Daily Lessons from Life 13 October 2013 - Every school can be good when every educator is caring: Education minister

"Every school can be good when every educator is caring: Education minister - AsiaOne Oct 13, 2013 SINGAPORE - Education minister Heng Swee Keat said in a Facebook post on Sunday evening that sending some of the most experienced and well regarded principals to head heartland schools is one of the many ways to "Make every school a good school". He said that posting principals to new schools is how the Ministry of Education (MOE) recharges school leaders and allow educators to better share and collaborate with one another. This is done by deploying school leaders to schools where assignments are meaningful and will challenge and develop the former. In order for every school to be a good school, Mr Heng also said this only happens when every teacher is a caring educator. This can only happen when each principal has the support of MOE and the school community. Mr Heng added that principals who take up new postings do not face a blank slate, as they can do even more for the students and teachers because of foundations laid by previous principals, as well as parents who have already done much at that school." I am encouraged by the move to post the most experienced and well regarded principals to the schools that need the most help by the MOE. Lessons for me are: 1. while good resources should be invested in the best of best students and established schools, equally good resources MUST be invested in the schools and students that need the most help!; 2. when the resources and ACTIONS are aligned with the vision of making: 'Every School a Good School', the Minister and MOE gained much credibility. Actions speak louder than words. This is promising as far as I am concerned as Minister Heng's allocation of resources is aligned with the MOE's vision!; 3. what with the most experienced and well regarded principals who got posted to the schools that need their help most instead of the high publicity branded schools? Hopefully they see this as an opportunity to really make a difference. It is always easier to do better when you are given the best schools and students to work with. Success is really nothing to crow about. However, when you are able to transform a school and the students that need help to be better, improving; that is something I give a lot more respect to. All the best to these principals and may they have the caring love that Minister Heng is talking about. I am sure they do. They just have to demonstrate it through their actions! Soon, 'Every School a Good School' means the bigger vision of Singaporeans 'live, study, work, play, be cared for medically' within their regional centers will be a reality too!