Kudos for educators who go the extra mile for students
AUG 23, 2004
Kudos for educators who go the extra mile for students
PRINCIPALS and teachers who go the extra mile so their students get the most out of their time in school came in for special mention last night.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said: 'Teachers have a most challenging job.' They not only have to teach, mark assignments and run the school, but they also have to know every student and provide individualised coaching where needed.
'Good, dedicated principals and staff are the critical X-factor' in schools, he said, citing examples to show how they have made a difference in their students' lives.
Two schools found ways for their students to learn through new experiences.
Tanjong Katong Girls' School put its Secondary 3 cohort through a five-day camp at the Outward Bound School so they could experience the ruggedness of camping life, challenge one another and test their leadership skills.
Hougang Primary School bought old pianos and placed them around the school so some students could play and others listen to them.
Some students of Shuqun Secondary School went to see their principal as their schoolmates visited a nearby video-game centre and mixed with bad company. They asked for an empty classroom, got the school to buy a PlayStation and an Xbox set, and now run an entertainment centre in the school.
By encouraging them, the school taught them initiative.
Mr Lee also spoke of the importance of helping weaker students believe in themselves. He highlighted the example of a student from the Normal (Technical) stream, who was served a home quarantine order during last year's Sars outbreak.
He spent the 10 days at home computerising his hawker father's accounts.
'So Normal (Technical) doesn't mean bodoh (stupid). These are kids with some aptitude,' he said.
Naval Base Secondary School helped some students from the Normal (Academic) stream sell their artwork to raise money for 20 of them to go on a field trip to Paris.
They competed for the 20 places and one of the benchmarks was to quit smoking.
'Such an experience changes the students' lives,' said Mr Lee.
It is these activities that build character, team spirit and leadership, as well as root students to the country.
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Copyright @ 2004 Singapore Press Holdings. All rights reserved.
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