6 things you need to know about MOE’s Work Plan Seminar 2014

Teachers are at the heart of education. They are the people who make an impact on our children. With that in mind, Education Minister Heng Swee Keat spoke on “Growing Our Teachers, Building our Nation” at the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) Work Plan Seminar 2014. Here are six highlights you might want to know:

1. A new online resource for teachers and students

   Teachers and students can look forward to an enriched teaching and learning experience with the quality resources from MOE, teachers and other sources consolidated on a Student Learning Space Student Learning Space 
   (SLS). The SLS will be implemented in all primary and secondary schools, junior colleges and centralised institute progressively, starting from 2016.

2. Primary School teachers will specialise in two subjects, instead of three

   Specialisation will help teachers develop mastery over content and teaching practices. Social studies will now also be one of the subjects for specialisation, as it is a part of Character and Citizenship Education for our students.

3. New courses at National Institute of Education (NIE)

   To develop their capabilities, teachers can take up new courses at the NIE, such as the Advanced Diploma in Teaching Early Primary School Years. There is also the Advanced Diploma in Special Education for Allied Educators (Learning and Behavioural Support) and educators in special education schools.

4. More mentorship for teachers

   MOE will introduce a course to develop the skills of teacher-mentors, so that these experienced teachers can better guide and advise fellow teachers.

5. Support for learning communities

   Senior educators and specialists from MOE and NIE will explore new and better ways of teaching, and bring teachers teaching in the same domains together, to share and learn from one another.

6. Placement of non-graduate teachers on graduate pay scale
   To recognise teachers for their commitment to honing their craft, outstanding non-graduate teachers will be placed on the graduate pay scale.

By deepening our teachers’ skills and expertise, our students can look forward to more impactful learning experiences and better education outcomes.

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What are your thoughts on these efforts to support teachers’ professional development? Share them with us in the comment box below!