900 South Woodlands Drive #06-01 Woodlands Civic Centre Singapore Tel: Fax:

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1 900 South Woodlands Drive #06-01 Woodlands Civic Centre Singapore Tel: Fax: MEDIA ADVISORY MEDIA ADVISORY MEDIA ADVISORY MEDIA ADVISORY 10 March 2016 To News Editor 1,000 NEEDY STUDENTS TO PURSUE ASPIRATIONS WITH 10 TIMES MATCHED SAVINGS THROUGH NORTH WEST CDC S NEW INITIATIVE WITH MAYBANK Matched savings will take the form of training credits of up to $600,000 which students can use for talent development Joint 3Ps Partnership - North West CDC, Maybank, Schools and community clubs/centres (CCs) to inculcate good savings habits and passion for learning among needy students A 2014 survey conducted by North West CDC of 150 needy children and 70 student care professionals within the North West District showed that over 60% of needy students are not spending their free time efficiently and most often without parental supervision. Through the survey, 82% of needy students expressed interest in pursuing a hobby but lacked the opportunity to do so. To further delve into the reason why needy students are not already doing so, student care professionals ranked lack of financial means as the most important deterrent, followed by lack of support from parents and then lack of awareness of available courses. Comparatively, their peers or classmates who are better-off financially are able to pursue extracurricular interests to develop their passion.

2 2 In a bid to provide a platform for needy students to increase their social mobility by inculcating the values on good savings habits and giving them the opportunity to pursue their dream courses, the North West Community Development Council (CDC) and Maybank will jointly organise the Maybank Star North West programme, supported by schools and Community Clubs/Centres (CCs), to match students savings by 10 times (capped at $600 per student per year) in the form of training credits for students to sign up for courses at community clubs/centres (CCs) to pursue their interests. 3 Hosted by Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West District, the will be officiated by Guestof-Honour Mdm Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament and Adviser to Marsiling GROs. Media Arrival is at 2.40pm. It will be held on Saturday, 12 March 2016 at Republic Polytechnic (Agora Hall 1). About 300 primary school students and their parents will attend the Launch of Maybank Star North West. 4 Mdm Halimah Yacob, Speaker of Parliament and Adviser to Marsiling GROs, says, It is heartening to see more corporate and community partners coming forward to support the needy students within the Marsiling Division. The strong collective effort not only provides needy students with equal access to educational opportunities, but also promotes character building by encouraging students to save for their dream courses. This is a very meaningful initiative and I hope to promote more of such give-back spirit within the community. 5 Dr Teo Ho Pin, Mayor of North West District, says, The launch of Maybank Star North West programme is one such good example of how North West CDC responds to ground needs and connects the corporate and community partners together, pooling resources to do good for the less privileged. We thank partners for their contributions and I hope to encourage more corporate and community partners to come forward to support the needy students, increasing their social mobility. 6 Mr Allen Ng, Deputy CEO, Maybank Singapore, says, We are happy to support this programme, which we believe can spur underprivileged kids to cultivate a saving habit, and in return get the opportunity to develop their talents through enrichment courses. This is a type of financial inclusion that helps to narrow the rich-poor divide.

3 7 Close to 200 needy students from Jiemin Primary School, Xishan Primary School, North View Primary School and Marsiling division will kickstart the programme in March Each student will be encouraged to save up to $60 a year to earn $600 worth of training credits for their favourite courses at Marsiling Community Centres or Community Centres/Clubs (CCs) within the Nee Soon GRC. 8 The range of courses will include interest-based courses such as arts, dance, martial arts, and music as well as enrichment-based courses such as tuition, speech and drama, phonic, abacus etc. 9 You and your photographer / camera crew are cordially invited to the. The details of the event are as follows: Date : Saturday, 12 March 2016 Media arrival : 2.40pm Venue : Republic Polytechnic (Agora Hall 1) GOH : Mdm Halimah Yacob Speaker of Parliament Adviser to Marsiling GROs Please RSVP Swee Fong at HP: , wong_swee_fong@pa.gov.sg by Friday, 11 March 2016, 5.00pm.

4 Enclosed: Annex A Programme for About North West Community Development Council (CDC) Established on 24 November 2001, the North West Community Development Council (CDC) functions as the local administrator of the North West District; initiating, planning and managing community programmes to promote community bonding and social cohesion. Being closer to the ground, the CDC will be more attuned and responsive to the specific needs of our communities. We strive to align our activities and efforts with our mission: (a) Assisting the needy To help the less fortunate through local assistance programmes (b) Bonding the people To bond the community through projects & programmes to bring them closer to one another (c) Connecting the community To develop strategic partnerships with corporate and community partners to better serve our residents Contact Person for Media: Wong Swee Fong (Ms) Manager (Corporate Communications) North West Community Development Council Tel : HP : wong_swee_fong@pa.gov.sg

5 Annex A LAUNCH OF MAYBANK STAR NORTH WEST SATURDAY, 12 MARCH AT REPUBLIC POLYTECHNIC (AGORA HALL 1) PROGRAMME 2.00pm 2.40pm 2.55pm 3.00pm 3.10pm 3.15pm 3.20pm 4.00pm 5.00pm Registration Arrival of Media Arrival of Host Dr Teo Ho Pin Mayor of North West District Arrival of GOH Mdm Halimah Yacob Speaker of Parliament Adviser to Marsiling GROs Speech by GOH Media Doorstop Commencement of Financial Literacy Workshop Refreshment End of Programme