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READING about the publication of educationist Eugene Wijeysingha's memoir, For A Better Age ('Girding RI boys for a better age'; yesterday), allowed me a sentimental trip down memory lane.
Mr Wijeysingha was my principal when I was a student of Temasek Junior College (TJC) from 1981 to 1982.
One morning, he summoned me, along with six others, to his office.
There, he congratulated us for being awarded teaching and humanities scholarships by the Ministry of Education (MOE).
We could leave our beloved college in a sleepy part of Bedok and pursue our JC education in another college where a team of Oxford and Cambridge tutors had been specially hired to groom Singaporean students in the humanities.
We could also remain at TJC where he would do his utmost to help us achieve our dreams.
We did, and Mr Wijey was everything we needed in a teacher mentor.
'Seize the day,' he urged us and we did. 'My door is always open,' he reminded us time and again, and indeed it was.
On many a sultry afternoon, he could be seen sitting among us, students, striking at a carrom board and sharing freely with us his own experiences.
As Mr Wijey showed by example how a personable and passionate educator could affect the lives of teenagers, five of us are still ardent educationists.
As for the other two humanities scholars, one is a permanent secretary and the other a senior management figure in Singapore Press Holdings.
At TJC's 30th anniversary celebrations two years ago, many of us alumni spoke fondly of how Mr Wijey impacted our lives by his humility and friendship.
I have no doubt his book will inspire teachers, parents and anyone who wants to learn how to engage and mould today's youth.
Sabrina Wong (Ms)
This article was first published in The Straits Times.
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