Career as Teacher

And also, does university results affect job prospect in any way - apart from the slight difference in starting salary.

I was the guy who answered you previously. My short answer to your question - it depends on the school which you are posted, and the Principal. There are different tiers of scholarships - PSC (Teaching), Education Merit Service (EMS), Teaching Scholarship (Overseas & Local) and lastly Teaching Award. For PSC and EMS scholars, their career paths are centrally planned. So after 2 years in a school, they will be posted to HQ. Their progression is naturally faster because they are groomed to be future Principals.

For the remaining scholars, their career paths are not planned. So it really depends on the Principal. For example, I know a few local scholars who had Distinction in Practicum and also received awards while in NIE, they were given more prominent tasks when they were Beginning Teachers. One is already a SH just after 3 years, which is really fast. In their cases, it is because the Principal chose to groom them. But for most local scholars and awardees, unless you perform brilliantly, you will be like the average teacher. I was posted to a school where my peers were EMS/overseas scholars. They were placed in prominent positions e.g greater contact with School Leaders. I was lucky that my HOD allocated me a major task, so I didn't really lose out in terms of ranking. However, to be honest I'm glad I've more free time to focus on teaching instead of event planning etc. At the same time, I often wonder if I should expore alternatives when I'm young (thats why I'm in this forum). Many young teachers think like that hahah.

Oh one impt reason for why teachers study - they are tired of teaching/students/colleagues. It's a good mental break. Teaching is actually a very exhaustive job...

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Thanks for the insightful reply!
Could I also ask you, as a teaching scholar, is the prospect any better than normal teachers. I have heard teachers/people saying that scholars will be given better opportunities to facilitate their faster progression, yet I have seen scholars who leave MOE when their bond ends - kinda contradictory. If there are better prospect, why leave?

Lastly, why do in-service teachers take leave from working to further their studies. Is it purely to gain more knowledge, or are there other benefits as I do seem to see many teachers doing that while teaching.

Thanks in advance for the advice!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

I was the guy who answered you previously. My short answer to your question - it depends on the school which you are posted, and the Principal. There are different tiers of scholarships - PSC (Teaching), Education Merit Service (EMS), Teaching Scholarship (Overseas & Local) and lastly Teaching Award. For PSC and EMS scholars, their career paths are centrally planned. So after 2 years in a school, they will be posted to HQ. Their progression is naturally faster because they are groomed to be future Principals.

For the remaining scholars, their career paths are not planned. So it really depends on the Principal. For example, I know a few local scholars who had Distinction in Practicum and also received awards while in NIE, they were given more prominent tasks when they were Beginning Teachers. One is already a SH just after 3 years, which is really fast. In their cases, it is because the Principal chose to groom them. But for most local scholars and awardees, unless you perform brilliantly, you will be like the average teacher. I was posted to a school where my peers were EMS/overseas scholars. They were placed in prominent positions e.g greater contact with School Leaders. I was lucky that my HOD allocated me a major task, so I didn't really lose out in terms of ranking. However, to be honest I'm glad I've more free time to focus on teaching instead of event planning etc. At the same time, I often wonder if I should expore alternatives when I'm young (thats why I'm in this forum). Many young teachers think like that hahah.

Oh one impt reason for why teachers study - they are tired of teaching/students/colleagues. It's a good mental break. Teaching is actually a very exhaustive job...

That's very enlightening! Haha. Thanks so much for the insight once again!!

Hi all,
Would like to enquire about MOE's starting salary for a fresh grad who's yet to do contract teaching or do PGDE.

Am a female graduate from a local uni with 2nd upp. hons, however was offered the lower limit of those under the PGDE programme as stated on the MOE website. Is this typical of a graduate with hons, or is the lower limit only offered to graduates with a pass degree? Could it be because I haven't received my official transcript/scroll?

Should I reach out to HR about this?

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi all,
Would like to enquire about MOE's starting salary for a fresh grad who's yet to do contract teaching or do PGDE.

Am a female graduate from a local uni with 2nd upp. hons, however was offered the lower limit of those under the PGDE programme as stated on the MOE website. Is this typical of a graduate with hons, or is the lower limit only offered to graduates with a pass degree? Could it be because I haven't received my official transcript/scroll?

Should I reach out to HR about this?

Any input would be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

From my understanding. My friend in NIE was paid 3.3k (female second lower). MOE pays $200 more for each levels of honours. Guys are paid $200 more ontop of that for NS. So you should be paid around $3500 during PGDE. How much are you offered?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

From my understanding. My friend in NIE was paid 3.3k (female second lower). MOE pays $200 more for each levels of honours. Guys are paid $200 more ontop of that for NS. So you should be paid around $3500 during PGDE. How much are you offered?

Just to add on, if you are offered contract teaching, and not doing the PGDE program, pay should be 2k+ - 3k

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Just to add on, if you are offered contract teaching, and not doing the PGDE program, pay should be 2k+ - 3k

Hi, thanks for your response!

I'm offered to do contract teaching before NIE, so the pay that they are offering me now is actually for contract teaching? Will an increase be reflected when I'm admitted to NIE?
I'm offered the lowest amount listed on the MOE site for PGDE.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, thanks for your response!

I'm offered to do contract teaching before NIE, so the pay that they are offering me now is actually for contract teaching? Will an increase be reflected when I'm admitted to NIE?
I'm offered the lowest amount listed on the MOE site for PGDE.

It's correct because you are not on the pgde yet. You are still at the pre-pgde stage so will be lower.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

And also, does university results affect job prospect in any way - apart from the slight difference in starting salary.

Not too much, it's mostly based on work performance, leadership qualities and willingness to take on appointments. Seen plenty of HODs without Honours degrees, and many fch who are happy ordinary Teachers.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Just to add on, if you are offered contract teaching, and not doing the PGDE program, pay should be 2k+ - 3k

not true. contract teaching will get just as much as those doing PGDE as they are both on the GEO1.2(untrained) scale.