'Principals now face higher expectations'

Sack the principal, a parent posted on Education Minister Heng Swee Keat's Facebook page.

Mr Heng yesterday shared the example of the post, which he deleted, to illustrate how principals nowadays have to cope with higher expectations - and sometimes unreasonable demands - from better-educated parents.

It is against this backdrop that principals have to better engage parents, he said at the appointment and appreciation ceremony for principals yesterday.

To do so, they have to "redefine" their role as leaders in education, he added.

"Imagine you are in a room of CEOs and parents in various fields of endeavour. You stand out and are respected because of your insights, deep understanding and accumulated wisdom as a leader in education," he told principals and educators at the ceremony at the Shangri-La Hotel.

Principals must be open to new ideas in teaching and learning, and have the wisdom to decide which practices will work in Singapore's context, he said.

He noted that schools here are already testing novel ideas. For instance, as part of the Education Ministry's language and reading programme in primary schools, Strategies for English Language Learning and Reading, teachers dress up as characters in books to motivate students to read.

In mathematics, schools are testing various methods to make the subject come alive through pictures and hands-on activities.

"The rare combination of being open to new ideas... and having a real touch and feel of what works... allows our leaders in education to make the right decisions," Mr Heng noted.

Also, students' social and emotional needs must be met by building their confidence and exposing them to new interests.

Principals agreed that the newer generation of parents have higher expectations.

Changkat Changi Secondary School principal Yeow Lee Lin, 51, said: "In the past, parents accepted schools' decisions. Now, they want to know why processes are followed and how they can better support their child."

At the ceremony yesterday, 61 principals received their appointment letters. They included at least 10 senior principals picked to head schools in the heartland in a closely watched rotation exercise earlier this year. There were 26 newly appointed principals.

The event also honoured 23 principals and former principals who are retiring or leaving the ministry. Mrs Chin Shin Wea, in her early 60s, is this year's longest-serving retiring principal, having chalked up 42 years in the education service. She has headed five primary schools, including Kranji Primary and Loyang Primary. "I will miss the children the most - they are the reason I became a teacher," she said.

Young heads rise to the challenge

At 36, Mr Benny Lee and Mr Yap Wai Meng were the youngest to be appointed principals this year.

Mr Lee, who is heading Jurongville Secondary School, said: "I'm honoured that the ministry entrusted me with such a huge responsibility. A principal makes decisions that can impact students' lives."

Mr Lee taught physics at then-Raffles Junior College before moving in 2010 to the Ministry of Education headquarters, where he spent two years as deputy director of its planning division, looking into the idea of having specialised schools for Normal (Technical) students.

He aims to help students who may need similar assistance at his new school. "The most rewarding and enlightening moment for me is to see how we can maximise the potential of students, regardless of their background and where their strengths are."

Mr Yap, who has been posted to lead Holy Innocents' High School, said: "I hope to bring new perspectives, like how to better engage with students and to harness emerging technology for teaching."

Said the former geography teacher at Xinmin Secondary and Anderson Junior College: "I'd like to build on the school's history to strengthen its image among parents and students."

Veteran educators to tap their wealth of experience

With 25 years of the education service behind them, principals Mak Lai Ying and Moliah Hashim believe their experience will help them at their new schools.

Madam Mak, 52, the new head of St Anthony's Canossian Secondary School, said that she would build on the school's strong fundamentals by helping teachers to "deepen their skills" and be "excellent in their craft".

She has taught mathematics for nearly 11 years in schools such as Raffles Junior College and Serangoon Junior College. Her first stint as principal was at Jurong Institute, which merged with Outram Institute to form Millennia Institute.

She then headed Nanyang Girls' High School for five years until 2006, before becoming principal of the Singapore International School in Hong Kong for the next six years.

"The different schools I've been to have enabled me to work with students of all profiles, and learn to help them differently," she said.

Madam Moliah, 55, will lead Princess Elizabeth Primary after spending four years as chief executive of Mendaki.

"I hope to look out for children who fall behind in school, or have family problems, while at the same time stretching the best performers," she said.

ateng@sph.com.sg

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