Plans to enhance salaries and training aim to address growing demand in the sector.
SINGAPORE – Teachers in special education (Sped) schools can look forward to increased salaries and expanded professional development opportunities as part of the Ministry of Education’s (MOE) initiative to attract and retain talent in this critical sector. Second Minister for Education Maliki Osman made the announcement on Friday at the Special Education Learning Festival 2023, held at Republic Polytechnic.
Salary Adjustments to Attract Educators
MOE will provide additional funding to Sped schools, enabling salary increases for teachers and teacher aides starting in 2024. Revised salary guidelines will ensure fair and competitive compensation. Currently, entry-level salaries range from $2,620 to $3,120 per month, depending on qualifications and experience.
Mr. Caleb Lai, a speech and language therapist at St. Andrew’s Autism School, welcomed the pay increase, emphasizing its potential to improve both the quality and quantity of educators in the field.
Addressing Growing Demand
With 1,760 Sped teachers currently employed, the sector will require 350 additional educators by 2030 to meet the needs of a growing number of Sped schools. Dr. Maliki acknowledged the challenges in recruiting competent teachers, particularly given the demand for such expertise across various educational settings, including early intervention centers and mainstream schools.
New Curriculums for Holistic Development
To support students in acquiring essential life skills, MOE has been developing specialized syllabuses for Sped schools. By 2025, seven new learning areas will be integrated into the Sped curriculum. Recently, the ministry unveiled syllabuses for communication and language, and social-emotional learning.
The communication syllabus incorporates digital tools that empower non-verbal students to express themselves. Mr. Lai highlighted how such tools can reduce frustration and enhance students’ quality of life. Meanwhile, the social-emotional learning syllabus focuses on equipping students with skills such as self-awareness, self-management, and decision-making to help them transition to life beyond school.
Ms. Madanarathi Madan Gopal, head of the life skills department at AWWA School, emphasized the importance of this syllabus in nurturing resilience and adaptability among students.
Recognizing Contributions
At the festival, six educators and three schools received the MOE-SG Enable Awards for their outstanding contributions to special education. Among the awardees was Ms. Nur Rasyidah Andi Satria from Chaoyang School, who developed a system ensuring all students could participate in co-curricular activities.
As Dr. Maliki affirmed, these initiatives underscore the government’s commitment to supporting Sped educators and ensuring that students with special needs receive quality education and care.
