For Mr Edmund Teo, the bursary has been a meaningful way to ease financial burdens and enable his children, Jay and Joy (above) to focus on their education and personal growth.
Balancing work and family life is no easy feat for Edmund Teo. The 49-year-old taxi driver spends long hours navigating Singapore’s roads to provide for his family, often with little time left to spend with them. The nature of his work — affected by factors like weather, demand and rising costs — means that managing finances requires careful planning and adaptability.
In 2021, Edmund came across the HomeTeamNS Children’s Education Awards and decided to apply. Over the past four years, the bursary has provided consistent support, enabling Edmund and his children, Joy and Jay, to focus on what matters most: Excelling in school and pursuing their passions.
Since its launch in 2004, the HomeTeamNS Children’s Education Awards has benefited nearly 2,700 selected candidates, offering financial assistance to HomeTeamNS Ordinary members with school-going children. With bursaries of up to $1,100 in cash and vouchers for primary, secondary and tertiary students, the award helps families provide essential resources to support their children’s education.
The Teo family celebrates their achievements alongside Assoc Prof Dr Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim (in light blue shirt), Minister of State, Ministry of Home Affairs & Ministry of National Development and HomeTeamNS President, at the Children’s Education Awards ceremony, held during the HomeTeamNS Annual General Meeting on 10 October 2024.
For Edmund, the bursary has been a welcome relief, allowing him to supplement his children’s educational needs. “The monetary assistance and Popular Bookstore vouchers were a huge help,” he shares. “With the vouchers, we bought a laser printer, which was a game-changer for Joy as she could print out revision worksheets for her O-Levels instead of straining her eyes on her personal learning device.”
Beyond funding essentials like tuition fees, the bursary also encouraged the children to explore their love for reading. “Joy and Jay love buying books that aren’t available in libraries,” Edmund adds. “This has greatly strengthened their English and Chinese writing skills.”
For 17-year-old Joy and 13-year-old Jay, their academic journeys are shaped by determination, discipline and diverse interests. Joy’s dedication earned her straight As in her O-Levels, paving the way for her current studies at Hwa Chong Institution. Meanwhile, Jay followed suit with an outstanding AL1 in all his PSLE subjects, securing a spot at Raffles Institution.
For Joy, maintaining balance has been key to her success. She reflects: “One of the most important ways I stayed focused and motivated was by giving myself time to relax and have fun instead of studying non-stop. For instance, I completed an entire puzzle-themed mobile game during the O-Level season — it had about 550 levels! Taking breaks helped me manage stress and motivated me to give my best during study sessions.”
Her ability to balance academics with her passions is evident in her varied achievements. As a former member of the Literary Drama Society at CHIJ St. Nicholas Girls’ School, Joy represented her school at the SYF Arts Presentation. She also served as logistics IC for Project VitaminSea, collaborating with SG Beach Warriors to promote marine conservation. One memorable event was a comic-drawing competition that raised awareness about climate change. “It was heartwarming to see so many students submit creative designs, which we displayed around the school,” she recalls. These experiences strengthened her confidence and organisational skills, aligning with her aspiration to be a well-rounded individual.
Currently, Joy juggles her studies with her role in the First Aid Club, where she learns vital skills like CPR and bandaging. “These sessions help me de-stress and teach skills that could come in handy one day,” she notes.
Looking ahead, Joy is eager to embrace new opportunities in the coming year. While adjusting to the faster pace and more complex subjects of pre-tertiary education, she has developed an interest in Economics, particularly topics like behavioural economics that connect classroom learning to real-world scenarios. “I’m also working on leadership and communication skills to build confidence and collaborate more effectively with others. Next year, I aim to balance academic excellence with personal growth, becoming a more well-rounded individual ready to tackle new challenges,” she says.
Jay has similarly found success through a balanced approach to academics and his extracurricular passions. A prefect at Chongfu School before joining Raffles Institution, Jay attributes his achievements to a relaxed yet supportive environment. “I wasn’t very stressed because I revised consistently with motivation from my mum, plus the support of my classmates, teachers and friends,” he shares. “Special shoutout to everyone from 6 Gracious 2023, who made what could have been a stressful year fun and enjoyable!”
His enthusiasm for learning is matched by his love for Scouts and photography, which provide him with personal fulfillment and balance. Thanks to the bursary, his parents were able to purchase camping supplies that allowed him to fully participate in Scouts activities, enriching his holistic development.
For Edmund, the family’s success is a team effort, and he is quick to credit his wife, Cecilia. “None of this would have been possible without her. As a homemaker, she juggles household chores and supports the kids with their revision,” he says.
Their proudest moment? Seeing both Joy and Jay achieve perfect scores in their national exams — a testament to their collective effort and resilience.
Joy and Jay (front row, third and fourth from right) on stage during the Children’s Education Awards ceremony, taking a group photo with HomeTeamNS’ guests of honours.
For the Teos, the HomeTeamNS Children’s Education Awards is more than financial assistance — it’s a stepping stone to success. By easing financial stress, the bursary has empowered Joy and Jay to thrive both academically and personally, proving that with the right resources, families can unlock their fullest potential.
Like our stories? Subscribe to our Frontline Digital newsletters now! Simply download the HomeTeamNS Mobile App and update your communication preference to ‘Receive Digital Frontline Magazine’, through the App Settings.
