A desire to champion ‘underdogs’ in schools
Mr Shamsul Kamar. Photo: Ernest Chua
SINGAPORE — Former teacher Shamsul Kamar has a soft spot for the “underdogs” in schools — students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds, but show great promise.
“These students are talented and creative. I have put them through a number of projects, and they’ve never failed to surprise me. But for some reason, they stop school, so (I ask myself) how do I stop this?” he said yesterday at a press conference where he was introduced as one of the PAP’s new candidates for Aljunied GRC.
Mr Shamsul, who is a former head of department at Spectra Secondary School, attributed his passion for and commitment to education to his family background.
When his late father was in Secondary 4, his family faced some financial difficulties, but a kind neighbour lent him some money to pay his school fees. His father subsequently completed his education, became a Malay-language teacher and earnt enough to put his children through university.
Mr Shamsul, 43, said: “I’ve always asked myself what might have happened if my father didn’t complete his education ... so that’s what formed my personal beliefs — why I think that education is one of the most important levellers in society, because it can empower (people) and uplift lives.”
He described himself as a person who enjoys being around people and listening to diverse views. Such traits were put to good use when he was head of student management at Spectra Secondary, where he helped with counselling and special needs education programmes.
Following in his late father’s footsteps, Mr Shamsul has long been involved in grassroots activities. Among other things, he has helped out at the Kaki Bukit Citizens Consultative Committee and, in 2009, was secretary of its development welfare fund.
For now, Mr Shamsul’s biggest priority is to make sure that more is done to ensure that the youth are not deprived of opportunities. He said: “Despite the ‘many helping hands’ approach (to assisting) underprivileged families, many still need help. If elected, I will make sure I work with (these) people, so they can continue with their education, and uplift their lives.”
Shamsul Kamar, 43
Previously head of student management at Spectra Secondary School
FACT FILE:
• Teacher for 20 years; previously also taught at Bedok South Secondary School
• Chairman of the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s Review Board
• Pursued a Master of Arts in South-east Asian studies at the National University of Singapore, specialising in education, geography and South-east Asian politics.
HE SAID: “I think that education is one of the most important levellers in society, because it can empower (people) ... and uplift lives.”
WARD: Aljunied GRC
