Jackie Chan Tells S'pore Students They're "Lucky" They Don't Get Hit Like He Did

More than 900 students at Pei Chun Public School had a very special guest at their assembly this morning (Jul 7): martial arts legend Jackie Chan.

The 72-year-old star, who was at the Toa Payoh school to meet students and its wushu community, reflected on his gruelling childhood training — and why he believes today's children are "lucky".

"You're lucky now," Jackie told the students in Mandarin.

"Back then, when we were punished, we really got hit.”

The action star compared the strict discipline of his childhood with that of today's students, saying that teachers now can't even hit students "a little".

“You can sue the teacher,” he said.

"If you achieve good results today, it's because of your own hard work. Back then, if we didn't train hard or put in the effort, our teachers would beat us with a cane.”

But Jackie wasn't suggesting that the old ways were better.

Instead, he urged students to work hard, persevere and never stop dreaming.

"You must always have dreams," he said.

"Your dreams may not necessarily come true. But without dreams, you'll never succeed.”