INCA Education around the world
Singapore : Initial Teacher Training
7.1.1 Control
7.1.2 Types of training courses and institutions
7.1.2.1 Admissions
7.1.3 Trainers
7.1.4 Curriculum for initial teacher training
7.1.5 Qualifications and standards
7.1.5.1 Qualifications and entitlement to teach
7.1.5.2 Probationary periods
7.1.6 Post-qualification induction periods
Please note that the initial teacher training sections of the website were originally funded by the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA). They have not been updated since March 2009 and the information provided in them may have been superseded.
7.1 First phase, pre-compulsory education, ages 0-6
Pre-school education caters for children from the ages of 3 to 6/7 years in 'kindergartens' or from 2 months to 6/7 years of age in 'childcare centres'. Although pre-school education is not compulsory, as parents in Singapore place a premium on education in general, almost 99 per cent of children experience between one and three years of pre-school education.
7.1.1 Control
The Singapore Ministry of Education (MOE) is responsible for the initial training of teachers. Applications for teaching positions in initial teacher training are handled by the Ministry.72
Pre-school teacher training courses are accredited by the Pre-School Qualification Accreditation Committee (PQAC). PQAC is jointly steered by the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Community Development and Sports (MCDS). The PQAC sets the training direction for pre-school teacher training in Singapore.73
7.1.2 Types of training courses and institutions
Pre-school teacher training courses are provided by the National Institute of Education (NIE) at Nanyang Technological University, Ngee Ann Polytechnic and other training institutes.73
The following courses are offered:
- Certificate in Pre-School Teaching (CPT): 470 hours (in-service).
- Diploma in Pre-School Education - Teaching (DPE-T): 700 hours (in-service).
- Diploma in Pre-School Education - Leadership (DPE-L): 500 hours (in-service).
- Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Teaching & Leadership): 1,200 hours (pre-service).
- Specialist Diploma in Early Childhood Education (Teaching & Leadership) (SDPE): 800 hours (in-service).73
Candidates holding a Certificate or Diploma in Education from the NIE (see section 7.2, 7.3 and 7.4) are not exempt from pre-school teacher training and are required to undergo diploma training in pre-school education. Training in early childhood development, pedagogy and curricular components is essential for those wishing to work in the early childhood field.73
7.1.2.1 Admissions
To gain admission to courses of pre-school initial teacher training, applicants should possess the following entry qualifications:
For the Certificate in Pre-School Teaching (CPT):
- Minimum 3 'O' Level credits, including English Language or Mother Tongue Language.
For the Diploma in Pre-School Education - Teaching (DPE-T):
- Minimum 5 'O' Level credits, including English Language or Mother Tongue Language.
For the Diploma in Pre-School Education - Leadership (DPE-L):
- Candidates must hold the Diploma in Pre-School Education - Teaching (DPE-T).
For the Specialist Diploma in Pre-School Education (SDPE):
- Degree or polytechnic diploma.73
7.1.3 Trainers
Teacher trainers are expected to hold the following qualifications:
For the Certificate of Pre-School Teaching (CPT)
As a minimum, trainers are required to have:
- a Bachelor's degree (general) with a professional qualification in pre-school education at diploma level and two years' teaching experience; or
- a Bachelor's degree in Early Childhood Education or a related field, with at least two years' teaching experience.79
Practicum (teaching practice) supervisors are required, as a minimum, to have:
- a Diploma qualification with at least three years' pre-school teaching experience.79
For the Diploma in Pre-School Education (DPE) and the Specialist Diploma in Pre-School Education (SDPE)
Trainers are required, as a minimum, to have:
- a Master's degree in Early Childhood Education, with at least two years' teaching experience; or
- a Master's degree (in a related field) with a professional qualification in pre-school education at the Diploma level and two years' teaching experience.79
Practicum (teaching practice) supervisors have to have:
For the Diploma in Pre-School Education-Teaching (DPE-T):
- as a minimum, a Bachelor's degree (general or pre-school related areas) with at least three years' pre-school teaching experience.79
For the Diploma in Pre-School Education - Leadership (DPE-L):
- as a minimum, a Bachelor's degree (general or pre-school related areas) with at least three years' supervisory experience in a pre-school centre.79
7.1.4 Curriculum for initial teacher training
In January 2001, the Ministry of Education (MOE) and the Ministry of Community Development & Sports (MCDS) introduced an integrated Pre-School Education (PSE) framework for teacher training and accreditation, applicable to personnel from both the kindergarten and childcare sectors.73 The framework has since been reviewed and revised accreditation standards for pre-school teacher training courses were published in November 2004.79
Certificate in Pre-School Teaching (CPT)
This course comprises the following areas of study:
- Principles and practices in pre-school education
- Child development and learning
- Curriculum studies and pedagogy
- Personal growth and professional development
- Safety, health and nutrition
- Supervised teaching practice.79
Diploma in Pre-school Education (DPE)
The Diploma in Pre-school Education (DPE) consists of the Diploma in Pre-school Education - Teaching (DPE - T) and the Diploma in Pre-school Education - Leadership (DPE - L). Students are able to complete the DPE in two stages, beginning with the DPE - T, then progressing to the DPE - L. See below for details of the course content of each diploma:
Diploma in Pre-School Education - Teaching (DPE-T)
This course comprises the following areas of study:
- Principles and practices in pre-school education 1
- Principles and practices in pre-school education 2
- Child development and learning 1
- Child development and learning 2
- Curriculum planning and pedagogy
- Personal growth and professional development 1
- Personal growth and professional development 2
- Safety, health and nutrition
- Supervised teaching practice.79
Diploma in Pre-School Education - Leadership (DPE-L)
The course comprises the following areas of study:
- Current issues and research in pre-school education
- Designing the pre-school education curriculum
- Pre-school as a focus for action research
- Planning, management and administration in pre-school settings
- Teaching practice.79
Specialist Diploma in Pre-school Education (SDPE)
This course comprises the following areas of study:
- Principles and practices in pre-school education
- Child development and learning 1
- Child development and learning 2
- Current issues and research in pre-school care and education
- Curriculum planning and pedagogy
- Designing the pre-school education curriculum
- Safety, health and nutrition
- Personal growth and professional development
- Pre-school as a focus for action research
- Planning, management and administration in pre-school settings
- Supervised teaching practice 1
- Supervised teaching practice 2.79
7.1.5 Qualifications and standards
7.1.5.1 Qualifications and entitlement to teach
Depending on the course followed, pre-school teachers gain one of the following qualifications:
- Certificate in Pre-School Teaching (CPT)
- Diploma in Pre-School Education - Teaching (DPE-T)
- Diploma in Pre-School Education - Leadership (DPE-L)
- Specialist Diploma in Pre-School Education (SDPE).73
Once qualified, pre-school teachers may teach children between 0 and 6/7 years of age.73
There is good demand for trained pre-school teachers in the field. Applications for suitable positions are made directly to kindergartens.73
7.1.5.2 Probationary periods
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT PRESENT
7.1.6 Post-qualification induction periods
NO INFORMATION AVAILABLE AT PRESENT.
