MY DAUGHTER is in primary school. She has always enjoyed school and was blessed with good teachers in Primary 1 and 2.

She especially liked her form teacher last year, who was strict but reserved her scoldings only for times when she needed to discipline the class.

She always had encouraging words for pupils who did well and encouraged the weaker ones, even setting aside time to coach those who were unable to catch up in class.

However, my daughter's form teacher this year often criticised weaker students.

She was also impatient during mathematics lessons, and affected my daughter's morale.

Teachers can make or break a pupil. I miss the teachers of the 1970s, who had true passion for the job and love for the children they taught.

Ms Catherine Ngiam Sok Huang

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