The search is on for Singapore's most caring teacher. The eighth Caring Teachers Award 2010 (CTA) is jointly organised by the National Institute of Education (NIE) and ExxonMobil Asia Pacific Pte Ltd, with support from the Ministry of Education.

The awards, held biennially, were first given out in 1996.

What is the definition of a caring teacher?

According to the organisers, a caring teacher is someone grounded in values; who cares, shares and shows concern for the academic, moral, social, emotional and mental welfare of his/her students.

Nominations for the Caring Teacher Awards are open from now to 26 November 2009.

Members of the public including pupils, parents, teachers and principals can download the nomination forms from www.cta.nie.edu.sg.

One primary school, one secondary school and one junior college/centralised institute teacher identified as the most caring teachers will be honoured at a special ceremony to be held in April 2010.