1. Seven outstanding educators received the 2019 President’s Award for Teachers (PAT) from President Halimah Yacob at the Istana during the Teachers’ Day Reception on Wednesday, 4 September 2019. They are (not in order of merit):
- Mr Lim En-rui Joel, Fairfield Methodist School (Primary);
- Mdm Koh Hui Khoon Sarah, Holy Innocents’ Primary School;
- Mr Mohamed Azhar Bin Mohamed Noor, Innova Primary School;
- Mr Chew Ansheng Victor, Rosyth School;
- Mr Syam Lal s/o Sadanandan, Bukit Batok Secondary School;
- Dr Koh Noi Sian, Nanyang Polytechnic; and
- Ms Siu Yee Nar Ella, Republic Polytechnic.
2. The seven recipients are caring and nurturing educators, committed to developing their students to the fullest potential, and who constantly adopt innovative approaches in their lessons. These educators are lifelong learners, mentors to their peers, and they inspire students through their words and deeds.
3. The PAT recipients were selected from 16 finalists (Annex A), by a panel chaired by Ms Denise Phua, Chairperson of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Education. The panel comprised representatives from the Ministry of Education (MOE), COMmunity and PArents in Support of Schools1 (COMPASS), and Post-Secondary Education Institutions (PSEIs). This year, a total of 3,886 educators were nominated 2 by school leaders, teachers, parents as well as former and current students.
4. The remaining nine finalists will receive their certificates at institution-level presentation ceremonies. Those from the General Education category (primary and secondary schools, Junior Colleges/Millennia Institute) will receive their PAT certificates at the Academy Awards for Professional Development ceremony by MOE’s Academy of Singapore Teachers, while finalists from the PSEIs will receive theirs at their respective institutions.
5. The PAT recipients will participate in an overseas conference cum study trip at the end of the year, as part of their professional development. For PAT finalists, each will receive a professional development grant to attend overseas or local conferences, seminars and courses, or to purchase resources for professional development. In addition, recipients and finalists will undertake individual or collaborative projects for professional learning and sharing. These projects will enable them to be role models to other teachers, as they help drive professional excellence in the fraternity.