INCA Education around the world
Singapore : Initial Teacher Training
7.2.1 Control
7.2.2 Types of training courses and institutions
7.2.2.1 Admissions
7.2.3 Trainers
7.2.4 Curriculum for initial teacher training
7.2.5 Qualifications and standards
7.2.5.1 Qualifications and entitlement to teach
7.2.5.2 Probationary periods
7.2.6 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 They have not been updated since March 2009 and the information provided in them may have been superseded.
7.2 Second phase, compulsory primary education, ages 6-12
7.2.1 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
7.2.2 Types of training courses and institutions
The following courses are available at the National Institute of Education (NIE) (part of Nanyang Technological University) for the initial training of teachers for this phase:
- A one-year Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) (for teaching in all levels of schools).
- A two-year Diploma in Education (DipEd) (for teaching in primary schools only).
- A four-year Bachelor of Arts BA (Education) or Bachelor of Science BSc (Education) degree (for teaching in primary schools only).
- Four-year Teacher Training Diplomas in either Art and Music, Mother Tongue Language (MTL) or Home Economics (for teaching MTL in primary schools, and for teaching Art and Music and Home Economics in secondary schools).
- For physical education (PE), a two-year training programme for the PGDE (PE) or Dip(PE) for teachers teaching PE as one of their subjects.72
(The course an individual student follows depends on the level of educational qualifications the candidate already holds.)
7.2.2.1 Admissions
Those selected by the Ministry of Education (MOE) are required to undertake their initial teacher training at the National Institute of Education (NIE). Before gaining admission to the NIE, candidates have to pass the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT) if they are not exempted.72
To be admitted into the teacher training programmes at the NIE, applicants must meet the minimum admission requirements of each programme (see below) and succeed in an interview held by the Ministry of Education. Once accepted, candidates are employed by the Ministry of Education. They are paid a salary, which varies depending on their entry qualifications, whilst undertaking their training at the NIE. This aims to free them from financial worries.76
To gain admission to courses of initial teacher training in NIE, applicants should possess one of the following entry qualifications:
For the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE):
A university degree. While a general degree will suffice, it is preferred if candidates have read and majored in at least one teaching subject.72
For the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PE) (PGDE (PE)):
Candidates are required to hold the same qualifications as for the PGDE, and also have to pass a 'Physical Proficiency Test' (PPT) before they can be accepted into the NIE for the PGDE (PE) course.72
For the Diploma in Education (DipEd):
Either:
A Polytechnic Diploma, plus 5 'O' Level passes including English and Mathematics; or
2 'A' Level and 2 'AO' Level passes (including the General Paper) (taken at one or two sittings), plus 5 'O' Level passes including English and mathematics.72
For the Diploma in Physical Education (Dip(PE)):
Candidates are required to hold the same qualifications as for the DipEd, and also have to pass a 'Physical Proficiency Test' (PPT) before they can be accepted into the NIE for the Diploma in Physical Education course.72
For the Bachelor of Arts in Education (BA (Education))/ Bachelor of Science in Education (BSc (Education)) degree:
'A' Level holders and Polytechnic Diploma holders who wish to pursue the four-year teaching degree may apply for the BA (Education) / BSc (Education) programme if they meet the following minimum criteria:
For 'A' level and Polytechnic Diploma holders:
5 GCE 'O' Level passes including a pass in English as a first language
A pass in mathematics obtained either at GCE 'O' Level or GCE 'A' Level.
Plus, for GCE 'A' Level holders:
2 'A' Level passes and 2 'AO' Level passes including a pass in English.72
For the Bachelor of Arts in Education with PE (BA/BSc(Education)(PE)):
Candidates are required to hold the same qualifications as for the BA/BSc(Ed), and also have to pass a 'Physical Proficiency Test' (PPT) before they can be accepted into the NIE for the BA/BSc(Ed)(PE) course.70
For the Teacher Training Diplomas in Art and Music, Mother Tongue Language (MTL) or Home Economics:
5 GCE 'O' Level passes.72
In addition, to qualify for entry into NIE, candidates usually need to pass the Entrance Proficiency Test (EPT).72
7.2.3 Trainers
Students are guided and assisted towards attaining teaching competencies through systematic observation, assistance and advice, both from co-operating teachers in the schools where they carry out their Practicum (teaching practice)and from NIE supervisors.74
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION BEING COLLECTED.
