Ministers in the making?

That headline from a press release caught so much media attention today, when my team launched our all-new Singapore Polytechnic Outstanding Talent (SPOT) Programme, at the SP Scholars Award ceremony.

Journalists from the local press came agog. Requests for interviews abound. And my scholars became overnight superstars :) albeit temporarily. They make news for being outstanding academically and for being handpicked to undergo a special talent development programme at SP that aims to nurture them into leaders of the future through a three-year structured enrichment curriculum.

But I can't help asking myself, why all that attention?
The provocative headline from the press release issued to announce the award ceremony and launch SPOT?

Must be.

It must also be because, in this time of uncertainty and tragic news, we need heroes and stellar achievements to be celebrated, and good, heartwarming stories to listen to, watch or read.

And there were heartwarming stories aplenty among the SP Scholars.

Many came from very humble backgrounds. One boy watches closely the current US presidential elections and spews intelligent debate on why neither Clinton nor Obama is any good. He doesn't talk politics with his friends because "none are interested". He debates with his father instead - who happens to be a hawker.

Another boy dreams of being a pilot - a dream that fuels his frequent late-night studying for his aeronautical engineering course. For now though, the shy boy doesn't even have a driving licence. But he dreams on, egged on by his father, who is a company driver. Mum is a housewife.

Another heartwarming story: a teenage girl from India makes it on her own here, without her parents, just so she could study in Singapore's competitive education system. That was 10 years ago. Over the years, she does well, gets hooked on debating and goes on to be a winner at the national Tamil debating championships, and is now an SP Scholar. Her mother has since come over to provide nurture. Her indomitable spirit shines through when you talk to her. In her own words, she loves debating and debates about everything and anything under the sun. Is Singapore ready for her, she asks?

Oh, yet another wonderful story is that of a girl who came from an Institute of Technical Education (ITE) , often dismissed as the school of no-hopers, but went on to prove everybody wrong. After her 'O' level results were released in February, she could pick any top junior college to go into, but she chose SP instead, as she believes the learning environment suits her. She has a quiet confidence about her.

But the most gratifying story must be that of this one girl who has no parents; who, as the eldest in the family, looks out for her two younger siblings, works part-time to support herself while juggling her studies and co-curricular activities. Against all odds, she aces her exams. She remains invulnerable. And stands dignified, seeking no pity nor special favours. Amazing.

By the way, long gone are the days when our top junior colleges (JCs) become automatic choices for Singapore's creme de la creme. Polytechnics are grabbing about 50% of those who can qualify for JCs. Just at SP, some 65% of the 4,000-5,000 new entrants score 5-15 points at their 'O' level exams.

For the scholars, at such an early stage, their best is yet to be.

Today, at their award ceremony, I looked on like a proud parent. I know most of their stories. They have not proven anything yet at SP. Currently they only have their past record of achievements - which could easily be erased. Today marks a new beginning. It's a new blank canvas.

But as they begin their journey at SP, as their lecturer and coordinator of the talent development programme, I finally feel the burden of what it truly means to be an educator. Raw gems, these kids are. Full of potential. At the same time, full of hope for what this programme can deliver for them. Can we turn them into enlightened and informed leaders of tomorrow, as promised?

Their parents came to today's award ceremony by the way, also with hope emblazoned across their faces.