by Channel News Asia
Pre—school teaching staff of kindergartens run by the PAP Community Foundation (PCF) can look forward to higher pay.
It is part of efforts to raise teaching standards.
Staff can expect an increase of up to 22 per cent in pay.
This applies to those who do not have the proper qualification but have undergone training to meet the grade.
About 1,500 out of PCF’s 2,000—strong staff will be affected.
Singapore’s largest pre—school operator hopes that by 2013, 95 per cent of teachers would have at least a professional diploma; while at least one out of four would have university degrees.
PCF will fork out some S$930,000 a year to sponsor scholarships and upgrading courses.
“The (pay) increases will be met by the sponsorships and grants. And the fees will be according to how far we can withhold or contain the fee increases. So fees (hike) generally will be the last resort,” said Minister for Prime Minister’s Office, Lim Hwee Hua. She is also the PCF Treasurer. — CNA /ls
–This is great news. Preschool education lays an important foundation to how well a children can cope when they enter primary school. Higher standards would mean better qualified form teachers for our kids. It is also nice that qualified candidates would get a pay increase, they will be more motivated to improved themselves and be better educators for the young ones.
