Bouquets: Teachers who spark love for learning

Teachers who spark love for learning

As the school year comes to an end, I would like to express my gratitude to two of my teachers.

First, Mrs Hor Foong Yee, my secondary one maths teacher. She would make it a point to answer every question she is asked. Sometimes, she would stay back after lessons to explain the solutions to maths problems, even thouse I brought up out of my own interest.

She is also understanding and approachable, and would stop to chat with students when she sees them around the school.

The other is Mr Saravanan Sangiah, my history teacher. He teaches beyond the textbook, and encourages us to speak up and be original thinkers.

Every class is engaging and interesting. All of us always walk away learning something new. He has sparked my passion in a subject that I had previously disregarded. This is the hallmark of a true educator.

I believe that education is more than pumping textbook knowledge into students. It is also about nurturing thinking individuals and inculcating a love for learning.

Mrs Hor and Mr Vanan have certainly succeeded in doing that.

Lauren Yeo Jen-Yin (Miss)


Great help with problem overseas

For 2 1/2 years, my wife, who is a Singapore Permanent Resident, had been stuck in Thailand with no documents to help her return to Singapore.

A friend prompted me to approach Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs. This resulted in a flurry of letters which were helpful but could not solve the problem, as the problem lay with the Thai authorities.

My friend went to Bangkok with me and we visited the Singapore embassy there.

Two Singaporean officers - Kenneth Kwa and Lee Wee Siong - and Thai consular and visa officer Boonyarat Wattanawong went out of their way and beyond the call of duty to sort out my wife's problem. I thank them profusely for their assistance.

I thank the Thai government for taking a humane view of my problem and not imposing a fine even though my wife was considered to have overstayed.

I thank the Singapore Government as well for having a good system that assists Singaporeans with their problems overseas.

Words cannot express my gratitude for the assistance I have been given in this incident.

Woo Yeok Chan

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on October 26, 2017, with the headline Bouquets: Teachers who spark love for learning. Subscribe