7.2.4 Curriculum for initial teacher training
All teacher trainees who are not trained in teaching pedagogy follow training courses at the National Institute of Education (NIE). The following programmes are offered:
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) Programme
Officers appointed to the General Education Officer 1 (GEO 1) scale follow the one-year PGDE programme. This includes:
- Education studies (concepts and principles of education).
- Curriculum studies (methods and techniques of teaching assigned subjects).
Practicum. - Language enrichment and academic discourse skills.72
More details are available at the NIE Website (http://www.nie.edu.sg).
Diploma in Education Programme (DipEd)
Officers appointed to the General Education Officer 2 (GEO 2) scale follow the two-year DipEd programme. All PE teachers undergo a two-year training programme.
The two-year training programme at NIE covers:
- Education studies (concepts and principles of education).
- Curriculum studies (pedagogy: teaching assigned subjects).
- Curriculum content (reinforcement of subject content).
- Academic subjects (content studies of assigned subjects).
- Practicum.
- Language enrichment and academic discourse skills.
- General electives (electives in addition to core modules).72
More details on the DipEd programme are available on the NIE website (http://www.nie.edu.sg).
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Education (BA/BSc (Education)) and Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Education (PE) (BA/BSc (Education)(PE))
The National Institute of Education (NIE) at the Nanyang Technological University offers degree courses leading to the award of Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science (BA/BSc (Education)) or Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Education (PE) (BA/BSc (Education)(PE)). These degree courses aim to provide a rounded university education through rigorous exposure to one academic subject and training in the skills needed to teach in primary schools.72
'A' Level holders and Polytechnic Diploma holders who wish to pursue the four-year teaching degree may apply for the BA / BSc (Education) programme and the BA/BSc (Education)(PE) programme.72
Courses extend over a period of four years with the possibility of Honours being awarded based on excellent overall performance. The academic and pedagogical courses are distributed throughout the four years with significant emphasis on the Practicum in the third and fourth (final) year.72
The BA / BSc (Education) courses and the BA/BSc (Education)(PE) courses comprise seven areas of study:
Academic subjects: covers the content knowledge of one subject and its fundamental concept and principles. Students must choose one academic subject to study throughout the course. An arts student must choose one arts academic subject, for example, or a science student one science subject.
Educational studies: students learn key concepts and principles of education that are necessary for effective teaching and reflective practice in schools. They also have the opportunity for in-depth study of some key aspects of education.
Curriculum studies: these are designed to give students the skills to teach the subjects they will eventually teach in Singapore schools.
Curriculum content: these modules help to reinforce the mastering of subject content for primary school teaching.
Essential modules: the modules in this category are part of the core curriculum and provide a broader perspective on education.
Practicum (teaching practice). Students are attached to schools to develop their teaching competency in a variety of contexts and at different levels. During the Practicum, students are closely supervised by NIE lecturers and learn from experienced teachers in schools about the schooling process. Students use the knowledge and skills acquired from the education studies and curriculum studies components of the course to integrate theory with practice.
General electives: In addition to the core modules and the required number of prescribed electives, trainee teachers must study some general electives which can be chosen from subjects offered by the University, whether within or outside the Institute. Depending on their specialist subject, trainee teachers on the primary course are required to study different types of general electives within their area of specialisation.72
Teacher Training Diplomas in Mother Tongue Language (MTL)
The training programme covers:
Core Subjects: general paper (English), higher mother tongue, mother tongue literature, educational theories, teaching methods.
