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SINGAPORE – Preschool teachers can look forward to better and clearer career paths, with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA) conducting a review of how their professional development is structured.
In the context of the coronavirus, there will also be a greater emphasis on the social and emotional well-being of educators and students, the agency said on Saturday (October 10).
Although more outdoor learning is being worked on for students, an occupational health and safety assessment is being conducted to improve the well-being of teachers in their workplace.
More details of the various initiatives will be released next year.
Speaking about the initiatives at the first Virtual Early Childhood Conference on Saturday, the Minister for Social and Family Development, Masagos Zulkifli, said: “The priority is to help all teachers deepen their experience and develop satisfying careers in the sector.
“This will ultimately benefit both the teachers and the children.”
Mr. Masagos, who began leading the Ministry of Social and Family Development in August, added: “Our goal has not changed. We want every child to have a good start in life.”
ECDA said that a key factor in children’s socio-emotional development is outdoor learning and with the support of the Temasek Foundation, the agency is launching more courses so that teachers can be better equipped to facilitate this.
A fund will be established early next year to help more centers introduce outdoor learning programs, building on the agency’s efforts that began last year, which included creating more outdoor learning spaces in schools. Housing Board properties and parks.
Lower-income families will also receive more support in areas such as nutrition through the expansion of KidStart, a government pilot program started in 2016 to help children up to six years of age who belong to those families.
While it has helped about 1,000 children to date, the plan is for the plan to help another 5,000 children over the next three years, starting next year with those living in Yishun, Sembawang and Ang Mo Kio, Masagos said.
The coronavirus has increased stress levels for teachers and forced preschools to come up with creative ways to ensure that students adhere to safe distancing and keep their masks on from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Ms. Jamie Ang, ECDA Executive Director, told preschool teachers at Saturday’s event: “The work you do is vital but not easy. Take care of yourself first so that you can continue in this call to help others.” .
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