New NIE-style institute to train early childhood educators

SINGAPORE — The new National Institute of Early Childhood Development (NIEC) will be similar to an NIE for pre-school teachers and carers, providing a full range of diploma and certificate programmes. 

NIE, the National Institute of Education, is the national teacher-training institute. The NIEC — which was announced by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Sunday (Aug 20) as part of a series of measures to improve the sector — will bring together existing programmes in Temasek Polytechnic, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, the Institute of Technical Education (ITE) and the NTUC’s Seed Institute. 

The NIEC will be set up under the ambit of NIE, “with a national mandate to develop early childhood professionals for the sector”, the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) said in a press release. More details will be announced later. 

All NIEC trainees will be offered training awards that consist of a full sponsorship with an allowance. ECDA will also work with the sector to “engage and groom promising NIEC students in their final year, to give them a smoother and strong start in their career”, the agency said.

Speaking at the National Day Rally, Mr Lee noted that there is currently no centralised institute for early childhood development.

For example, since last year, both Ngee Ann Polytechnic and the Seed Institute have offered courses on special needs for pre-school teachers. Temasek Polytechnic and ITE offer diplomas in Early Childhood Care and Education — Teaching, and Higher Nitec in Early Childhood Education, respectively. Through the NIEC, the Government hopes to encourage more people to join the pre-school sector and upgrade the profession, Mr Lee said.

He noted that Ministry of Education (MOE) teachers for primary and secondary schools, and junior colleges are trained well at the National Institute of Education.

The NIE allows trainee teachers to attend its programmes before they start teaching. It also does research and keeps itself up-to-date on the latest teaching methods. “During their careers periodically, teachers return to NIE to upgrade themselves and prepare for more senior roles,” said Mr Lee. As MOE teachers do “fulfilling work”, they are paid competitively and have good career paths, such as becoming a principal or cluster superintendent, or a subject specialist who develops new curricula.

“Because teachers are trained well, paid well and have good career prospects, good people take up teaching and we have a good education system,” he said. “We will take the same approach with pre-school teachers, to train them well…. and attract good, passionate people”. The new NIEC will have the scale to develop curricula, with different specialisations including music, art, mother tongue and special education, said Mr Lee. The faculty will also have more opportunities for professional development and progression within a larger fraternity. 

Training awards for NIEC students will be provided by the Government. “The awards will cover fees plus an allowance, so pre-school teachers can make a strong start to their careers,” he added. The Government will also work with employers to ensure good career prospects and competitive pay for pre-school teachers. While pre-school salaries have increased in the last five years, they will need to improve further as the Government upgrades the profession.

“In particular, salaries must match career progression, salaries have to be competitive not just for teachers, but also for the most senior… then you have a career which is attractive then good people will join”.

“So if you are passionate about kids, I hope you will consider a pre-school career,” Mr Lee said.