1 They are Audio Visual Specialists, Administrative Clerks, Librarians, Curators, Laboratory Technicians, Childcare Teachers, Counsellors, Dayparents, Deans, Despatch Drivers, Facilities Executives, Kitchen Assistants, Lecturers, School Psychologists, Speech and Language Therapists, Theatre Coordinators and many more who are working hard behind the scenes in the private education services industry to help grow and groom our future generation.
2 The Education Services Union (ESU), a union for all working in the private education services industry, wants to thank some 30,000 employees for their dedication and selfless contribution towards grooming our students and making Singapore a global schoolhouse. This year, ESU, working jointly with key industry stakeholders, has initiated an appreciation movement every September to give greater recognition to these unsung heroes and heroines through various joint union-management initiatives.
3 Traditionally, teaching professionals in the public sector are widely recognised in the month of September, for example, on Teachers’ Day, for educating and shaping our future generation. However, such level of recognition is seldom, if at all, accorded to those teaching in the private education institutions and organisations. It is even more unlikely for the significant number of employees working in non-teaching functions in the private education services industry.
4 ESU recognises that these 30,000 teaching and non-teaching employees do have a significant impact on the lives of over 100,000 students of all ages and nationalities studying in more than 2,000 early childhood organisations, international schools, private education institutions and universities here today.
5 Thus, ESU is inviting private education institutions and organisations to take part in this appreciation movement every September to show their appreciation to their employees. As of today, 39 participating organisations and one association of private schools and colleges have pledged to support the appreciation movement to show that they value their employees’ commitment and contribution by joining in all or a combination of the following initiatives
a. Endorse and disseminate a “Thank You” message penned by Mr Zainudin Nordin, Executive Secretary, ESU and representing industry stakeholders, to private education services industry employees;
(Note: The message will also be communicated to 17,600 ESU members via email and posted on ESU’s website and Facebook page http://facebook.com/ESU.SG on 1 Sep 2011.)
b. Support “Thank You” road-shows held during lunchtime at the organisations’ premises;
(Note: The road-shows may comprise:
a. Giveaway of exclusive appreciation gift to ESU members by ESU;
b. One-hour health/wellness talk co-ordinated by ESU;
c. Lunch treat for employees from organisations’ management – enjoy special deals on buffet pricing with selected catering companies through ESU.)
c. Together with students, pen “Thank You” messages to employees and post them on ESU’s online dedication site – http://facebook.com/ESU.SG (From 1 Sep 2011)
d. Purchase Singapore Flyer tickets at 60% off the original price and treat employees to a flyer experience; and / or
e. Declare a day-off or grant one-day paid leave or time-off to employees as a meaningful way to say “I Care” for their physical and mental well-being.
6 Giving his full support to the annual appreciation movement, Mr Zainudin Nordin, Executive Secretary, Education Services Union, and an adult educator by vocation himself, said, “These unsung heroes and heroines are part of an essential team of working people who are behind the quality, world-class education services synonymous with the Singapore brand. Working in administration, curriculum development, edu-care, teaching and lecturing, laboratory services, student services, facilities, security and so on, they are the many faces of Singapore’s global schoolhouse. They truly deserve a pat on the back for their passion and dedication, and for putting in long and hard hours to help students in their academic pursuits, character building, personal development and in achieving their dreams. Without them, Singapore would not be able to realise its vision of becoming a globally-recognised, world-class education hub. Thus, we encourage more institutions and organisations to join us on this appreciation movement every September.”
7 In agreement, Mr Henry Heng, Chief Executive, Council for Private Education, said, “The staff of private education institutions play a vital role in shaping the experiences and educational outcomes that students will have during their studies. The Council for Private Education would like to join ESU in recognising their contributions to the sector during this inaugural appreciation month. We look forward to their continued contributions to the sector as it grows and matures.”
8 As part of the appreciation movement, ESU will also be organising a series of activities this September, including an Appreciation Day for Early Childhood Educators and an Appreciation Evening for Adult Educators on 19 Sep 2011.
Issued by:
Education Services Union
