New chief aims to continue making technical education fulfilling
Mdm Low said helping ITE students discover their interests and tap their strengths is key, along with working with the relevant industries to ensure career progression for ITE graduates. Photo: Nuria Ling
SINGAPORE — She does not come with a long background in vocational education, but incoming Institute of Technical Education (ITE) chief executive Mdm Low Khah Gek can remember one standout moment when the potential of the vocational track was made clear to her: When a Normal (Technical) student who showed little interest in her grades returned from a visit to ITE inspired to become a nurse.
Capitalising on her interest, her teachers began explaining to her why certain subjects would be relevant to her aspiration, and over two years, her grades began improving.
Sharing this anecdote from her days as principal of Anderson Secondary School in an interview with TODAY, Mdm Low said she hopes to continue to shape ITE education to be flexible in its approach and help students discover their interests and tap on their strengths.
The student, recalled Mdm Low, was a “troublemaker” type who was defiant and would occasionally disrupt classes. But her attitude started to change in Secondary 2 after a school visit to one of the ITE campuses. To encourage her, her teachers also affirmed her personal qualities such as compassion, which is vital to nursing.
The experience taught Mdm Low a key lesson: Some students learn better from physical experience rather than academic lectures and textbooks, and need to see the relevance of what they are studying.
“For this group of students, they derive motivation from seeing that there is relevance and value,” said Mdm Low. “They ask the ‘why question’ and if we don’t provide the answer ... they can’t even get started.”
Mdm Low, who formally becomes ITE’s director and chief executive next month, is taking over from Mr Bruce Poh, 61, who is stepping down after a decade in the posts.
Formerly the deputy director-general of education (Schools) and director of Schools at the Ministry of Education (MOE), Mdm Low joined the education service in 1984. She had taught in Queenstown Secondary School and later served as principals in Anderson Secondary School and Victoria Junior College.
Previously a director of the MOE’s curriculum planning and development division, she was also involved in designing the curriculum for Crest Secondary School — the first specialised school for Normal (Technical) students. Based on her experiences, Mdm Low said helping ITE students discover their interests and tap their strengths is key. While some may qualify to progress to do a polytechnic diploma, others can continue to master their skills in preparation for employment.
“Every child has his or her worth and abilities ... ITE is not just training for employment per se — we do want to care for them as a whole person and always give them opportunities so that they have optimism,” said Mdm Low, who is in her mid-50s.
Asked about her plans, Mdm Low said ITE courses have to move in tandem with the changing labour trends, and that means possible regular curriculum redesigns. There is potential growth in areas such as cyber security and healthcare, she added.
It also remains key to work with the industries to ensure there is career progression in the different job functions, so that ITE graduates can move upwards, she said.
Mdm Low also wants to strengthen ITE’s alumni network to provide graduates with career guidance on how to remain relevant to the workforce, and provide them with information on courses for training.
The joke that ITE stands for “it’s the end” is no longer valid, said Mdm Low, a mother of two adult children. She aims to provide opportunities to ITE students so that no one gets left behind. “The hope is for them to have good careers and lead a good life. Everybody wants to live a fulfilling life, right?” she said. FARIS MOKHTAR
