SINGAPORE - Many election candidates paid tribute to the nation's educators on Friday (Sept 4) as schools commemorated Teachers' Day, thanking them for their role in nurturing Singapore's future leaders.

Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong led the way with a post on his Facebook page. Borrowing from a Chinese idiom, he emphasised the importance of teachers as beacons who guide and nurture the young. Calling the teaching profession a "vital calling" that helps to "secure our children's future", he also thanked teachers and support staff for their dedication and hard work.

Mr Lee was not the only one who expressed his thanks with another language. In his Facebook post, labour chief Chan Chun Sing wrote in English, Mandarin and later Malay. He also used a Chinese idiom that can be translated to mean a teacher for a day can be regarded upon as a father for life.

Dr Lim Wee Kiak, part of the five-member team contesting Sembawang GRC, stopped by a kindergarten on his walkabout. He posted a video of him with the children, wishing teachers a "Happy Teachers' Day".

Family and Social Development Minister Tan Chuan-Jin described teaching as "more than just a job", adding that the Early Childhood Development Agency will continue to facilitate and enhance training of early childhood professionals.