By Emily Wong

He's got students' interests at heart

HE'S doing it for the good of the students.

That's what Mr Samuel Lim, who has been teaching for 13 years, told The New Paper.

The former teacher at Victoria Junior College and Hwa Chong Institution (High School Section) believes self-discipline is very important as it is the basis for excellence.

"Discipline serves as a deterrent so my students will take my work seriously. It also safeguards the interests of those who want to learn," he said.

But is he being too harsh?

Mr Lim said he has the students' interests at heart.

"I must make sure I do my best (to ensure they hand in work which is up to standard)," he said. He added that he does not chide his students without reason, and usually explains to them why they were being chided.

Mr Tooh Fee San, CEO of HCIS, had spoken about the issue with his staff, as well as the Year 5 and 6 students.

During these sessions, though he supported Mr Lim, Mr Tooh had discussed with him how to use a better approach, such as disciplining different individuals in different ways.

A parent, Mr Tan, who had complained about Mr Lim, told The New Paper that Mr Lim later appeared to have "become nicer" to his students and shouted less.

While Mr Tooh understands that some students may have some difficulty adjusting to Mr Lim initially, he is confident students will come to appreciate the teacher in time.

Mr Tooh also feels parents should "see the teacher's intention and his commitment". Some do, he added.

He said one parent told him that his child "submitted better homework" after being in Mr Lim's class.

Madam Ong Lay Peng, the school's Dean of Studies, said Mr Lim had been a recipient of the Outstanding History Teacher Award.

"It's a hard-earned award, (as it) is not easy to be a caring teacher," she noted.

There is" no one-size-fits-all approach to education", she added, as disciplining students is a "tough balancing act and is about tough love because teachers owe it to their profession to teach students acceptable values".

This article was first published in The New Paper.

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