Speech by Second Minister for Education Dr Maliki Osman at the Caring Teacher Awards (CTA) 2022 Presentation Ceremony

Ms Karen Wong,
Singapore Public and Government Affairs Director,
ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd,

Assoc Prof Liu Woon Chia,
Dean, Teacher Education, NIE,

Associate Professor Shanti Divaharan, Chairperson of the Caring Teacher Awards Organising Committee

Colleagues, students, ladies and gentlemen

1. I am very pleased to be here today at the presentation ceremony of the 14th Caring Teacher Awards. I am especially delighted to be with you in-person, after celebrating virtually for the previous ceremony.

Teachers: Inspiring Generations of Students

2. Every year when we celebrate Teachers' Day, as we did the start of this month, stories are shared about how our students' lives were touched by teachers, whether through the media, or even within our social groups, in gatherings or group chats with former classmates and friends.

1. All of us have stories of teachers who inspired us with their desire to nurture us to be the best version of ourselves. To many of our teachers, I am sure, it was the impact that their own teachers had in their growing up years that have inspired them to take this meaningful career path. These indelible imprints are hallmarks of the love and care teachers pour into their work.
2. I am reminded of the Ministry of Education's Teachers' Day tribute video for this year. The video tells the story of how teachers have inspired their students throughout the generations. Technology may change, from blackboards to laptops, from physical folders to digital classrooms. What stays constant, however, is what our teachers provide our students – the inculcation of values. This, they achieve, by being role models and sources of inspiration.
3. The video is entitled 'No Matter What', and only about two minutes long. So if you have not checked it out already, I encourage you to do so!

3. One of the core values that we seek to inculcate in our students as part of our 21st Century competences is 'Care': going beyond ourselves to act with kindness and compassion, contributing to the betterment of the community and the world.

1. Caring teachers lead by example to show care and concern to their students and colleagues, role modelling expected behaviour to students. They will discipline where necessary, with respect, to ensure their students understand the difference between the person and the behaviour. These exemplary behaviours of the teachers help to develop the core value of care and concern in our students.
2. It is in this spirit that the Caring Teacher Awards pay tribute to teachers who show care and concern for the holistic development of their students and go the extra mile to ensure that the students grow up to be confident and independent learners.

Honouring Exceptional Teachers Who Go the Extra Mile

4. Our teachers show care and concern in one way or another towards their students and colleagues, and gladly do so without expectations for rewards. I am heartened that our teachers continue to do so, even with increased demands in an ever-changing, challenging environment.

1. This year, as you have heard, more than 11,000 nominations from 239 schools were submitted. This is almost double the number from 2020, with about 6,000 nominees from 225 schools!
2. This is testament to the huge impact that our teachers have had, throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. All of you have shown care and concern for the holistic development of your students, despite the highly stressful situation bought about by the constantly changing health situation during the height of the pandemic – putting safe management measures in place, checking on the well-being of your students, and ensuring that learning continues to take place in spite of the dynamic situation. This has left a deep positive impact on your students and peers. This is truly inspirational. Thank you very much to all the teachers.
3. Every nominee today is an exemplary teacher! Out of these nominees, the teachers who have been selected for the Caring Teacher Award have gone the extra mile to exemplify and carry out the qualities, values and actions that touch the lives of their students and colleagues.

5. It is lovely to see a range of years of teaching experience among the ten award recipients.

1. Some have more than 15 to 20 years' experience, and we have one who has less than 5. This shows that teachers take pride in their role and have a strong sense of duty of care, regardless of their years of service, as their true service and passion comes from the heart.

6. From our national level award winners, we have Mrs Irene Say from Elias Park Primary School. After identifying the underlying issues facing her high-needs students, she initiated programmes to boost their self-confidence.

1. She worked with teachers and community partners to provide students with mentors and positive adult figures.
2. Through collaboration with relevant stakeholders, she secured after-school care at subsidised rates for disadvantaged students, easing the financial burden on their parents.

