Inspired by their own teachers, two of them even returned to their alma maters to do so.

On Monday, the trio scored what might be a teaching first in Singapore: They were all promoted in the Education Ministry's annual exercise.

They, along with other outstanding educators, were singled out by new Education Minister Ng Eng Hen on Monday as being crucial to the Singapore education system, which draws its strength from the quality of its teachers.

Dr Ng, in his first comments since assuming the post on April 1, said his aim was to make teachers and teaching a priority.

One way to do this, he said, was to give them competitive pay packages, room to develop themselves and a flexible work environment, he said.

Dr Ng stressed in his speech that teaching is 'certainly more than just a job, it's a vocation'.

Read the full report in Tuesday's edition of The Straits Times