Good that focus is on having teachers who best meet students’ needs

The Education Minister recently highlighted the importance of certain attributes in teachers, commenting that those with the necessary passion and predisposition, including non-graduates, may be recruited to the teaching profession here.

To know that the focus remains on providing and developing teachers who best meet students’ learning needs is encouraging for educators like me, as well as parents and students alike.

Teachers hold an important position in society as one of the first role models for a child outside his home environment and are, therefore, influential in shaping and developing Singapore’s future generations. What they teach and how they facilitate learning have an impact on this nation’s foundation, as these children and young adults will eventually contribute back to society in a continuous, virtuous process.

As an educator here for the past decade, I have met many local teachers who are extremely passionate and committed. They are often willing to go the extra mile for their students, whether it is ensuring that parents are kept informed of their child’s progress or forsaking holidays to tutor and provide extra help to their students.

In conversations with them, what impresses me the most is the teachers’ fierce determination to encourage students to reach their full potential.

All teachers delight in seeing their students do well in examinations, develop into responsible young adults and go on to succeed in life. It is meaningful to see the joy of students when they succeed in an area they struggled with previously or achieve special milestones in non-academic activities such as the arts and sports.

It is heartening when parents thank staff for helping their children through these important phases of development. These intangible rewards often underpin a teacher’s commitment and override most other considerations.

While recent studies show that teachers here work 10 hours more than the global weekly average, perhaps due to their passionate, hardworking nature, there have been renewed calls to reduce their work hours and administrative duties so teaching remains the focus.

This is encouraging, demonstrating the appreciation Singaporeans have for their educators. But while the contribution of teachers must not be forgotten, it should be noted perhaps that parents remain the most influential educators in a child’s journey.

We must recognise the important partnership between home and school, as well as the need to inculcate the love for lifelong learning in our future generations.

Similarly, this applies to the educational profession. While teaching is a professional skill that can be developed through training, educators should lead by example and be lifelong learners. Indeed, parents and teachers who effectively engage with students and demonstrate an active interest in learning will make a difference to an individual’s overall education and life journey.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

The writer is the founding education principal of GEMS World Academy (Singapore).