7. Mdm Zubaidah Binte Ahmat from Holy Innocents' Primary School, also received glowing testimonies from her colleagues on her work with high-needs students.

1. She harnesses technology and different learning activities to design differentiated lesson packages based on her students' needs.
2. She also works collaboratively with colleagues to ensure holistic development of her students and she checks in on students with family problems or issues with their peers.
3. To Mdm Zubaidah, each and every student counts. Through her perseverance, she was able to build the confidence of a highly introverted student, enabling her to lead a presentation in class. This improvement may seem small to others, but it meant the world to her student and her.

8. Another winner, Ms Nor Faatihah Binte Haron from Boon Lay Secondary School, showed sincerity in building a relationship with her students, which helped to resolve underlying issues, and bring out their best.

1. With more than 11 years of teaching experience, she embraces lifelong learning and attended relevant training to become a trained counsellor. As a school counsellor, she believes that she is able to support her students beyond teaching and learning, and to take care of their emotional growth and mental wellness as well.
2. I understand that she also seeks the help of other adults to share their life stories with her students, providing them with positive influences to overcome the challenges they face. She is truly an inspiration for continuous learning to stay adaptable to the needs of her students.

9. We also have Ms Li Qianyi from Clementi Town Secondary School, who leads the school's Outdoor Activities Club, or ODAC.

1. The majority of her nominations came from students who describe her as a patient teacher who is always ready with a listening ear, and she uses humour to engage and relate to them.
2. Ms Li believes that working with her students to co-create learning experiences will challenge them to learn, grow and gain a sense of self-efficacy. This is why she enables her students to plan and lead nature hikes and expeditions.
3. It is through her efforts that students develop a sense of agency in how they could thrive not only in school, but also at home and in their community.

10. From the National Commendation Award Winners, we have Ms Sandhya Perryn Singh from Victoria Junior College, who goes out of her way to ensure the well-being of her students.

1. As the teacher-in-charge of the VJC Choir, she took a personal interest in the physical and mental health of her students, making sure they had enough rest amid their busy schedules.
2. When a student was showing signs of being overstretched, Ms Sandhya spoke to teachers-in-charge of other activities that the student was involved in, to prevent the student from being overwhelmed.
3. When the student decided to adjust her academic load by dropping from H2 to H1 Chemistry, Ms Sandhya, although not a Chemistry teacher, spoke to school leaders in support of a student's choice, knowing this was the student had wanted.
4. She has truly touched the lives of those under her charge.

11. The award winners today have achieved the accolade of "Caring Teacher" because they have found their own unique ways to show their care, inspire their students, and make a difference in their lives.

1. They have shared their personal experiences, they have helped students to overcome personal difficulties, and most importantly, they have led by example.
2. They truly are an inspiration, not just to their students, their peers, but also, to the teaching fraternity. And we are grateful to have them with us, and to be able to honour their contributions.

Conclusion

12. I would like to thank NIE for organising these biennial awards and ExxonMobil Singapore for your sponsorship. This strong partnership between both organisations of more than 25 years have made this meaningful award possible. MOE values these partnerships, which demonstrate a whole-of-society effort to recognise and celebrate the invaluable and inspirational work that our teachers do, no matter the circumstance.

13. To conclude, let me once again congratulate all the award winners and every one of the nominees. Every one of you has made a difference in the lives of those around you.

1. I leave you with two proverbs, one in Malay, and one in Chinese:
   1. Teachers are "Umpama pelita yang menerangi jalan", which means like the lamps that light the way forward; and
   2. "善 之 本 在 教，教 之 本 在 师", which underscores that teachers not only impart knowledge, but also values.

14. We are grateful for your service to our nation, and to the next generation. And we are very glad to honour your invaluable contributions today.

15. So, my heartiest congratulations to all the nominees, the award recipients, and everyone here today for celebrating their achievements. Thank you and have a pleasant afternoon.