Twenty outstanding CDAC tutors were commended for their dedicated service at the annual Education Programme Awards Presentation Ceremony held in September 2003. TUITION spoke to Mr Charlie Koh who received the Tutor Commendation Award for the second time in his 7 years with CDAC.

71-year-old Charlie Koh is a high-spirited former principal. A grandfather of three, who has devoted 50 years of his life to educating young minds, Mr. Koh thinks that it is still early for him to call it a day.

"I must keep myself usefully occupied. Giving tuition to children from a less privileged background keeps my mind active, and at the same time, allows me to help those kids improve in their studies", said Mr Koh.

A CDAC tutor since 1996, Mr Koh currently tutors two Primary 6 EM3 classes in English and Mathematics at Gongshang Primary School. Unlike most teachers, Mr Koh says he prefers being with the EM3 students. "I find it very challenging to tutor this group of students. Some of them are actually quite bright, but they tend to be rather careless or indifferent towards studying. All you need is a bit more patience with them, and to keep pace with their abilities instead of rushing through your lessons," he said.

Mr Koh contends that the small class size at CDAC's Education Programme helps him devote individual attention to the students, especially the weaker ones. And to spice up the lessons, Mr Koh devotes the last five minutes of his Maths class to playing Maths puzzles.

But for those students who think that they can breeze through Mr Koh's class without putting in much effort, well, they are mistaken. "I do not stand any nonsense from the students. From the onset, I would tell them I expect them to behave themselves and do their work dutifully. By misbehaving in class - whether you are talking to your friends or playing the fool - you disturb your fellow classmates and disrupt their learning. By not doing their work, they are basically wasting their time here. When the kids sense that you mean serious business, they will sit up and pay more attention," Mr Koh mused.

Mr Koh Hoon Nam, Centre Administrator at Gongshang Primary can attest to that. "Mr Koh's EM3 classes have very high attendance rates. I also noticed that his students respect Mr Koh very much and often help him carry his books without being asked to. Mr Koh is a very responsible and dedicated tutor - a rare gem in CDAC's stable of tutors," said Mr Koh Hoon Nam.

Mr Charlie Koh is pleased that his efforts at helping the weaker students have produced results. "It is a very rewarding and satisfying experience when you see some of the EM3 pupils really making the effort and putting their heart and mind in their work in order to forge ahead in their studies. I am proud to be able to contribute something back to society at this age," he said. "I will continue to give my best to the children as long as my health permits," Mr Koh added.

- By Lee Siew Hoon