THIS letter is in support of Madam Chang Choon Kheng's letter last Tuesday, 'Preschool teachers' pay rise: No strings'.

I fully agree with her on the reasons she gave for a pay rise for preschool teachers. There is one more to add - that is the duty of teachers to give motherly love and affection to toddlers in school.

In addition, preschool teachers' pay is not according to qualification but experience. I agree that experience counts, but so does the extra knowledge a teacher has in the form of a higher qualification. A more qualified teacher can present a lesson better than one who has the minimum qualification, using the same teaching material and resources.

The only reason the better qualified teacher chooses to work in preschool is, as Madam Chang suggested, her passion to teach young children.

There are teachers with various qualifications, such as O and A levels, certificate, diploma, graduate degree and even master's degree. But there is no difference in the pay they get. This is very frustrating and one reason many preschools lose good teachers to better-paying jobs.

I hope the Government will look into this matter seriously and take action.

Veena K.H. (Mrs)

This article was first published in The Straits Times on 27 Oct, 2008.