In 2012, Madam Ong laid a police complaint against her son’s teacher who had cut his hair prior to an exam and threatened to deduct marks for his scruffy haircut.

Singapore’s Minister of Education, Mr Heng Swee Keat, contacted the school for their story and publicly agreed with one media commentator, that Madam Ong had caused a hullabaloo. According to the school, the boy had been reminded multiple times to trim his hair and the school had sent a letter home. He’d had plenty of warnings.

Madam Ong said she wished the Minister had heard her side of the story. He did not ask for it.

Perhaps it was a little unfair for Madam and her Master that the Minister never asked for her story, but the individual case is not the point. The Minister is more strategic of mind. One of his speech writers told me during my visit to Singapore last year that he very deliberately sings the praise of teachers wherever he goes. 

In a speech highlighting examples of demanding parents and sending the message that teachers are valued in society, the Minister said, “if parents do not show graciousness to others and respect for rules … good people will be deterred from joining teaching.”

In New Zealand, we would be appalled to hear stories of teachers publicly humiliating students. One of my primary school teachers was infamous for temper tantrums that were characterised by chairs being thrown around the room. That was 25 years ago and I sincerely doubt that the Minister of Education, or the public, would side with the teacher if a situation like that came to light now.
 
But the point is that Singapore’s Minister of Education skimmed over the details and instead used the high-profile nature of the case as a platform to drive home his message: teachers are valued.

In New Zealand, the recent career announcement for teachers sends a strong message that teachers are valued in our society. It offers financial reward, public recognition, and opportunity for progression. 

But this has also come with an important change in the rhetoric about teachers. In a speech this week to the Wellington Chamber of Commerce, Minister of Education Hekia Parata reminded audience members what teachers are: nation builders.

The recent endorsement of teachers has been complemented by the launch of a new website where we can all send a message that teachers are valued, by sending a post card to a teacher who inspired you. Research clearly shows that teachers are not attracted to teaching for monetary reward (although it does help retain good teachers and this is important), but because they want to make a difference.

We often hear too much about the minority of teachers who do wrong, so it’s great to celebrate those who are great. Why not send a message to an inspiring teacher that made a difference to your life?