I AGREE with what was said in Saturday's letter, 'What matters is their quality'. Truly good teachers should possess the intrinsic qualities of professionalism, passion and compassion. The teaching profession is more a calling than a job for any season.

News of the massive recruitment drive brings back memories of teachers who taught us in the 50s. They were happy with their salaries, loved teaching and dedicated their lives to educate and develop the young.

Most of my teachers focused on their specialised subjects and possessed very good knowledge of what they taught. Physical education teachers were usually fit and strong athletes. Discipline masters were tough, strict and no-nonsense administrators. Chinese literature teachers wrote good essays, poems and displayed top calligraphy skills.

We look to our teachers as role models and our parents in school. The intrinsic qualities of good teachers include impeccable character, the ability and skills to explore new pedagogy, and the moral fibre to imbue their students with enthusiasm and inspire them to excel in whatever they do after they leave school.

Paul Chan

This article was first published in The Straits Times on January 08, 2009.