SINGAPORE : Out of 4,000 nominations, three teachers were chosen for the prestigious President's Award.
President S R Nathan presented the award to the oustanding trio at the Istana on Friday evening.
This year's Teacher's Day was special for the three award winners.
They are Ahmad Ibrahim Primary School's Lim Siew Gek, Jin Tai Secondary's Noorismawaty Ismail and Sembawang Secondary's Edwin Chew.
For 36-year-old Mr Chew, his reward comes from knowing that he's made a difference in his students' lives
He said: "You teach and you shape lives. And the best part of it is you make friends. Like yesterday being Teacher's Day, I met my last year's batch for dinner yesterday and they tell me that I'm not a teacher but a friend. You get things like people thank you, students buying you coffee when I'm tired and students will give you little perks, messages in the morning or afternoon. The best part about teaching is to see them mature and grown."
Noorismawaty Ismail said: "It's a great motivation. I'll continue to touch the lives of the children and of those under my charge, to mould their character and to make a difference in their lives.
The three winners received a crystal trophy, certificate and a week-long study trip.
More than 500 people attended the event at the Istana. - CNA /ch