SINGAPORE - Teachers must keep honing their craft to bring out the best in their students and become lifelong learners themselves, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat said on Friday.

Speaking at the National Institute of Education (NIE) Teachers' Investiture Ceremony at Nanyang Technological University, Mr Heng said: "On a day-to-day basis, it means you stay inventive, you stay alert to your students' social-emotional development, and you help your students discover how their lessons apply to the real world.

"Teaching is challenging, but it is also immensely rewarding, and there is no other job like it."

NIE welcomed a total of 449 new teachers to the profession on Friday. Of the cohort, 15 were from the part-time bachelor of education programme.

Mr Heng also awarded 10 teachers with prizes for their outstanding academic achievements at the ceremony.