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New Professional Development Programme for preschool principals and senior teachers

SINGAPORE — Preschool principals and senior teachers will be groomed for higher positions under a new three-year programme that will enable them to go on overseas study trips and receive cash incentives.

Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Desmond Lee visiting an exhibition booth at this year's Early Childhood Conference, where he had also announced a new leadership programme to develop the skills of principals and senior teachers. Photo: ECDA

Minister for Social and Family Development Mr Desmond Lee visiting an exhibition booth at this year's Early Childhood Conference, where he had also announced a new leadership programme to develop the skills of principals and senior teachers. Photo: ECDA

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SINGAPORE — Preschool principals and senior teachers will be groomed for higher positions under a new three-year programme that will enable them to go on overseas study trips and receive cash incentives.

The Professional Development Programme (PDP) for Leaders will equip participants to develop a quality curriculum and impart their skills to junior educators.

Launched on Friday (Oct 6) by Social and Family Development Minister Desmond Lee at an annual Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) conference, the programme is expected to start in the first half of next year and draw about 400 educators over the next four years. Nominations for the first batch are now open until Dec 8.

It is open to principals with at least three years’ experience managing a pre-school as well as lead teachers with at least five years of experience in the sector.

Participants, who will be nominated by their employers and assessed by ECDA, will get up to S$15,000 when they complete the programme and could then become senior centre leaders and senior lead teachers.

While on the programme, they will continue to work at their current centres.

The new initiative is part of recent efforts to develop the skills of preschool educators, said Mr Lee. Last year, ECDA introduced a similar programme for teachers and educarers. To date, close to 80 educarers and 250 teachers have come onboard.

A new national training institute for early childhood educators will also be set up.

“Our profession needs to grow and develop, so we can play our part in nurturing our future generation,” said Mr Lee. “As educators, you can certainly look forward to even stronger support at every stage of your career.”

Ms Thahirah Ibrahim, Principal of Iyad Perdaus Nurture Care, has been nominated for the PDP for Leaders and is keen to pick up skills to bring out the best in her teachers.

The programme is a strong signal that the Government is “serious” about growing the career prospects of educators at all levels, said Ms Thahirah, 28. It also shows “lifelong learning is essential”.

“If I don’t upgrade, then I won’t be seen as a good role model. But if I constantly go for courses, it will inspire my teachers to build up their skills,” she said.

Educators said the PDP for Leaders is “timely” as the Government is ramping up the pre-school sector. In the next five years, 40,000 more places will open up in the sector, while the number of pre-school teachers will rise from the current 16,000 to 20,000 by 2020.

It is important for leaders to ensure that their curriculum and pedagogical practices are “progressive and relevant”, said Dr Jacqueline Chung, Senior Principal and Academic Director at St. James’ Church Kindergarten.

For instance, art lessons are not simply about making “cute little art works” – teachers should facilitate “meaningful art explorations” that allow children to express their views, ideas and feelings through art, said Dr Chung. “Knowledgeable leaders have a strong influence on the culture and pedagogy in their centres.”

Mr Lee also announced the extension of the ECDA Fellows Programme, where educators take on “sector-level roles” such as leading master classes and workshops. There are currently 14 fellows and the next round of applications closes at the end of the month.

 

 

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