My intention as a Home Tutor

My interest, meaning and purpose as a Home Tutor is exactly the same whether I function as an MOE Teacher – to stimulate, nurture and support a widening depth of true appreciation, enjoyment and passion, in the Subject for what it really actually truly is – a deeply beautiful and wonderfully enjoyable Science of the mysterious Universe, belonging to and owned by Yourself.

My intention is to support students’ interest, love and passion in the Sciences of the Universe (particularly Chemistry, and also psychology and philosophy, but these are of course, not examinable at ‘O’ level), and most importantly, to help students realize that they can (and will) make these Sciences their very own. Yes, to OWN Chemistry (and all Sciences which you choose to explore) for YOURSELF. Meaning, you recognize a scientific phenomenon to be true, not because someone else told you so (i.e. dogma), but because you understand within yourself the underlying scientific principles that results in the manifestation of such phenomena as a logical, natural and beautiful consequence. A consequence of the wonderful Universe, that you belong to, as well as that belongs to you.

I’ve always felt (for the purpose of the greater good for mankind, for the Universe) the importance of going beyond convention, dogma, orthodoxy, conformity; if any significant breakthrough towards higher ground and higher gain is hoped to be made.

Specifically in the education context, being keenly aware (being an ex-MOE teacher) of the limitations of the education system, specifically that in their forced entry into the rat race of paper chase qualifications, students in Singapore don’t get to enjoy what they study (particularly tragic for those students who actually would like to be able to deepen their understanding and appreciation of their chosen subjects). And part of this is because (and while I do not fault this or claim to offer any feasible alternatives, because such is necessary based on practical considerations; I certainly would want to do my part to work beyond such limitations, for the sake of students) the MOE/SEAB ‘A’ level and ‘O’ level curriculum does not allow (primarily due to time constraints, as well as a so-called ‘results oriented’ culture; the irony of it) students to truly understand, truly appreciate, truly enjoy their subjects.

I think it not necessary to specifically name names, publications, online resources, etc. Suffice to mention that I obtain a variety of materials I deem to be useful and helpful for my (tuition) students, both from excellent sources on the internet, as well as publications both local and overseas. The local sources, may be obtained from Bras Basar (Popular and other bookstores). The overseas sources, include (multiple copies of) University level (Chemistry and Biology) textbooks (by multiple authors) that were obtained from Amazon.com, Kinokuniya, Clementi Book Store, NUS bookshops, NTU bookshops, etc. I use metal filing cabinets (the ones used by Mindef and MOE) to house my own private academic library of materials, textbooks and resources, which my (tuition) students may freely use and borrow. Approximate cost of resources (over the years, in total): Sg$7,000 to Sg$8,000.

 

Mr Heng