Remarks by Minister for Law and Second Minister for Home Affairs Edwin Tong SC at Commencement of Global Schools Group’s 25th Anniversary Celebrations

His Excellency Dr Shilpak Ambule, High Commissioner of India to Singapore

Distinguished Excellencies

Mr Atul Temurnikar, Chairman and Co-Founder of Global Schools Foundation (Singapore)

Distinguished guests of our various leaders in the community

Friends

Ladies and gentlemen

18 September 2026 Posted in Speeches

Introduction

1.                 Good morning. It is a real pleasure and privilege to be here to launch this very special milestone – the commencement of the Global Schools Group (GSG)’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

2.                 I would like to start by warmly congratulating the entire GSG family – your founders, leaders, teachers, staff, alumni, parents, and students. I am really very happy to be here, celebrating the occasion with all of you.

Journey with GSG/GIIS

3.                 As some of you know, my own relationship with GSG, or more specifically the Global Indian International School (GIIS), goes back some years. A little more than 10 years ago, in 2015, I became the grassroots adviser to Joo Chiat. When I first came to Joo Chiat, GIIS was one of the very first institutions and partners in the community that I was introduced to. I really had a very warm reception.

4.                 Over the years, I got to know the school better – its leaders, teachers, students, and parents. They are one of our partners in the community. We work together, we do events, and we have occasions to come together.

5.                 I was just telling Atul just a short while ago that I have always enjoyed the Indian fine arts put up by the school. We take care to try and invite them to our events as much as possible because we know how popular their dances and performances are, and they always oblige us.

6.                 I have on occasion visited the campus, joined you at school events, and met many of your students and parents on my walkabouts. I must say that GIIS has always been a regular and enthusiastic participant, and active contributor to our many community activities.

7.                 But one thing always stood out for me: It is the quality of the students, parents, teachers, and all the staff. Very often, whenever there was an opportunity to collaborate, come together or contribute, GIIS always asked, “What can we do? How can we partner with you? What can we bring to the table?”

8.                 I want to give you two examples, which I remember very well. The first was in the middle of COVID-19, when we had social distancing, and we could not come together. GIIS had very nice, large school premises in the middle of Siglap. Many residents said, “It has been a couple of weeks since the school field was used. We are worried about dengue. We are worried about the premises being unkept.”

9.                 I had a quick word with the school, and in no time, they said, “We have to be good neighbours. If residents are concerned about it, even though we have not used it for a while and we maintain it regularly, let’s put their minds to rest. We will commit to regular maintenance, and look after school premises well.” It was a very small step, probably a very simple one, but one I thought spoke volumes about the care and consideration for the community.

10.             Another example is Yarrow Park. Siglap is an estate with very small and narrow roads, built many years ago. There were not many public spaces, and so I mooted the idea of a public space to Atul. I asked, “Can we take a little bit of your school premises and turn it into a park for the community?” Almost without hesitation, Atul said, “Yes. How do we make this work?” In the end, we took up more than two basketball court size of the school. We then worked with National Parks Board (NParks) and Singapore Land Authority (SLA), and that two basketball court size land has now become Yarrow Park.

11.             Today, it is loved by the residents. It is adorned with greenery, and it is a place of tranquillity. It has allowed us to create something historic. It is not just making history, but leaving a legacy behind for our residents.

12.             These two stories are my takeaway from the relationship. They best embody the way in which they have operated – generosity in spirit, always wanting to be part of the community, and really being able to be counted upon to do much more. It showed to me that GIIS was not just a school that was located by chance in Joo Chiat. You saw yourselves as being part of Joo Chiat, and part of the fabric of our community. You were prepared to share what you had so that the wider community could benefit. And indeed, they have.

Singapore-India Relations

13.             In many ways, this story reflects the larger relationship between Singapore and India as well. GSG, of course, has strong Indian roots. But its global journey began here in Singapore, and over the past 25 years, it has grown alongside the deepening friendship between our two countries.

14.             Last year, Singapore and India marked 60 years of diplomatic relations. In fact, we are bound by history. Shortly after we were discovered by Sir Stamford Raffles in 1819, Singapore was administered from Kolkata for nearly five decades after that. After our independence in 1965, India was one of the first to recognise the status of Singapore.

