PRE-SCHOOL teachers could soon start leading enrichment lessons in subjects such as drama and music as part of a plan to boost teacher salaries and increase the appeal of the profession.
The Association of Private Childcare Organisations (Apco), which represents about 200 of the 545 private Childcare centres here, is sending teachers for training in a variety of co-curricular areas now handled by private companies.
Armed with this training, teachers could see their salaries - generally between $1,400 and $1,800 a month - rise by up to 20 per cent, said Apco chairman Sam Yap.
The move is designed to stem the flow of teachers from the profession. An Education Services Union survey of 5,000 pre-school teachers last year showed that 34 per cent wanted to leave their jobs within 12 months. More than half (56 per cent) said their main complaint was low pay.
Demand for such teachers is expected to rise in the coming years; the Government has announced plans to build 200 more Childcare centres by 2013 as part of a drive to allow more mothers to return to work.
To meet the demand, Apco will also start recruiting teachers from Malaysia by the end of the year.
'I've heard of some centres taking up to six months to look for a new teacher,' said Dr Yap, who is the founder of Childcare chain Cherie Hearts. 'While many teachers are passionate about their jobs, there are some who choose to leave because the pay is too low.'
Teachers with diplomas in pre-school education are paid about $1,500 to $1,800 a month. Those with certificates command about $1,400 to $1,650.
Currently, external vendors conduct enrichment classes at most Childcare centres. The lessons are optional and parents must pay for them on top of school fees. With the training, those fees would now go to the teachers, said Dr Yap.
Our Juniors' Schoolhouse, with branches at Westlake Avenue and Jalan Pari Burong, is the first centre to send its teachers for training. Principal Sharon Yee of the Westlake Avenue branch said ultimately, pupils will benefit. 'Unlike external vendors, we do not need extra time to build rapport with the children. We also know the children's strengths and weaknesses, so we can tailor the classes to their needs.'
Parents welcomed the move to have enrichment classes during school hours.
'If enrichment lessons are not done during school hours, I will have to send my daughter for them during the weekends,' said television producer Siow Pit Chee. Her three-year-old daughter attends Our Juniors' Schoolhouse.
'She has more time with the family now and it makes things less hectic for my husband and I,' Ms Siow said.
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