Improving the Quality of Pre-school Education (PSE)

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. Taking Stock  Diversity in pre-school sector, catering to different needs, aspirations and preferences  Focus on key leverage areas to improve quality: –Raised minimum qualifications for pre-school teachers (2001) –Introduced accreditation for teacher training courses (2001) –Disseminated a curriculum framework (2003) –Promoting yearly self-appraisal (2003) –Raising English proficiency of pre-school teachers (2007/08)

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Increasing participation in pre- school –Partnering with community agencies to reach out to children not attending pre-school  The quality of pre-school education has improved over the years. Taking Stock

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. Moving Forward Scope to further uplift quality –Teaching has become more complex with teachers helping children to construct knowledge –Educational profile and expectations of parents have changed over the years

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Raising the minimum qualifications of pre-school teachers  Introducing a voluntary quality assurance and accreditation framework for pre-schools Key Initiatives

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. From 1 Jan 2009, new teachers must have 5 ‘O’ level credits including EL and DPE-T  Those with C5 or C6 in EL must obtain a minimum band 6.5 IELTS / B4 or better within 2 years  DPE-T must be obtained within 4 years Raising Minimum Qualifications of Teachers Current: 3 ‘O’ level credits including EL + CPT From 1 Jan 2013, existing teachers must have ‘O’ level EL credit / 5.5 IELTS and DPE-T to teach K1 & K2

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. Current Qualifications New Teachers (from January 2009) [Pre-Nursery/Nursery and K1/K2] Existing Teachers (from January 2013) K1/K2Pre-Nursery/ Nursery Min 3 ‘O’ level credits including EL Min 5 ‘O’ level credits including EL Those with C5 or C6 in EL must obtain a min 6.5 IELTS or B4 or better within 2 years Min 3 ‘O’ level credits including EL (or min 5.5 IELTS) Min 3 ‘O’ level credits including EL (or min 5.5 IELTS) Certificate in Pre-School Teaching Diploma in Pre-School Teaching DPE-T must be obtained within 4 years Diploma in Pre-School Teaching Certificate in Pre-School Teaching Raising Minimum Qualifications of Teachers

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Each centre to have 75% of all its pre-school teachers to meet the requirements to teach K1 & K2 by January 2013  Teachers who qualify to teach K1 & K2 comprise –All new teachers with 5 ‘O’ level credits including EL and a DPE-T –Existing teachers with an ‘O’ level EL credit / 5.5 IELTS and a DPE-T Raising Minimum Qualifications of Teachers

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. Definition of New vs Existing Teachers EXISTING TeachersNEW Teachers Registered as at 31 Dec 2008 Registered on or after 1 Jan 2009

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. Requirements for Principals  Continue with current practice of principals having to first register as teachers  No change to existing requirements for principals: - 2 years’ relevant experience - DPE-T & DPE-L

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. Notification of Teachers March 2008Circular- details on notification April 2008Letter to existing teachers- verification of qualifications July 2008Notification to existing teachers- levels they may teach as at Jan 2013, given current qualifications

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. DPE-T Entrance Requirements for Existing Teachers Until 31 Dec 2012From 1 Jan 2013 Current Training Pathway  3 ‘O’ Level credits including EL  CPT New Entry Requirements  5 ‘O’ Level credits including EL* * EL grade must be B4 or better. Those with C5 or C6 must obtain min 6.5 in IELTS.

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Bursaries for teachers to undergo academic and professional upgrading  Raise teacher training standards  Build up a pool of mentors to develop the teaching expertise in the pre-school sector Supporting Measures to Raise Teacher Qualifications

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Parents can make use of the Baby Bonus Scheme and the monies in their Child Development Account  Enhancement of CFAC and KiFAS  Additional funding for eligible kindergartens to ensure that fees remain affordable Fees and Funding

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Implement in pre-schools from 2011  Encourage pre-schools to benchmark education outcomes through self-appraisal and external assessment  Those who meet specified standards can be accredited Quality Assurance and Accreditation for Pre-Schools

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. (Grade 1) Accreditation (Grades 2 – 4) Quality Rating Self-appraisal Registration (Regulation & Inspection) apply for accreditation apply for external assessment submit report to MOE Quality Assurance and Accreditation for Kindergartens

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.  Curriculum resources  Grants to non-profit pre-schools to purchase teaching and learning resources e.g. books, software  Fund for pre-schools to innovate and experiment Supporting Measures to Raise Quality of Pre-Schools

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. In Summary New InitiativesSupporting Measures Raising the minimum qualifications of pre- school teachers  bursaries  raised teacher training standards  pool of teacher mentors  additional funding support Introducing a voluntary quality assurance and accreditation framework for pre-schools  curriculum resources  teaching and learning grants  innovation fund

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore. Contact Information MOE Tel: (Mr Alex Tang); (Mr Andrew Hong) MCYS Tel: