Five teachers receive President’s Award

SINGAPORE: Five teachers have been honoured with the President’s Award for Teachers for their dedication to the profession and innovation in teaching.

They received their awards from President Tony Tan Keng Yam at the Istana on Friday evening.

Some students call 35—year—old Mdm Irene Tan a "fairy godmother", for the care and concern she showers on them.

Mdm Tan from Telok Kurau Primary School said many of her students are from broken families, so she tries to reach out to them.

"My pupils actually write to me... They also write ad hoc letters to me whenever they face any problems. I tell them, the minute you come into my class, I treat you as my own children and I will do anything for you. And of course in this case, it is to reach out to them emotionally before we achieve the common goal of attaining better results," she said.

In the classroom, Mdm Tan inspires students to learn about science, through activities such as magic shows.

Mr Gejendran Krishnan from Geylang Methodist Secondary School is one teacher who firmly believes in the value of community service.

He organised fund—raising projects to Malacca and Cambodia for students in his Normal Academic and Normal Technical classes — so as to motivate them.

"I ask provoking questions (like) ’What exactly did you see? Why were these pupils wanting to study even though they were in such a state?’ When you start probing into these questions with the students, they tend to self—realise how fortunate they are to be living in Singapore. And they realise that birthright is not theirs to determine," he said.

Heartened with the changes, the school has also introduced the programme to students in the Express stream.

The other teachers honoured with the Award are: Ms Susan Koh Su—Cheng from Da Qiao Primary School; Madam Anwara Khatun Moklis Khan from Haig Girls’ School; and Mr Yap Boon Chien from Tanjong Katong Girls’ School.

— CNA/cc