李显龙总理表示，学校必须创造机会让来自不同社会背景的学生交流，这是重要的。这么一来，才可以打破社会隔阂，消除刻板观念，建立相互了解与长远的关系。他以国初为例说，国初学生来自139所小学和80所中学，社会背景广泛，涵盖各个族群。
李显龙总理昨天（17日）出席国家初级学院50周年庆。总理也是国初的校友，他表示，国初是本地首个向所有人敞开升学管道的初院，也没有同小学或中学有附属关系，入学标准并不单看成绩，也考虑学生的领导潜能和其他素质。
李显龙总理说：“国家初级学院反映了新加坡理想的教育体系，提倡开放和包容，学生怀抱伟大梦想、努力向上并追逐卓越。学校也栽培教师并拥有活跃的校友团。学校也致力于帮助社区内有需要的人。”
李显龙表示，学校保持对学术卓越的关注固然重要，但成绩并非人生的全部，学生可通过多种途径取得成功。
国初是新加坡设立的第一所初院，于1969年开办。李显龙总理指出，国初多年来通过各方式鼓励来自清寒背景的优秀学生报读。除了颁发助学金，学院也让小学生有机会参与国初寄宿计划，向学生领袖学习领导能力。国初还邀请各校学生参与数理工程等研究，培养他们的创新思维。
李显龙总理今天在facebook上留言，并上传三张国初周年庆照片：
Pleased to host New Zealand PM Jacinda Ardern on her first official visit to Singapore today.
We signed the Joint Declaration to establish the Singapore-New Zealand Enhanced Partnership (EP). This comprehensive and ambitious agreement will benefit our institutions, businesses and people. A key element is an upgrade to our FTA with NZ, the Upgrade of the Agreement between New Zealand and Singapore on a Closer Economic Partnership (ANZSCEP).
Also had a good discussion with PM Ardern on regional issues, of which there are many. We are natural partners – both small countries, sharing similar perspectives, e.g. the importance of the multilateral trade system and a rules-based international order. We do a lot together, including in research, defence and security, and tourism.
Am confident that our relations will continue to strengthen for many years to come!
– LHL
