improving the quality of pre-school education (pse)

Improving the Quality of Pre-school Education (PSE)

http://www.moe.gov.sg/preschooleducation/

MOULDING THE FUTURE OF OUR NATION

Copyright © Ministry of Education, Singapore.


Taking Stock Diversity in pre-school sector, catering to different

needs, aspirations and preferences Focus on key leverage areas to improve quality:

– Raised minimum qualifications for pre-school teachers (2001)

– Introduced accreditation for teacher training courses (2001)

– Disseminated a curriculum framework (2003)– Promoting yearly self-appraisal (2003)– Raising English proficiency of pre-school teachers

(2007/08)




Increasing participation in pre-school– Partnering with community agencies

to reach out to children not attending pre-school

The quality of pre-school education has improved over the years.

Taking Stock





Moving Forward

Scope to further uplift quality– Teaching has become more complex

with teachers helping children to construct knowledge

– Educational profile and expectations of parents have changed over the years




Raising the minimum qualifications of pre-school teachers

Introducing a voluntary quality assurance and accreditation framework for pre-schools

Key Initiatives




From 1 Jan 2009, new teachers must have 5 ‘O’ level credits including EL and DPE-T Those with C5 or C6 in EL must obtain a minimum band 6.5 IELTS / B4 or better within 2 years DPE-T must be obtained within 4 years

Raising Minimum Qualifications of Teachers

Current: 3 ‘O’ level credits including EL + CPT

From 1 Jan 2013, existing teachers must have ‘O’ level EL credit / 5.5 IELTS and DPE-T to teach K1 & K2




CurrentQualifications

New Teachers (from January 2009)

[Pre-Nursery/Nursery and K1/K2]

Existing Teachers (from January 2013)

K1/K2 Pre-Nursery/Nursery

Min 3 ‘O’ level credits including EL

Min 5 ‘O’ level credits including ELThose with C5 or C6 in EL must obtain a min 6.5 IELTS or B4 or better within 2 years


(or min 5.5 IELTS)


(or min 5.5 IELTS)

Certificate in Pre-School Teaching

Diploma in Pre-School Teaching DPE-T must be obtained within 4 years

Diploma in Pre-School Teaching

Certificate in Pre-School Teaching





Each centre to have 75% of all its pre-school teachers to meet the requirements to teach K1 & K2 by January 2013 Teachers who qualify to teach K1 & K2 comprise

– All new teachers with 5 ‘O’ level credits including EL and a DPE-T

– Existing teachers with an ‘O’ level EL credit / 5.5 IELTS and a DPE-T





Definition of New vs Existing Teachers

EXISTING Teachers NEW Teachers

Registered as at

31 Dec 2008

Registered on or after

1 Jan 2009




Requirements for Principals

Continue with current practice of principals having to first register as teachers

No change to existing requirements for principals:

- 2 years’ relevant experience- DPE-T & DPE-L




Notification of Teachers

March 2008 Circular-

details on notification

April 2008 Letter to existing teachers- verification of qualifications

July 2008 Notification to existing teachers- levels they may teach as at Jan 2013, given current qualifications




DPE-T Entrance Requirements for Existing Teachers

Until 31 Dec 2012 From 1 Jan 2013

Current Training Pathway 3 ‘O’ Level credits including EL CPT

New Entry Requirements 5 ‘O’ Level credits including EL** EL grade must be B4 or better. Those with C5 or C6 must obtain min 6.5 in IELTS.




Bursaries for teachers to undergo academic and professional upgrading

Raise teacher training standards Build up a pool of mentors to develop the

teaching expertise in the pre-school sector

Supporting Measures to Raise Teacher Qualifications




Parents can make use of the Baby Bonus Scheme and the monies in their Child

Development Account Enhancement of CFAC and KiFAS Additional funding for eligible kindergartens to ensure that fees remain

affordable

Fees and Funding




Implement in pre-schools from 2011 Encourage pre-schools to benchmark

education outcomes through self-appraisal and external assessment

Those who meet specified standards can be accredited

Quality Assurance and Accreditation for Pre-Schools




(Grade 1)

Accreditation

(Grades 2 – 4)Quality Rating

Self-appraisal

Registration(Regulation & Inspection)

apply for accreditation

apply for external assessment

submit report to MOE

Quality Assurance and Accreditation for Kindergartens




Curriculum resources Grants to non-profit pre-schools to

purchase teaching and learning resources e.g. books, software

Fund for pre-schools to innovate and experiment

Supporting Measures to Raise Quality of Pre-Schools




In Summary

New Initiatives Supporting MeasuresRaising the minimum qualifications of pre-school teachers

bursaries raised teacher training standards pool of teacher mentors additional funding support

Introducing a voluntary quality assurance and accreditation framework for pre-schools

curriculum resources teaching and learning grants innovation fund

improving the quality of pre-school education (pse)

Documents

o level credits

preschool sector

preschool teaching diploma

preschool teaching dpet

stock http

k1k2 existing teachers

years dpet

k1 k2 slide