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{{short description|Singaporean educator}}
{{Notability|1=Biographies|date=March 2021}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox person
| honorific_prefix = Dr.
| name = Ong Teck Chin
| image = DR_ong.jpg
| image_size =
| caption =
| birth_date = 24 November 1949
| birth_place = Singapore
| title = Principal/CEO of [[Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)]]
| term = 1994–2010
| predecessor = Lawrence Chia
| citizenship = Singaporean
| alma mater = [[National University of Singapore]], <br /> [[University of Oxford]]
}}

{{family name hatnote|[[Wang (surname)|Ong]]|lang=Chinese}}

'''Ong Teck Chin''' ({{zh|s=王德进|t=王德進|p=Wáng Déjìn|poj=Ông Tek-chìn|first=poj}}; born 1949) is a Singaporean educator. He was formerly the Principal/CEO of [[Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)|Anglo-Chinese School]], and resident warden of its boarding school. He is now currently the Principal of [[Singapore International School of Bangkok]] Sixth Form.

== Education ==
Ong is an alumnus of [[Raffles Institution (Secondary)|Raffles Institution]] and graduated from the [[National University of Singapore]] in 1972 with a Bachelor of Science (with honours) in chemistry.<ref name="ACShistbook">{{cite book |author1=Yi-Sheng Ng |title=On His Wings: Soaring twenty years on |author2=Fanny Tan |publisher=Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) |year=2008 |location=Singapore |oclc=225868100}}</ref> He went on to earn his Doctor of Philosophy in clinical biochemistry at the [[University of Oxford]] in 1975 under a [[Rhodes Scholarship]].<ref name='ACShistbook' />

== Career ==
Ong became a physiology lecturer at the Faculty of Medicine of the [[National University of Singapore]] (NUS) from 1975 till 1991.<ref name="ACShistbook" /> 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 published papers in international journals on exercise physiology, sports ergonomics and fitness assessments as well as research papers on education.<ref name='ACShistbook' /> 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 Broadcast, Publications & Arts Appeal Advisory Committee (BPAAC),<ref>[http://app.sgdi.gov.sg/mobile/agency.asp?agency_id=0000000025 Singapore Government Directory Interactive]. Retrieved 7 October 2008.</ref> 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.<ref>[http://www.rom.gov.sg/rom/reg_info/pdf/Church_List.pdf Licensed Solemnisers, Churches] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080920214215/http://www.rom.gov.sg/rom/reg_info/pdf/Church_List.pdf |date=20 September 2008 }} p.7 (n.d.)</ref>

Ong was appointed Principal of [[Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)]] in 1994 when his predecessor, Lawrence Chia, stepped down after six years.<ref name='ACShistbook' /> Ong's appointment was initially controversial, as he was a former student of [[Raffles Institution (Secondary)|Raffles Institution]], a rival school.<ref name='ACShistbook' />

During his tenure as principal, ACS(I) gained the Singapore Quality Award and the Singapore Quality Class<ref>[http://www.spring.gov.sg/portal/products/awards/sqa/sqa.html Singapore Quality Awards]</ref> in recognition of administrative and educational excellence. Singapore Quality Class (SQC) is the certification for the overall business excellence standard, and the Singapore Quality Award (SQA) is conferred on organisations that demonstrate the highest standards of business excellence. The school received many other awards, such as the School Excellence Award (an award for academic excellence), the School Distinction Award, the Best Practice Awards and many awards at the [[Odyssey of the Mind]] (OM) World Finals.<ref name='ACShistbook' /> Ong also serves as the Odyssey of the Mind Singapore Tournament Director.<ref>[http://www.odysseyofthemind.com.sg Odyssey of the Mind.] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081007033758/http://www.odysseyofthemind.com.sg/ |date=7 October 2008 }}</ref>

Ong was initially the Vice-Principal for pastoral care in the school. This is currently a core component of the school's curriculum.<ref name='ACShistbook' /> Ong introduced the practice of naming classes after biblical heroes, books or cities in 1997, as well as the practice of dedicating each academic year to an inspirational theme from the Bible.<ref name='ACShistbook' />

The [[International Baccalaureate]] Diploma Programme was introduced during his tenure. The school was the first in the [[Singapore education system]] to implement the programme. This was a significant step in the reform of Singaporean education system,<ref>A.M. Chew (2008). 'The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme & TSLN' in J. Tan and P. T. Ng (Eds.), Thinking Schools, Learning Nation: Contemporary Issues and Challenges, 206–230. Singapore: Prentice Hall/Pearson Education.</ref> which had been cited by critics as being too harsh and rigid in its regimen, not to mention its examination-centric approach towards achieving academic excellence.

