154media's video: PM Lee s National Day Rally 2012 - 26Aug2012 Full Length

Building a better home for all, in a future Singapore that Singaporeans wish to see. This theme ran through the 2012 National Day Rally which Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong delivered on Sunday, 26 August. For the first time, the annual event saw three invited speakers - Minister for Education Heng Swee Keat; Senior Minister of State for Education, and Information, Communications and the Arts Lawrence Wong; and Minister of State for Community Development, Youth and Sports Halimah Yacob. Earlier, in his National Day Message delivered on 8 August, PM Lee shared that Singapore must always offer hope of a better future, creating opportunities for all. 1) Brighter Hopes Housing Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore must always offer hope of a better future. He said if we all work together, we can confidently tackle our problems and improve our lives. On housing, Mr Lee said the Ministry of National Development is looking into whether singles will be eligible to buy flats directly from the Housing and Development Board. Education Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said education is Singapore's most important long-term investment in its people, and it's a key response to the changing world. Singapore will have two more universities, bringing the total number of national universities to six. Mr Lee also pledged greater support for part-time students by making more part-time places available. Pre-School Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong recognised that there's a need to improve quality of pre-school education. Mr Lee said the government will play a more active role and invest substantial resources in pre-schools. Following suggestions from observers and experts to centralise government efforts in regulating the sector, the government will set up a new statutory board to oversee pre-school education. Watch Video Watch Video Watch Video 2) Bigger Heart Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said Singapore has worked hard to build an inclusive society that takes care of the elderly and needy. Aside from social welfare, Mr Lee said a big-hearted Singapore also means knowing how to treat one another right thereby calling for more mutual respect and understanding. He said Singapore may be a small island, but it cannot be small-minded and its people must also be gracious and warm towards each other, and towards others. Watch Video 3) Our Best Home Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that it's time to look at paid paternity leave. And to help defray medical costs of raising children, the government is looking at a Medisave account for children at birth. He also shared that couples with children could also get priority when applying for a HDB flat. Watch Video 4) Conclusion Wrapping up his rally speech, the Prime Minister urged Singaporeans to work together to create a better nation where we look to our shared future with confidence and Hope; treating one another and others too with a big Heart; and building our best Home for our children and grandchildren. www.channelnewsasia.com/nd2012/