I'm very early 40s. Quite old already. There are many younger VPs who has cleared the interview. My HQ stint is probably coming to an end and there's no news for VP interview, can I assume no hope to posted back as VP?

Very anecdotal, but I do know of a SAD who was posted back to school as a VP. But I assume he cleared VP interview along the way, so if you've not heard about that... might not be so soon?

I'm quite sure you're not that old. Rather than skills and education, it is more of the passion that keeps people going in many industries, not just teaching.

A general statistic I can say is that, for most of the teachers who left the service, close to none regretted the decision (no matter which other industry they ended up in).

Stay positive and look ahead ok! When there's a will, there's a way :)

After clearing the VP interview, one still has to be in the queue. So it would take quite a while cos the number of vacancies for new VPs is quite low with the merging of schools.

May I check if you are a scholar?

Increment
 

Hi,

I would like to check if during my contract teaching stint as well as NIE training, will there be any pay increment?

I have a school mate who is in her mid 30s and is already a VP.

Not surprising for PSC scholars to promote that fast. In Ministries they would have been DD level.

You acknowledged that there are different tiers of scholarships. Which is very true. Similar to how SAF classified different tiers of scholarships to their own CEP. Eg. SAFOS is the top tier. Go there and make no mistakes throughout your career, you would be leading a ministry at least.

LMS is nothing-anyone with a local uni placement can get this money. People here are the lowest batch of scholars and their CEP usually ends up with just a senior lt colonel thats all. Full colonel if they are ok.

No scholarship means you are a farmer. Usually you will progress really slowly and end rank is Major or Lt Colonel.

The problem is vacancy.. there are not many positions available at COL estab because of the relatively small size of our armed forces. So a lot of decent chaps holding SMS or above scholarships also wait very long at SLTC.

Similarly we have a lot of scholar HODs who are high performing in their managerial roles but wait very long for a VP(EO) opening to become vacant.

Anyone can share what fresh grads are getting these days? I heard it's around 3.7-3.8k for FCH with NS?

Any teachers or ex-teachers moved to/from MX scheme? Am thinking of quitting teaching to join other ministries, and wondering which scheme pays better. Thanks!

I have an NIE batch mate who jumped to MOM the moment bond finished. They will try to match current salary point...But I think there was a slight pay cut. More importantly, my friend was a lot happier due to the better work life balance and fewer political issues.

I am the batch mate who jumped to MOM. EOs are paid slightly better than MXs, which is why its a different scheme altogether. Stat boards though, have their own salary structure and you might be paid more/less/equal. That said, pay is not everything. The intangible benefits I had (such having a regular bowel movement) more than made up for the cut. Health is wealth. All the best!

GEO5 pay lower than the equivalent MX11A though

That is because the equivalent grade for MX11A is not GEO 5 but SEO 1

Hi, am interested to pursue a career with MOE as a teacher.

Curious on the starting salary and general pay progression from trainee all the way up to 8-10 years of exp. Any insights would be valuable thank you.

Is that so? That’s interesting because GEO4 is equivalent to MX11. So there’s is an additional rung for EOs..

Hi! If I take NPL for two months to care for my mother, will my annual merit increment be pro-rated? I understand that my connect plan and performance grade will be affected as well. TY!

Given that it is not a generic scheme (unlike MXS) and thus enjoy a premium (reflected in the salary ranges), you can then have more subgrades to create sense of progression for retention.

This is untrue. My ROs have openly told me that scholars have a higher CEP. But of course, you do not need to be a scholar to have a high CEP, as long as management really likes you your CEP will be bumped up.

For local grads in MX scheme who are not taking on leadership positions, they still retire as Mx11a as their last promotion though.

this is after how many years of service?

Secondment to MOE kindergarten
 

Hi all,

Would like to ask if anyone is seeking a secondment to MOE kindergarten or have friends who have done so during previous OPE, any views on that? if there are any MK educators willing to shed some light on what work is like as a kindergarten teacher, would like to hear from you too. TIA! :)

This is correct, scholars almost always start off with at least a slightly higher CEP.

However, CEP is very fluid in a teacher's first five or so years of service, which are (arguably) the most crucial years for determining your career trajectory, whether you are a scholar or not. If you underperform during the first few years it is possible to squander any advantage you had as a scholar; conversely during this time non-scholars may set themselves up for a fast and exciting career if they are high performing and/or happen to be in the good books of their RO and SLs.

