Yat Sen School’s curriculum on this meaningful occasion.
When I first received this invitation, I was not surprised that Yat Sen School is joining other schools in Fiji and their counterparts worldwide in celebrating World Teacher’s Day on the 5th of October. What caught my eyes, however, was this school’s Grand Ceremony – the ceremony many of you sang and bowed in dedication to Confucius. What a splendid performance! Your teachers have taught you well about the significant role of Confucius in Chinese culture along with respect for teachers and rules of courtesy. (尊師重道)
One of Confusions well-known sayings, “education for all,’”(有教無類) 2570 years ago is now the norm, as we view universal education as a basic human right.
An educationist once said, “Teachers must be communicators, leaders, nurturers, accountant, readers, writers, mathematicians, historians, scientists, and disciplinarians. They deal everything from bathroom disasters to scrapt knees, fragile egos and the inability to comprehend fractions.” A great teacher has more influence in shaping an individual even more than his/her parents. We like to express our gratitude to your huge contribution to the children who will be our future leaders.
I leave you with a quote by a disciple of Confucius praising his teacher. "The more I have looked up to it the higher it appears. The more I try to penetrate into it the more impenetrable it seems to be. When it appears within grasp, it is already behind me. But the Master knows admirably how to lead people on step by step. He has enlarged my mind with an extensive knowledge of the arts, while guiding and correcting my judgment and taste. Thus I could not stop in my progress, even if I hope to." (仰之彌高， 鑽之彌堅。瞻之在前，忽焉在後。夫子循循善誘人，博我以文，約我以禮，欲罷不能。
Wish all teachers “Happy Teacher’s Day” for your hard work and all students ” Happy Children’s Day” for your bright future.
