Ong Teck Chin

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Ong Teck Chin bigraphy, stories - Singaporean educator

Ong Teck Chin : biography

24 November 1949 –

Ong Teck Chin ( born 1949) is a Singaporean educator. He was formerly the Principal/CEO of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent), and resident warden of its boarding school.

References and notes

Category:Living people Category:School principals and headteachers Category:Singaporean educators Category:Singaporean Rhodes scholars Category:Raffles Institution alumni Category:1949 births

Controversy

On 4 October 2010, Ong announced his resignation as Principal/CEO of Anglo-Chinese School (Independent).Satish Cheney (4 October 2010). . Channel News Asia (Singapore).

It was implied that he stepped down for health reasons. However, his resignation came shortly after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a male teacher, Mark Richie Tanworldnewspapers.in (23 November 2010). . World Newspapers (Singapore) had been made about him to the ACS Board of Governors. An inquiry committee was formed, comprising members from both the Anglo-Chinese School Board of Governors and the Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) Board of Management.Jane Ng; Sandra Davie (6 October 2010). . The Straits Times (Singapore).

Mark Richie Tan made statements to The New Paper stating that he filed the complaint because he "wanted justice to be served" and that there were "possibly a few people" involved in this matter.Bryna Sim (8 October 2010). . The New Paper (Singapore). According to a report in The Straits Times, "Mr Tan told The Straits Times that he had e-mail, text messages and recordings to prove his claims of Dr Ong’s inappropriate behaviour."Jane Ng (12 November 2010). . The Straits Times (Singapore).

The panel convened found that these allegations were reinforced by their findings: "Dr. Ong Teck Chin has conducted himself in an inappropriate manner and that his conduct has fallen short of the standards expected of a principal".Jane Ng (11 November 2010). . The Straits Times (Singapore). The Board did not state the nature of the allegations.

In a press statement on 22 November 2010, the ACS Board of Governors and the ACS(I) Board of Management said that Ong deeply regretted his actions and had apologised. His last official day of work was 30 November 2010.

Background

Ong is an alumnus of Raffles Institution and graduated from the National University of Singapore in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science (with honours) in chemistry. He went on to earn his Doctor of Philosophy in clinical biochemistry at the University of Oxford in 1975 under a Rhodes Scholarship. On his subsequent return to Singapore, he became a physiology lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the National University of Singapore (NUS) until 1991. While lecturing in the NUS, he concurrently held the position of Vice-Principal in ACS(I) from 1988 until 1994, when he was appointed Principal.

Ong has also published papers in international journals on exercise physiology, sports ergonomics and fitness assessments as well as research papers on education. During his reservist days in the Singapore Armed Forces, he received a Merit Award for his essay Discipline and Control in the Military, submitted for the 1989 Chief of General Staff Annual Essay Competition.

In addition, Ong was the chairman of the now-defunct Broadcast, Publications & Arts Appeal Advisory Committee (BPAAC),. Retrieved 7 October 2008. one of the committees that advised the Government of Singapore on censorship issues. He was also an executive committee member of the now-defunct Singapore Centre for Teaching Thinking, established in 1998 at the National Institute of Education, as part of the Thinking Schools Learning Nation initiative launched by Senior Minister Goh Chok Tong in 1997. Ong is recognised as a Solemniser of Marriages by the Registry of Marriages, Singapore. p.7 (n.d.)

Ong has also been the recipient of many awards, including:

The SAF Sword-of-Honour
The Outstanding Young Person of Singapore (Silver) Jaycees International Award in 1975
The National Day Commendation Medal (Military) in 1994 in recognition of his contributions to the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
The National Institute of Education Dr Ruth Wong Gold Medal for the Diploma in Education Administration(Secondary)
The Public Administration Medal (Silver), awarded during National Day 1997