SINGAPORE, Nov 9 — Sixteen individuals who led the Tanjong Katong Primary School pupils on Mount Kinabalu when an earthquake struck in June, including five who lost their lives, were yesterday bestowed Commendation Medals at the National Day Investiture.

“As a final measure of devotion to their duties, five of these individuals lost their lives. In the crisis situation that ensued, the 11 who survived conducted themselves commendably as a group in protecting and caring for their charges,” said the citation.

“Their actions under difficult circumstances exemplify the spirit of educators.”

On June 5, a 6-magnitude earthquake struck Mount Kinabalu and claimed the lives of seven of the school’s pupils and two teachers, as well as a Singaporean mountain guide.

One of the medal recipients, Mohamed Faizal Abdul Salam, who received his award from President Tony Tan, said it was a “nice gesture”. He had shielded a pupil beside him when the earthquake struck and sustained a skull fracture.

“But more than us, it’s also nice that it’s given to the colleagues who passed away and the Mountain Torq guides because I think everybody played an equal role in whatever that happened,” he said.

The five posthumous Commendation Medals were awarded to Mohammad Ghazi Mohamed and Terrence Sebastian Loo — the two other teachers who had accompanied the pupils — Camp Challenge instructor Muhammad Daanish Amran and Mountain Torq trainers Ricky Masirin and Valerian Joannes.

Some 450 award recipients and another 850 guests attended the ceremony at the National University of Singapore.

Former Cabinet minister S Dhanabalan was conferred the nation’s top civilian honour, the Order of Temasek (First Class). Dhanabalan, 77, is the eighth person in Singapore’s history to receive the award, last given in 2013 to former President S R Nathan.

Also among this year’s recipients was former Singapore National Employers Federation president Stephen Lee, 68, who received the Order of Nila Utama (First Class).

Six others received the Distinguished Service Order: Former Tiong Bahru, Bukit Merah and Tanjong Pagar Member of Parliament Ch’ng Jit Koon; non-resident ambassador to Israel Winston Choo; non-resident ambassador to Switzerland Tee Tua Ba; Centre for Liveable Cities advisory board chairman Liu Thai-Ker; Gardens by the Bay chief executive officer Tan Wee Kiat; and former Senior Minister of State Sidek Saniff. — TODAY