Chiam Lay Kuan, who has been teaching the Malay language for 40 years at Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan, received a long service award from the Overseas Community Affairs Council in Taipei in recognition of her contribution.
She was one of the 16 teachers from local Chinese schools who received long service awards during a ceremony at a restaurant in Jerudong.
Representative of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office Vanessa Shih handed over the awards.
Chiam Lay Kuan in an interview credited her passion for teaching to her parents.
“I was interested in teaching because of my parents, who were teachers. My father was also the deputy principal of a government school,” she said.
“I started my teaching career at the age of 21. Things are very different compared to 40 years ago; the learning style has changed a lot,” she added.
“It is not easy to teach Malay language but I always put myself in the students’ shoes. I first try to understand their weaknesses before I help them to improve.”
The 62-year-old teacher also said the most memorable moment in her 40 years of teaching was receiving the Special Mention Teacher’s Day Appreciation Award in 2020, although the award was only presented in 2022, due to COVID-19.
“With that award, I feel the country has recognised my hard work and sacrifice in the past decades. I really felt honoured to be chosen as a recipient,” she said.
“The award today is another highlight in my career.”
Kuan added that she will teach for as long as the school requires her service, and hopes that schools will continue to nurture young teachers with innovative ideas, so they “can continue to help the country produce future leaders”.
Meanwhile, Ho Hui Xian, Thien Koi Meng and Ruth Chong from Chung Ching Middle School, Seria as well as Chiew Jin Er and Chan Soon Khiong from Chung Hua Middle School, Kuala Belait received the five-year-long service awards at the ceremony.
The 10-year-long service award was presented to Lee Hang Ming from Chung Ching Middle School, Seria; Fatmawani Sulaiman from Chung Lian School, Sungai Liang; Lim Hua Khiong from Chung Hwa School, Tutong; Charlene Thien Chiao Ling and Yong Mei Chit from Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan; and Pang Khao Yin from Chung Hua Middle School, Kuala Belait.
Yong Chiah Foong from Chung Hua Middle School, Kuala Belait, was the only recipient of the 20-year-long service award.
Tang Kin Chin from Chung Hwa School, Tutong, Tan Been Tiem and Sim Man Ling from Chung Hwa Middle School, Bandar Seri Begawan were the three recipients of the 30-year-long service award. – James Kon
