SINGAPORE – The work processes of pre-school teachers are being relooked by the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA).
The sector-wide job redesign, announced during the debate on the Ministry of Social and Family Development’s (MSF) budget in March, started earlier in April.
Minister of State for Social and Family Development Goh Pei Ming gave this update at the Early Childhood Learning Communities (ECLC) appointment ceremony on April 22 at the National Gallery Singapore.
“These efforts are about supporting educators – yourselves – in your daily work, and ensuring you can continue to grow and thrive under the right conditions within the profession,” said Mr Goh, adding that the Government welcomes feedback from the sector.
Ms Annabel Ho, a senior Chinese language teacher at My First Skool at Block 375 Clementi Avenue 4, told The Straits Times that she hopes more technology can be used to ease teachers’ workloads.
Ms Ho said artificial intelligence can generate fresh ideas for lessons, while daily health checks on children – which typically take much time – could be automated.
“This would lighten everyday tasks, allowing teachers to focus on thoughtful interaction,” said Ms Ho, who has worked about five years at the centre.
Dr Cynthia Lim, who heads the early childhood education programme at the Singapore University of Social Sciences, hopes teachers will be given “time out” in their work schedule. Dr Lim, who taught at private and public pre-schools for over a decade, said teachers can use this time to recalibrate or prepare lesson materials.
