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How school teachers made a difference in the 60s
I READ with interest the flurry of letters concerning our education system, ranging from tuition classes to how effective the teaching in classrooms is now, and I would like to share how my primary school teachers had an impact on me as a pupil.
Back in the mid-1960s, I attended a neighbourhood primary school and there was no Teachers' Day in the school calendar then. My classmates and I (we are now in our early 50s) consider ourselves fortunate that we have been able to keep in touch with our teachers over the last four decades.
Back in those days, it was not unusual for teachers to carry a cane whenever they walked into the classroom. Our form teacher, Mr Lim, used it sparingly and only when it was needed. He was so concerned about our progress in studies that we were not spared the punishment if careless mistakes were repeated and ignored. And our parents never marched to school because of this.
In fact, the cane was a "symbolic" tool of trust between parents and teachers. His teaching was so effective that we all passed our Primary School Leaving Examination. I have never forgotten the day when he was so jubilant over the results that he ran round the school field with us - with him leading the pack.
Our favourite teacher was Ms Daisy Oh, who did what was considered unusual then by throwing a party for a class of 40 students. She made it a point to ensure we students had some fun. Without her commitment to our well-being, we would never have been able to see the merits of interaction between teacher and students. Those were rare moments in my growing up days.
One of the most memorable moments in my life was when I was posted to a secondary school that was not of my choice. Ms Oh pulled me aside and comforted me. What touched me most was that she cared and showed concern regardless of whether one was a top student or just average, like myself.
I remember vividly that on the last day of school, she gave us her contact number and that cemented the four-decade-long teacher-student relationship.
I hope this will be an inspiration to those who choose teaching as a profession. I would like to thank my teachers, Mr Lim Chek Seng and Ms Daisy Oh, who retired a long time ago, for such wonderful memories during my formative years.
Richard Thong
On behalf of Class 6A
(Former) Strathmore Primary School
I READ with interest the flurry of letters concerning our education system, ranging from tuition classes to how effective the teaching in classrooms is now, and I would like to share how my primary school teachers had an impact on me as a pupil.
Back in the mid-1960s, I attended a neighbourhood primary school and there was no Teachers' Day in the school calendar then. My classmates and I (we are now in our early 50s) consider ourselves fortunate that we have been able to keep in touch with our teachers over the last four decades.
Back in those days, it was not unusual for teachers to carry a cane whenever they walked into the classroom. Our form teacher, Mr Lim, used it sparingly and only when it was needed. He was so concerned about our progress in studies that we were not spared the punishment if careless mistakes were repeated and ignored. And our parents never marched to school because of this.
In fact, the cane was a "symbolic" tool of trust between parents and teachers. His teaching was so effective that we all passed our Primary School Leaving Examination. I have never forgotten the day when he was so jubilant over the results that he ran round the school field with us - with him leading the pack.
Our favourite teacher was Ms Daisy Oh, who did what was considered unusual then by throwing a party for a class of 40 students. She made it a point to ensure we students had some fun. Without her commitment to our well-being, we would never have been able to see the merits of interaction between teacher and students. Those were rare moments in my growing up days.
One of the most memorable moments in my life was when I was posted to a secondary school that was not of my choice. Ms Oh pulled me aside and comforted me. What touched me most was that she cared and showed concern regardless of whether one was a top student or just average, like myself.
I remember vividly that on the last day of school, she gave us her contact number and that cemented the four-decade-long teacher-student relationship.
I hope this will be an inspiration to those who choose teaching as a profession. I would like to thank my teachers, Mr Lim Chek Seng and Ms Daisy Oh, who retired a long time ago, for such wonderful memories during my formative years.
Richard Thong
On behalf of Class 6A
(Former) Strathmore Primary School
