Singapore

Teachers, Teacher Education, and Professional Development

The MOE HQ centrally recruits public school teachers and sponsors their preservice teacher training at the NIE, before deploying them. A recruitment panel of experienced principals interviews the applicants and carefully selects suitable candidates. Prospective teachers are recruited from the top third of each cohort. While a small proportion of applicants hold A-Level or polytechnic qualifications, the majority are university graduates. Competitive terms of employment (established through regular reviews of teacher remuneration packages benchmarked against other professions in the labor market) also attract mid-career professionals from other industries, who bring valuable real world experiences to teaching.

Teacher Education Specific to Mathematics and Science

Mathematics and science teachers in secondary schools and junior colleges are required to hold a university degree in their respective subjects. For those who enter the NIE already holding a bachelor’s degree in their subject, initial teacher training comprises a one year Postgraduate Diploma in Education program focused on subject-specific pedagogical content knowledge related to teaching in the classroom. The NIE also offers a four year, full time program leading to a Bachelor of Arts or Science degree with a Diploma in Education, focused on both subject knowledge and pedagogical content knowledge. Nondegree programs, such as the two year Diploma in Education offered to A-Level and polytechnic graduates, and four year diploma programs in specialized areas like home economics, art, and music for O-Level graduates, are available to a small proportion of prospective teachers who mostly are deployed to primary schools upon graduation from the NIE.

All NIE teacher education programs are aligned with the national curriculum and relevant to local classroom practices. Teacher trainees in all programs are required to complete a teaching practicum of at least 10 weeks, during which they learn to translate theory into practice in the classroom, guided by experienced teachers. Teacher trainees are assessed during their practicum and must demonstrate a minimum level of competence for independent classroom practice in order to graduate. Upon graduation and deployment to schools, beginning teachers receive further mentoring, and a lighter schedule (20 percent fewer teaching hours) helps them transition into their new role.

Requirements for Ongoing Professional Development

Recognizing that teaching is a craft that needs to be continually honed through both reflective practice and purposeful professional development (PD), and that initial teacher training at the NIE is only a starting point, the MOE is committed to helping teachers remain current in terms of skills and knowledge, and well-positioned for the future. As such, all teachers are entitled to 100 hours of PD activities per year. The MOE works closely with the NIE to provide in-service training courses and advanced programs, including master’s and doctoral degrees. The MOE also provides specialized, subject-specific (e.g., mathematics or science) PD courses to help teachers stay up to date on content knowledge, pedagogical innovations, and new assessment approaches. Since 2003, in addition to formal PD courses, teachers have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning in research laboratories and in the business and community sectors through the Teacher Work Attachment program.^c Through local or overseas attachments, teachers gain new experiences and bring back fresh perspectives to their classrooms that also benefit their students.

The MOE encourages the growth of a teacher-led culture of professional excellence and innovation. The establishment of the Academy of Singapore Teachers in 2010 was a significant step toward achieving this aim. This teacher-led academy fosters pedagogical leadership focused on teacher collaboration within schools and professional networks. It also aims to strengthen the culture of teaching excellence and raise the standards of practice in the classroom and across Singapore’s education system.