By Amelia Tan

WHEN students misbehave in Madam Wong Lai Fong's class, it is up to their classmates to redeem them.

The offenders will be sent out of the classroom, but their classmates can answer questions on their behalf to help them earn their place back in class.

Madam Wong, 38, who teaches mathematics at Anderson Secondary, said: 'If I just send them out of the classroom, I will lose them. But if they can see their classmates answering questions for them, they will see that we have not given up on them and they should not give up on themselves.'

Her dedication in teaching won her the President's Award for Teachers last night.

She was one of four teachers to receive the honour from President S R Nathan at a ceremony at the Istana attended by around 600 guests, mostly principals and teachers.

More than 2,400 teachers from 257 schools were nominated for the annual awards - given to passionate educators who have gone out of their way to inspire students. These teachers received a total of 9,000 nominations from fellow educators, students and parents, the most since the award was first handed out in 1998.

The four winners were selected by a panel of judges headed by Government Parliamentary Committee for Education chairman Josephine Teo.

Madam Wong's desire to nurture her students extends even through the school holidays.

For the past few years, she has invited her weaker students to her home during the holidays to do revision. During these 'study camps', she even prepares breakfast and lunch for them.

Her students also go to her home regularly for barbecue parties.

'I treat my students like my own children. Just like the way I entrust my children to their teachers, I feel that I am responsible for my students,' said the mother of two boys aged eight and 11.

This article was first published in The Straits Times.