MOE steps up recruitment drive with 7,500 new jobs
By Cheryl Frois, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 30 December 2008 1803 hrs

	Photos  of

SINGAPORE: The Education Ministry (MOE) is stepping up its recruitment drive. More than 7,000 teaching and teaching-support jobs will be available next year.

In addition, the ministry is also looking at enhancing infrastructure and offering financial assistance schemes to students to cope with the economic downturn.

MOE and its schools plan to fill 3,500 jobs, while a further 4,000 will come from institutes of higher learning and the kindergarten sector. This was announced at the appointment ceremony for 50 principals on Tuesday.

The education sector in Singapore currently employs some 29,400 teachers.

Education Minister Ng Eng Hen said: "We also recognise that the available source of people to recruit gives us an opportunity to push up recruitment now."

In April this year, teachers and principals received a pay increase of as much as 18 per cent.

With relevant work experience, teacher recruits can earn up to S$4,300 a month while they train to become a teacher. Trained teachers can earn up to S$5,000 immediately after training.

Dr Ng said salary cuts across the board next year are unlikely.

"For the education sector on a whole, I don't think it's government policy to say there's a paycut for everybody. It doesn't make sense economically because then you are basically controlling it centrally. Market forces will dictate."

There will also be an accelerated training programme to help mid-career professionals become kindergarten teachers. Other mid-career options are positions like polytechnic lecturers and education policy analysts.

Principal of Qiaonan Primary School, Victor Tan, who joined the teaching profession from the legal field, said: "I joined education in 1997 as a teacher and from then, they have provided huge opportunities for us to be developed as school leaders and it's progressive in nature.

"So, as a teacher, if you perform well, they do identify and provide training to move you up the value chain."

Despite the economic turmoil, MOE says it will not be cutting back on enhancement programmes for teachers or infrastructure projects for schools. The ministry says it needs to spend more now in order to get more in certain areas.

MOE also intends to capitalise on the recession by attracting top faculties from Singapore and overseas to improve its faculty-student ratio.

The ministry will also assist students whose families face financial difficulties during the economic recession.

Principal of Gan Eng Seng Primary School, Thian Ai Ling, said: "Whenever there are difficulties raised (by the students), we will do our best to help them."

Schools will receive grants to help this group of students who may not meet eligibility criteria under normal circumstances.

- CNA/yt