Prior to the release of the Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Masterplan for the early childhood education sector, the Education Services Union (ESU) has had a series of conversations with the educators, lecturers, operators together with the Early Childhood Development Agency (ECDA). We note that many suggestions made by the early childhood teachers themselves were reflected in this masterplan.
ESU is heartened that the ECDA has responded emphatically to earlier urging by the union to do more to support our pre-school educators increase their professionalism and improve their pay.
The union also applauds the ECDA for exploring different support measures, such as establishing a pool of trained relief teachers and allowing flexible staffing requirements for centres during days that are designated for CPD. These measures will enable early childhood professionals to balance their responsibilities in the centres and pursue their CPD training. It will encourage more educators to fulfill their desire to upgrade and deepen their competencies.
We urge centre operators to respond decisively and push through the initiatives to boost the knowledge and skills of their teachers. The structured system of incentives and recognition, together with a professional development roadmap laid out, will help to attract and retain early childhood professionals, and raise the quality of early childhood programmes.
ESU will continue to work closely with the ECDA to improve the image and salary structure of early childhood educators, as well as to provide them a well-defined progression plan. The details will indeed be in the execution. This masterplan has put us all on the right footing to move ahead together.
Ang Hin Kee
Executive Secretary
Education Services Union (ESU)
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