15.             So it is a very deep relationship that we have, bound by history and working across many areas – from trade and investment, to technology, skills, sustainability, connectivity and defence.

16.             But to me, the relationship has been less about agreements between governments or numbers on a balance sheet, such as trading surplus or deficit. That relationship ultimately rests on people. It is the most valuable commodity and resource we have in both our countries.

17.             I have had the privilege of visiting India many times over the years, most recently in July this year. I always enjoy going back. There is the warmth of the people, the extraordinary buzz and energy, the deep history and culture, and, of course, the food.

18.             People often ask whether I prefer North or South Indian cuisine. I would say both, because I am Singaporean. As long as it is food, whether it is from Rajasthan, Keralam, Kolkata, or whether it is thosai, biryani or poori, I enjoy them all.

19.             But beyond the food, what makes the Singapore–India relationship special are the human connections. The Indian families who have made Singapore their home. The Singaporeans who live, work and do business in India. The students and professionals as well as entrepreneurs who move freely between our two countries. The friendships that have been built and nurtured over generations. And of course, institutions like GSG.

20.             GSG has remained proud of its Indian heritage. But at the same time, you have become very much a part of Singapore. The performances that we saw on stage earlier, as well as the strong alumni you have, deeply reflects that.

21.             Your classrooms today bring together young people from more than 40 nationalities, and I think there is something very Singaporean about that. We share that same quality to be outward looking, to be cosmopolitan, and to be welcoming of the world.

22.             Singapore has always drawn strength from people of different backgrounds coming together – multiculturalism, multiethnicity, diversity. There is a strong degree of interoperability and interrelation among them. But at the same time, each proud of where they came from. Something unique about themselves, but coming to the table and being one common identity. Stronger than the sum of our parts, but retaining the value and quality of each of our parts.

23.             GSG reflects that very naturally: Indian in heritage, international in outlook, but very much at home in Singapore.

Looking Back at the First 25 Years and Looking Forward to the Next 25

24.             From that home in Singapore, GSG has achieved a great deal. What began here has grown into a global network. Today, GSG has 64 campuses across 11 countries, serving more than 45,000 students.

25.             Your students have done exceptionally well. I had the privilege of meeting some of the alumni earlier – from national athletes to young employees working in cutting-edge fintech firms and studying an MBA at the same time. I think the alumni have done well, and I believe there is very much for the entire GSG family to be very proud of.

26.             Over the years, as a grassroots adviser in the community, I had an opportunity to see all of you up close – taking part in our events, contributing to the community, being part of our national day, being part of our social events, being part of our sporting events. We integrate well because we do things on an everyday basis. It is not just on special occasions, but every day in the way we work, live, and play.

27.             You see much of what has been achieved in 25 years, but what about the next 25 years? Of course, I hope GSG continues to grow and do well in the next 25 years and beyond.

28.             But more than that, I hope that you continue to hold on to the values that have brought you well so far. Pride in your roots, together with an openness to the world. A desire to do your best but also with humility and kindness. And the confidence to pursue your ambitions to the max, but also with that natural instinct to look out for one another, to make sure that no one is left behind on that journey.

29.             Because ultimately, what matters is not only what a school achieves, but what its individual students carry with them when they leave the school. The values they hold. The friendships that they nurture and that they build. The way they treat each other. The contributions to the community that they go on to make. To strive for excellence, certainly — but also to stay grounded, to care for others, and to always have an eye out for giving something back and paying it forward.

30.             If GSG can continue to nurture those values, I think the next 25 years and beyond will be every bit as exciting and as successful as the last 25 years.

Conclusion

31.             So let me end by simply saying a big thank you. Thank you for the warmth and the friendship you have shown to me and to my community in Joo Chiat and East Coast over the years, And for the support GSG and GIIS has constantly and generously been giving to us at the Joo Chiat community. I look forward to that friendship continuing, and to working with all of you for many more years to come.

32.             Happy 25th anniversary, GSG, as well as Global Schools Foundation. I wish all of you the very best. Thank you very much once again for having me here, and I look forward to reading about and learning about your exploits over the next few years and more. Thank you very much.

Last updated on 18 September 2026