Ong maintained the school's reputation for strict discipline. He has said:<blockquote>
"We have [[School corporal punishment|corporal punishment]] for serious offences. If parents disagree, then they should not have put their child in this school".<ref>[http://www.corpun.com/sgs00107.htm#7462 Want to complain about your child's teacher?], ''The Straits Times'', Singapore, 16 July 2001.</ref></blockquote>
The Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) publicity material for the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme additionally emphasises that IB students guilty of serious violations of [[academic dishonesty]], if male, may be [[Caning in Singapore#School caning|caned]].<ref>[http://www.acs.sch.edu.sg/acs_indep/uploads/powerpoints/Principal%20Briefing%20for%20Year%205%20Parents%2027%20May.pdf Briefing by Principal to Parents/Guardians] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120215094817/http://www.acs.sch.edu.sg/acs_indep/uploads/powerpoints/Principal%20Briefing%20for%20Year%205%20Parents%2027%20May.pdf |date=15 February 2012 }}, ACS(I), 27 May 2006.</ref>

In 31 July 2016, Ong was appointed principal of [[SISB|Singapore International School Of Bangkok (SISB)]] Sixth Form and brought many new changes to the school administration, reflecting the styles of teaching in his previous school. Ong resigned as principal of SISB in mid-2024 after serving for eight years.

=== Incident ===
On 4 October 2010, Ong announced his resignation as Principal/CEO of [[Anglo-Chinese School (Independent)|Anglo-Chinese School]].<ref>Satish Cheney (4 October 2010). [http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/1085093/1/.html "Principal of ACS Independent steps down"]. ''Channel News Asia'' (Singapore).</ref>

It was implied that he stepped down for health reasons. However, his resignation came shortly after allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards a male teacher had been made about him to the ACS Board of Governors.<ref>worldnewspapers.in (23 November 2010). [http://www.worldnewspapers.in/11/mark-richie-tan.html "Mark Richie Tan"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110101131233/http://www.worldnewspapers.in/11/mark-richie-tan.html|date=1 January 2011}}. ''World Newspapers'' (Singapore)</ref><ref>{{Cite press release |title=Statement from Mr Richard Seow (Chairman, Board of Governors) with regard to the resignation of Dr Ong Teck Chin |date=5 October 2010 |publisher=Anglo-Chinese Schools Board of Governors |url=http://www.acs.sch.edu.sg/acs_indep/news.php?id=127 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101010131626/http://www.acs.sch.edu.sg/acs_indep/news.php?id=127 |archive-date=10 October 2010 |url-status=dead |df=dmy-all}}</ref> 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.<ref>Jane Ng; Sandra Davie (6 October 2010). [http://www.straitstimes.com/BreakingNews/Singapore/Story/STIStory_587156.html "Probe into ACS Principal"]. ''The Straits Times'' (Singapore).</ref>

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.<ref>Bryna Sim (8 October 2010). [http://www.tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,257859-1286575140,00.html "I Have Done Nothing Wrong"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808041700/http://www.tnp.sg/news/story/0,4136,257859-1286575140,00.html |date=8 August 2014 }}. ''The New Paper'' (Singapore).</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite news |last=Ng |first=Jane |date=12 November 2010 |title=Ex-aide back to teach in ACS (I) |work=The Straits Times}}</ref>

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".<ref>Jane Ng (11 November 2010). [http://www.straitstimes.com/PrimeNews/Story/STIStory_601796.html "Panel 'reinforces allegations"]. ''The Straits Times''</ref> 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 at ACS was 30 November 2010.<ref name="pressrelease20101122">{{Cite press release |title=Statement from the ACS Board of Governors and ACS(I) Board of Management |date=22 November 2010 |publisher=Anglo-Chinese School (Independent) |url=http://www.acs.sch.edu.sg/acs_indep/news.php?id=130 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101231084834/http://www.acs.sch.edu.sg/acs_indep/news.php?id=130 |archive-date=31 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Accolades ==
*The Outstanding Young Person of Singapore (Silver) [[Jaycees]] International Award in 1975<ref name="ACShistbook" />
*The National Day Commendation Medal (Military) in 1994 in recognition of his contributions to the [[Singapore Armed Forces]] (SAF)<ref name="ACShistbook" />
*The National Institute of Education Dr Ruth Wong Gold Medal for the Diploma in Education Administration(Secondary)<ref name="ACShistbook" />
*The Public Administration Medal (Silver), awarded during National Day 1997<ref name="ACShistbook" />

== Personal life ==
In April 2008, Ong underwent major [[open heart surgery]] to correct [[coronary disease]].<ref>Anglo Chinese School (Independent), Principal's Circular to Parents, Term 3 2008 (2008).</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Ong, Teck Chin}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Heads of schools in Singapore]]
[[Category:Singaporean Rhodes Scholars]]
[[Category:Raffles Institution alumni]]
[[Category:1949 births]]
[[Category:National University of Singapore alumni]]
[[Category:20th-century Singaporean educators]]
[[Category:21st-century Singaporean educators]]

Ong Teck Chin - Revision history

imported>Justanothersgwikieditor: Reverted 1 edit by 103.240.170.36 (talk) to last revision by 147.50.77.130