From struggle to strength: Mint Lim’s journey to redefining inclusive education for the next generation

“Growing up with dyslexia, I struggled to find joy in learning. Every lesson felt like a battle, every word a mountain to climb. There were many moments when I felt I wasn’t enough. But my parents saw beyond my struggles – they saw me. My dad would say, “It’s okay if you take five years to do what others take one. You’ll still get there.” And my mum, with her endless wisdom, would remind me, “If I teach you to be like me, at best, you’ll only be as good as me. But if I nurture you to walk your own path, there’s no limit to how good you can be.”

That love and belief changed everything. I realised that learning isn’t about fitting into a mould – it’s about discovering your way of making sense of the world. Yet, I saw many children struggling, not because they weren’t capable, but because they learnt differently from how they were taught. That was when everything clicked for me. Education should be about the joy of discovery – a journey that is personal, empowering and fun. No child should feel small in a classroom just because they process information differently. That’s why I started School of Concepts (SOC) – to give every child the key to unlocking their best way of learning and owning it.

The turning point for me was a simple observation: In a class of 40, only the top three were celebrated, while every other child tried to be like them. I wondered, why can’t every child be celebrated as number one in their own way? This question became the foundation of SOC’s methodology – empowering each child to identify their optimal learning style and own it.

Empathy is the seed of innovation, and the SOC Method was born from my struggles and the belief that no child should be left behind. Our methodology, often compared to the Visual, Auditory and Kinesthetic (VAK) method, takes it a step further with a blend of visuals, structured workflows, and proprietary software. It adapts across subjects, making learning more engaging and accessible, and identifies a child’s optimal learning style within seconds – building confidence, curiosity, and a lifelong love for learning.

We have seen children who once struggled become excited about learning and find joy in subjects they once feared. By recognising individual learning styles, every child feels seen, supported, and empowered.

Singapore has built a world-class education system, and I feel immense pride in bringing the Singapore brand to other countries. SOC has expanded into Japan, Vietnam, Indonesia, and Hong Kong, with India and Central Asia in the pipeline. A big part of this growth is thanks to the strong trust and credibility that comes with being a Singaporean brand – created, built, and managed by Singaporeans. Partners and parents abroad have confidence in the standards we uphold.

During my five years of research and development, my goal was to create SOC as a sustainable business with scalable impact. The sweet spot I found was reserving 30 per cent of our seats for underserved children, while providing in-house subsidies of up to 91 per cent for those hindered by financial constraints.

Becoming Singapore’s first Cartier Women’s Initiative (CWI) Fellow was also a huge milestone for me. CWI brought together talents from around the world driven by a shared mission to solve pressing issues, and its support has been life-changing. I am deeply grateful for their belief in our mission. This journey has reaffirmed one thing for me: When we work together, we can change the world. And one day, no child will be left behind. Inclusive education means every child feels seen, valued, and empowered to succeed in their own way.”

In honour of International Women’s Day and Singapore’s 60th year, we’re celebrating the extraordinary women who have shaped its story. With Shiseido’s support, we honour the Advocators who are amplifying marginalised voices – and building a more inclusive, equitable, and compassionate Singapore.

To learn more about the 60 women who have shaped Singapore as we know it today, click here.