There is high confidence that the Ministry of Education (MOE) will emerge from the global financial crisis intact, said Education Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen earlier this morning.

Speaking at the 11th appointment ceremony for principals, he said: "Over the years, we (MOE) have been fiscally prudent, always spending within our means.

"We have made investments wisely in areas that have enhanced our global competitiveness - such as improving our infrastructure and growing our human capital through education and upgrading."

Prudent spending

Citing the example of Fuchun Secondary School - students had made their own fertiliser instead of purchasing commercial ones - Dr Ng urged all schools to trim unnecessary costs.

"I encourage all heads of institutions and departments within MOE to act prudently, to carefully spend to stretch the educational dollars provided," he said.

"We want to send the correct message to students, that there are responsible acts that each can personally take in response to this crisis."

MOE to fill over 3,500 jobs

Dr Ng explained the strategic reason behind MOE's recruitment drive.

"In this downturn, we will step up recruitment, significantly beyond the current annual recruitment target of 2,200 teachers.

"This is an opportune time for MOE to hire.

"For example, at our latest recruitment drive, held three weeks ago at Raffles Place, we received strong interest from about 1,200 applicants over 4 days. Many were mid-career professionals who can bring different perspectives and experiences to add to our teaching force.

"In the coming year, we will therefore step up efforts to recruit additional teachers from amongst fresh graduates and mid-career professionals.

"We will also bring forward recruitment targets for teaching support staff in the Allied Educators Scheme.

"We had earlier planned to increase the pool of Allied Educators by four-folds from the current 600 to 2,800 by the end of 2015.

"In view of market opportunities, we will now plan to recruit ahead of schedule," he said, adding that MOE and schools will recruit to fill more than 3,500 jobs in 2009.

"All in all, an estimated 7,500 teaching and teaching-support jobs will be available next year."

Dr Ng also assured that mid-career professionals entering the kindergarten teaching sector for the first time can look forward to accelerated training programmes that will help them attain the necessary qualifications faster.

He further pointed out that the career options available in schools and MOE HQ for mid-career entrants included Vice-Principal (Administration) and education policy analysts.

More help for needy students

"MOE will thus enhance its financial assistance schemes to provide more help to needy students during the current economic downturn.

"Some students who had previously worked part-time to support themselves may find less job opportunities available.

"In addition, their parents may themselves be in between jobs.

"We will therefore increase the amount of financial assistance and also exercise greater flexibility in giving help to students who may fall into temporary financial difficulties.

"This will include students from families whose parents are working professionals.

"We will extend grants to schools and Institutes of Higher Learning to provide ad-hoc assistance to deserving cases that do not meet the eligibility criteria under normal circumstances."