Career as Teacher

Originally Posted by Unregistered

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.

looking at the salary range,
GEO4 SH teacher is getting 6.5k - 7k am I right or am I missing something

Hi, I have been offered a position in HQ via OPE. However, my school would like to offer an internal KP appointment should I choose to stay. Which would be a better choice?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Hi, I have been offered a position in HQ via OPE. However, my school would like to offer an internal KP appointment should I choose to stay. Which would be a better choice?

If you are GEO4 and above, I will say go HQ. Internal appointment has a lot of work but no monetary compensation. In HQ, you will learn a lot more and get you ready before you return to schools. And if you perform okay in HQ, you will get to apply for enhanced posting where you can be a confirmed KP. There are a lot of work for a KP and it’s never worth while doing something without a recognition. Also, it’s never confirmed that your SLs will send you for KP interview. I know of people who stayed as internal KP for 2-3 years.

Hi am offered HQ but currently my released date not confirm. Is it Possible that my P refused to let me go and I have to give up HQ offer?

Originally Posted by Unregistered

If you are GEO4 and above, I will say go HQ. Internal appointment has a lot of work but no monetary compensation. In HQ, you will learn a lot more and get you ready before you return to schools. And if you perform okay in HQ, you will get to apply for enhanced posting where you can be a confirmed KP. There are a lot of work for a KP and it’s never worth while doing something without a recognition. Also, it’s never confirmed that your SLs will send you for KP interview. I know of people who stayed as internal KP for 2-3 years.

Am in the same boat as the OP. My P is giving me internal appt for half of next yr and sending me for KP interview thereafter. My P actually spend 45 mins to talk to me immediately aft my RO informed tt I was applying for HQ. In the end, I withdrew from HQ OPE. Anyway, I hope tt I made the right decision.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Am in the same boat as the OP. My P is giving me internal appt for half of next yr and sending me for KP interview thereafter. My P actually spend 45 mins to talk to me immediately aft my RO informed tt I was applying for HQ. In the end, I withdrew from HQ OPE. Anyway, I hope tt I made the right decision.

At least your P made promise that you will be sent for KP interview by the end of this year, not just telling you what you will be given internal appointment till don't know when.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Am in the same boat as the OP. My P is giving me internal appt for half of next yr and sending me for KP interview thereafter. My P actually spend 45 mins to talk to me immediately aft my RO informed tt I was applying for HQ. In the end, I withdrew from HQ OPE. Anyway, I hope tt I made the right decision.

If teaching is your first career, I’ll always advise officers to go HQ first (if opportunity allows). Don’t always be stuck in school. The things you learn in HQ and the people (senior management) you meet will pave a much better road for you in future.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

At least your P made promise that you will be sent for KP interview by the end of this year, not just telling you what you will be given internal appointment till don't know when.

But you still have to work half a year without any official SH/LH/HOD offloading. On top of that, you still have your existing portfolio (+ the internal appointment). If you complain too much work, they will say that you are not ready. I’ve seen people in this predicament before.

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Kinda frustrated and wondering if any of you have any advice... Here is my career history:

Male, FCH, PGDE
2013 June - graduated NIE PGDE, GEO2, PB C+
2014 October - Promoted GEO3, PB C+
2015 - GEO3, PB B
2016 - changed school, GEO3, PB B
2017 April - Promoted GEO4, PB B (in year of promotion)
2018 - GEO4, PB B
2019 - Compulsory HQ posting, GEO4, PB B
2020 - GEO4, PB B
2021 - Still GEO4

Kinda frustrated coz my PB has been a B for 6 yrs in a row (2015 to 2020) but I'm still nt promoted to GEO5. I dunno what else I can do to show my worth... Any advice from more senior colleagues? Thx a lot!

looking at this GEO4 as SH salary range is about 6.5-7k already right

Originally Posted by Unregistered

looking at this GEO4 as SH salary range is about 6.5-7k already right

Should be around there.

Anyway there are a few obvious explanations for this (before we delve into the less common reasons)..

1. officer is performing above average at his current level but his CEP is not very high, so rate of promotion is still relatively slow. Remember it is not performance grade but CEP which actually determines how often HR flags an officer for promotion. It is usually correlated because CEP will usually be raised for consistent high performers, but it is not a given, i.e. it is possible to give many Bs in a row but not touch an officer's CEP at all.

2. centrally imposed (i.e. by HR) decrease in number of promotions in the high GEO grades because of top-heaviness across the service. This is not officially confirmed in any way by HR, but it is easy to notice if you've been around for most of last decade. Many GEO3s right now are way past overdue (by older standards) for promotion to GEO4 but will be kept waiting for some more time.