(Clockwise from right): SPWU General Secretary Tan Teng Hong, SMEEU President Tommy Goh Hock Wah, AMEU/NTA Executive Secretary Teo Siew Pan, USE General Secretary Raymond Chin Ming Jie, and STU General Secretary Mike Mariyappa Thiruman.
Every year, Singapore confers National Day Awards on deserving individuals for their exemplary contributions to the country. The awards recognise individuals from the public service, Labour Movement, community work, the arts, private sector, and more.
The Prime Minister’s Office announced on 9 August 2025 that 7,210 individuals will be awarded the national honours.
Among them are five leaders from NTUC who received the Public Service Medal for their many years of hard work and dedication in uplifting the lives of Singapore workers.
These union leaders were selected for their steadfast leadership, significant breakthroughs, and important contributions to nation-building.
Singapore Teachers’ Union (STU) General Secretary Mike Mariyappa Thiruman may be a soft-spoken man, but when it comes to helping teachers grow professionally, he is as passionate as they come.
Mr Thiruman, who is also an NTUC Central Committee member, has represented the union in international bodies that promote teachers and teaching, such as the ASEAN Council of Teachers. Such platforms give STU members access to the latest advancements in teaching practices and forge networks across the global teaching fraternity.
To boost career planning for educators, he initiated career coaching services. He worked with organisations, such as NTUC’s e2i (Employment and Employability Institute) and SkillsFuture Singapore, to help them chart their career paths. The union leader believes that teachers can benefit from multiple pathways, such as curriculum development or opportunities within the Ministry of Education (MOE).
Under his leadership, the STU’s relationship with the MOE strengthened, leading to collaborations on international conferences and seminars.
Mr Thiruman also innovated the existing Teacher Wellness Counselling Services to take care of members’ mental and socio-emotional well-being.
As Singapore celebrates SG60, he believes it is essential to continue building human capital, a role in which teachers have been crucial.
“Be resilient, be adaptive, be innovative, and never shy away from challenges. If we need to pull up our socks and tuck in, we just do it and strive on until we achieve what we need to and progress together. At the end, we need to ensure that the prosperity is shared amongst everyone,” Mr Thiruman said.
For full article, you may visit https://www.ntuc.org.sg/uportal/news/5-NTUC-leaders-honoured-with-Public-Service-Medal/
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