A plaque in memory of Mr Stephen Loh, one of the five rowers who died in the freak dragon boat accident, will be put up by National Junior College near the school's squash courts where the late teacher had spent many hours coaching the NJC team.

NJC's vice-principal Mark Lo announced this at the wake of Mr Loh at his home in How Sun Close, off Bartley Road, on Tuesday.

Mr Loh, 31, was the teacher in charge of squash and track and field in NJC.

Education Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam also visited the Loh family's house to comfort his parents. During his one-hour stay on Tuesday, he talked to Mr Loh's family and looked through old photos of the late teacher.

Mr Shanmugaratnam hailed Mr Loh as 'a model teacher' who had made a 'quite remarkable impact' on his students although he was new to the career.

'He was not just a teacher but also a friend, and he inspired them to do what they love and what they're passionate about. And I think that's going to stay with them for a long time,' said the minister.

A steady stream of students came to pay their last respects throughout the day.

Some broke down in in tears and had to be taken aside to be comforted by friends and a school counsellor.

A group of NJC squash players also presented an A3-sized card filled with condolence messages from schoolmates to Mr Loh's family.

Second-year NJC student Shiah Zi Chao, 16, said Mr Loh had been a very patient and motivating squash coach.

He had set a target for the squash team - to top the A Division. The NJC team is currently ranked fourth.

'We're now going to try our best to fulfill what he set for us,' said Zi Chao.