Early childhood teachers to have more financial support to pursue studies

SINGAPORE – Early childhood (EC) educators will receive more support to pursue their studies following enhancements to the Early Childhood Development Agency’s (ECDA) scholarship programme.

These include increased financial support, a new full-time scholarship for students pursuing EC undergraduate studies at the Singapore University of Social Sciences (SUSS), and expanded postgraduate opportunities.

Mr Eric Chua, who is Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Social and Family Development, said the enhanced scholarships are aimed at strengthening the talent pipeline in the sector.

The existing ECDA scholarship will be renamed the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Scholarship to reflect its role as a sectorwide award for EC educators.

Under this scholarship, EC educators pursuing a part-time degree or postgraduate studies from July 2027 will receive a larger study bonus of $8,000 – up from the current $2,000 – upon completion of their studies.

A new full-time scholarship will also be introduced for students taking EC undergraduate studies at SUSS, replacing the existing training award for university students, which will conclude with its final intake in 2026.

This scholarship includes full course fee sponsorship, a monthly allowance of $2,000 and a one-time learning resource allowance of the same amount.

Opportunities for in-service Chinese educators to deepen their expertise were also broadened in August, with the ECE scholarship supporting a new part-time Master of Education in Early Childhood Education (Chinese) programme at SUSS.

Announcing these initiatives at the ECDA Scholarships and Training Awards Presentation Ceremony on Oct 30 at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre, Mr Chua said the sector has made good progress in building a strong pipeline of EC educators.

“With these enhancements, we hope that an ECE scholarship will attract and nurture more passionate individuals… who are committed to making a lasting impact in the early childhood sector,” he said.

Reflecting on a

review panel’s report on the death of four-year-old Megan Khung

, who was abused by her mother and the woman’s boyfriend, Mr Chua said more will be done to further strengthen systems to tackle child abuse, which involves working closely with pre-schools and educators.

“In cases of child abuse, educators are often the first line of safety and support for this vulnerable group,” he said, adding that it is crucial for educators to have the knowledge and skills to better detect abuse and report them promptly, so that the relevant agencies can intervene.

Said Mr Chua: “You are part of a larger ecosystem, and, together, we share the responsibility to ensure the safety and well-being of our children.”

Among the eight scholarship recipients in 2025 is Miss Dharshini Balachandram, 30, principal of Little Footprints Preschool @ Depot, who is pursuing a part-time master’s degree in early childhood education at SUSS.

Miss Dharshini Balachandram is currently pursuing a master’s degree in the hope of becoming an early childhood lecturer in the future.

ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN

She began her EC studies at the Institute of Technical Education, and took up the ECDA training award during her studies at Ngee Ann Polytechnic from 2014 to 2017.

“The training award wasn’t just financial help. It gave me the chance to focus on what I loved without worrying about how I was going to afford my studies,” she said.

The award fully sponsors students pursuing full-time professional EC education courses, and provides them with other grants and allowances.

Set to graduate at the end of 2026, Miss Balachandram, who received the ECDA Scholarship on Oct 30, said it has been a challenge studying part-time while working full time in a leadership capacity at a pre-school. Nonetheless, the journey so far has been fulfilling.

“It has helped me see things from a wider perspective – from classroom practice to leadership and policy,” she said.

She decided to pursue her master’s to equip herself to return to a teaching role, though in a different way.

“It is preparing me for my long-term goal, to become an EC lecturer one day and continue giving back to the sector by guiding future educators.”

When Mr Samuel Liu, 20, began his EC studies in 2022 at the National Institute of Early Childhood Development at Temasek Polytechnic, he noticed that each class of 25 students had just one or two men.

While participating in a bonding event in the first year of his studies, organised by his EC course’s interest group, he met other like-minded male EC students.

Inspired by the camaraderie, he formed a new support group for male students, where they could learn from the experiences of their seniors and support one another during their studies.

Mr Samuel Liu was given the TA Commendation Award on Oct 30, in part to recognise his efforts to support male students, who are a minority in early childhood education.

ST PHOTO: HESTER TAN

“Because there are so few of us, one might not feel so confident in being a male pre-school educator. So having a support group like this helps build our confidence, as you feel like you’re not alone,” he said.

Mr Liu said he is keen to join the sector after he completes his national service in 2027.

He was presented the TA Commendation Award, a $1,000 prize given to outstanding final-year students who are recipients of the training award.

A total of 14 students received this commendation award at the event on Oct 30, while 252 students received the training award.

Mr Liu acknowledged that male teachers would not be made to perform certain duties like changing children’s diapers or toileting, but hopes that they can prove themselves in other ways as EC educators.

“One way to encourage more males to join this profession is to let them know that they have equal opportunities, and that they will always be shown support in their learning and professional development,” he said.

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