Date : 30 April 1998

PRESIDENT'S AWARD FOR TEACHERS

Starting from 1998, a national award, the President's Award for Teachers (PAT), will be conferred annually on excellent teachers in recognition of the critical role teachers play in moulding the future of the nation. Teachers prepare their students for life. They do so through three specific areas: developing character and moral values, building motivation and self-confidence, and identifying abilities and talents. The President will confer the award on the recipients on Teachers' Day (1 Sep).

2 The selection criteria is based on qualities required of teachers. Central to these qualities is the teacher’s personal belief in and commitment to the Desired Outcomes of Education. These teachers

	show utmost concern for the character and moral development of students by word and personal example;
	motivate, challenge, inspire and help students to find the potential within themselves;
	welcome enterprise, innovation, curiosity and creativity in students;
	set the example in continual learning; and
	are held in high esteem by superiors, peers, students and parents.

3 The award will be open to all serving teachers. Nominations will be invited from a wide cross-section of people including superiors, peers, students, ex-students and parents, to reflect the wide-ranging impact that teachers have on the community. This process of nomination is also to recognise that teachers and schools are very much a part of the community. Nominations can be made on prescribed forms obtainable at the following places:

	reception lobby of the Ministry of Education
	Teachers’ Network at Grange Road Centre
	National Library and all its branches
	community centres/clubs and
	through the MOE website at http://www.moe.edu.sg

Nominations can be made in any of the four official languages. The closing date for nominations is 14 Jun 98.

4 There will be a minimum of two awards but not more than three awards a year. The award would be presented to one teacher from primary schools and one from secondary schools/junior colleges/centralised institutes with the third coming from either of the two categories.

5 The award will have two components. The professional development component will comprise an expenses-paid attendance at an international conference and a study visit to top schools overseas. The personal development component will be in the form of a travel award for the recipient and his family. This is to recognise the importance of family support in enabling our teachers to do an excellent job. The Award winners will also be appointed as Fellows of the Teachers’ Network and conduct professional discussion groups and workshops with other teachers to share ideas and teaching methods.

6 The selection board will comprise prominent members of the community and senior Ministry of Education officials. The selection board will be appointed on an annual basis.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

For further enquiries, please contact 

Mr Nicholas Tang
PAT Secretariat
Tel : 68381 713