Enrichment subjects: information technology, physical training, cultural studies and activities, seminars/workshops/talks, literature, personal effectiveness programme, Practicum.72
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PE) (PGDE (PE)) and Diploma in Physical Education (Dip(PE))
NIE also offers a two-year training programme for teachers teaching physical education (PE) as one of their subjects.72
This programme covers:
- Education studies.
- Curriculum studies in PE.
- Curriculum content in other subjects and PE.
- Academic subjects in PE.
- Practicum (teaching practice)
- Language enrichment and academic discourse skills.72
Teacher training candidates wishing to teach PE also have to pass the Physical Proficiency Test (PPT) before they can be accepted into NIE to take the two-year Diploma in Physical Education course.72
7.2.5 Qualifications and standards
7.2.5.1 Qualifications and entitlement to teach
Qualified primary teachers possess either the PGDE, DipEd, BA/BSc in Education or Teacher Training Diploma (in art and music, Mother Tongue Language (MTL) or Home Economics) depending on the course they have followed at the NIE.72
After graduating from the NIE, newly qualified primary teachers are posted, by the Ministry of Education (MOE), to a school requiring their area of expertise. They may request to be posted to their alma mater or a school of their choice, but this is subject to approval. The needs of schools take precedence over all else. After teaching for three years in a particular school, teachers may request a posting to the Ministry's Headquarters or to another school. Posting exercises are held once a year.72
Whilst most teachers are required to teach the subject they are trained in, they may also be asked to teach other subjects. It is important for new teachers to be prepared to teach the subjects they are assigned. The principal may, for example, assign them to teach English in addition to their core teaching subjects (e.g. maths and science), provided they are deemed suitable and competent.72
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE)
Successful candidates for entrance to the PGDE are placed on the General Education Officer 1 (GEO 1) scale. This is the entry grade for teachers whose university degree meets the requirements for appointment. Degree holders who do not meet the Ministry's requirements for appointment on the GEO 1 scale are placed on the GEO 2 scale.72
On graduating from the NIE with a PGDE, newly qualified teachers are required to serve a three-year teaching bond. They may teach at the following levels:
- Primary
- Secondary
- Junior colleges (graduates with good honours degrees).72
- Diploma in Education (DipEd) and Diploma in Physical Education (Dip(PE))
Successful candidates for DipEd and Dip(PE) courses - who must be Polytechnic Diploma holders - are placed on the General Education Officer 2 (GEO 2). Training takes two years, at the end of which trainees are awarded the Diploma in Education (DipEd) or Diploma in Physical Education (Dip(PE)).72
Candidates are trained to teach in primary schools. Subjects taught at primary level include English, science and mathematics. Mother Tongue Language (MTL) teachers need only teach MTL. All primary school teachers have to teach co-curricular activities (CCA) (extra-curricular activities) as assigned by the school principal.72
Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Education (BA/BSc (Education))
At the end of their four-year training, trainee teachers are awarded a BA/BSc in Education, depending on whether an arts or science subject is studied as the main academic subject. These newly qualified teachers are qualified to teach in primary schools.72
Teacher Training Diplomas in Art and Music, Mother Tongue Language (MTL) and Home Economics
Successful candidates are employed to teach the following subjects at the following levels upon successful completion of their training in NIE:
Primary level: Mother Tongue Languages (MTL).
Secondary level: Art and Music, Home Economics.72
Upon completion of their NIE training, candidates serve a five-year teaching bond.72
7.2.5.2 Probationary periods
See 7.2.6.
7.2.6 Post-qualification induction periods
After their NIE training, newly qualified teachers are employed to teach in a school as a 'beginning teacher'. As such, they are given 80 per cent of their normal responsibility load during their first year of service. The 20 per cent off-loading is to enable them to learn from experienced teachers, co-teach, and acquire on-the-job training. They are mentored and guided throughout by senior teachers and other experienced teachers. Beginning newly qualified teachers work with their mentors and seek their guidance. Teachers benefit by sharing best practice and improving on ideas, materials, techniques, lesson plans and organisational skills.72
