Sabah quake: Honour teacher's selflessness, spirit of student: Heng
Condeolences were offered at Tanjong Katong Primary School yesterday (June 7). Photo: Jason Quah/TODAY
SINGAPORE — As the nation mourned the deaths of Singaporean students and a teacher from the Mount Kinabalu earthquake on the day of national remembrance today (June 8), Education Minister Heng Swee Keat called on those in his ministry to use the day to remember and honour the selflessness of teachers, spirit of students and support of the community and friends.
The Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) teachers who led students on the overseas learning trip gave their best to watch over their charges while the children were also “brave, rugged and tenacious”,
he said.
“Our students tell of their teachers shielding them from falling rocks, and continuing to look after them despite their own injuries,” wrote Mr Heng wrote in a letter addressed to educators today. “Let us remember and live up to their selflessness and courage.”
On the students, he called for hope to be drawn from their spirit “to be the best they can be”. He also noted that the staff of TKPS were not the only ones who rallied in the tragedy. Alumni and the community around the school also stepped forward to show what it means to care for fellow Singaporeans.
“The selflessness of our teachers reminds us to give our best to our students,” Mr Heng added. “The spirit of our children inspires us to be teachers. The support of our community and friends helps us go on when we face difficulties.
“I hope we remember these today and forever, so that we may live up to our fellow teachers, our students, and our community. Let us keep up our strength and spirit in this time of grief. Let us stand together to support and care for our students, our community, and one another.”
Mr Heng also noted that TKPS’ staff are the closest to the affected students and teachers and “feel the pain ... most deeply”. He called on all educators to give them their “utmost support”.
“The TKPS team have rallied together to be a source of strength and support for the survivors, and for the loved ones of those who have passed on or are still missing. They do so even as they struggle with their own grief,” he said.
But he stressed that the school does not have to go through it alone, citing the support and assistance from many Ministry of Education officers, as he thanked colleagues from across the entire Public Service who “are walking with us through this hard time”.
Those in Sabah who will suffer the lasting effects of the earthquake should not be forgotten too, added Mr Heng.
“The Malaysian authorities have been helpful and supportive. We keep them in our thoughts for the lives they have tragically lost,” he said.