Maybe i can shed some light. Been teaching since 2012, FCH from NIE degree programme.

First posting to an independent school

2012: 4.1k (GEO 2 - the old scheme was 1.1, or 2.1)
2013: 4.6k (GEO 3 - old GEO 1A1 scheme)
2014: 4.8k (GEO 4 - old GEO 1A2)

Changed schools.

2015 - 2017: went to 6.1k iirc

Changed schools again

2018: 6.3k
2019: 6.5k (became SH)
2021: 7.1k (GEO 5)


Key things I've learnt

1. Your relationship with all HODs and SLs are crucial. While you can do good dept work and your HOD can attest to it, join committees chaired by other HODs. More voices to help fight for you and corroborate your contributions (of course dont screw up).

2. The only way to get promoted fast is to be doing work at a higher GEO level. Notice I did not just say "do more work", but do work that is at a higher GEO level. Look at the EPMS form of an SEO (or at least GEO 5), and notice how the impact needs to be more level wide. So,do more impactful work that goes beyond the classroom.

3. Scholars (LMS, Overseas) do get a better head start (in terms of opportunities and perception). But if you screw up, you hentak kaki. I have also seen non-scholars rise. You have to create your own opportunities and take them. I have seen HODs demoted to being a normal teacher, departments complaining to Supt about HODs. Being a HOD does not automatically make you a leader (let alone a good one). Have the right values and lead with a heart.

4. If you choose to just be a Happy, Ordinary Teacher, that is fine. Just be happy and go with the flow. Maxing out at GEO 5 with a 7.8k salary is not bad compared to private sector. Every career has its pros and cons.

5. To BTs, don't just mix with other BTs / young teachers. Your older colleagues have the wisdom of experience to share with you.

Sorry to ride on, but what is a cohort promotion?

Are lead teachers and senior teachers considered leadership positions?

There are 3 tracks; Leadership, Specialist and Teaching. So ST and LT, at least semantically speaking, are not in Leadership track.

They are however expected to lead in mentoring, pedagogy, etc. They are also called Teacher Leaders.

So depends on how you look at it, STs, LTs and MTs can be considered leaders, or not.
It also depends on the school. Some treat them as leaders, some don't, and some treat them as those who couldn't make it on Leadership track. It really depends.

It is the first (and only) automatic promotion given to cohorts of new entrants after they have been confirmed into service. For NSmen, this will occur on the promotion cycle immediately after their confirmation date. For ladies, and non-NSmen, this will occur on the second promotion cycle after their confirmation date. Promotion cycles are in April and October of each year.

Subsequent promotions after the cohort promotion no longer follow a fixed time-in-grade structure.

even for NSmen, it may not be immediately. I know of a few good performers (men) from practicum and first year C+ graders who did not get promoted immediately. It's ultimately up to HR. could be based on a few criteria including basic/honours degree, etc.

Have seen VPs demoted to HODs/STs also.

Which GEO is equivalent to MX13(I) and MX14?

Wait long long la. The supplementary payment is for your OSOs, TSOs, lower subgrade admin staff.

GEO2 Fresh grad = MX13

i am 1 of them! i wonder how come this year a few guys never get cohort promotion in oct after getting confirmation in apr. hope i get mine next year apr. was a c+ performer in first year. practicum jan-mar 2020. then got confirmation in apr 2021. no promotion. anyone else?

Will it be weird/awkward for HODs to step down from their posts to remain as a normal teacher in the same school?

Usually these people will not remain in the same school. They will usually apply for open/closed posting.

Do you have honours? I noticed that if guys did not graduate with honours, they will promote one year later than their cohort. Also, those ppl who graduate from NIE (4 years with honours) also usually promote 1 year later than those who went (NTU/NUS 4 years + 1 year NIE).

hmm you might be right.. i don't have honours. just basic degree... didn't know cohort promotion is affected by honours. always thought it just affected the starting salary.

guess i will have to wait for next april :/

From the years that I've been in my school, the majority of the guys (if not all) who graduate from NIE (in-service since June) usually get promoted in Oct the next year.