SINGAPORE - A man who kept his promises, one who played a key role in making Singapore clean and green, a loving father and husband.

Some 1,300 pupils from Telok Kurau Primary were taught about Mr Lee Kuan Yew's life and legacy during an hour-long slide show on Tuesday.

Singapore's first Prime Minister went to Telok Kurau Primary, he enrolled there in 1930.

On Tuesday, teachers took extra care to make Mr Lee's life resonate with the pupils.

They recounted, for instance, how he made bold promises, and delivered.

After a fire swept through Bukit Ho Swee in 1961, for instance, he told distraught residents that in nine months, they would have new flats to live in.

Together with his team of founding fathers, he made it happen.

"He was a man of his word," said Madam Marliana Rashid, a Malay language teacher and national education coordinator at the school, who delivered the slide show on Mr Lee's life.

They were also told how Mr Lee played a key role in pushing for economic improvement and providing jobs.

Principals at schools across the nation delivered speeches about him at assembly on Tuesday, drawing on a note Education Minister Heng Swee Keat had posted on Facebook.

Said Mrs Charis Wong, Telok Kurau Primary's principal: "People often say Lee Kuan Yew has four children.

"Singapore was his fourth child and he was always speaking about her, thinking about her."

"Mr Lee had a big dream, he worked very hard to achieve it. You can achieve your dreams if you try hard too."

The children also read out tributes to Mr Lee that they had written on heart-shaped cards.

Others folded origami flowers which will be gathered into bouquets and delivered to Parliament House when students and teachers pay their last respects there.

As a mark of respect, flags in all schools are flying at half-mast. Many also observed a minute of silence.