Graduate, non-graduate teachers to be paid along same structure from Oct

SINGAPORE - From October, graduate and non-graduate classroom teachers will progress be paid along the same salary structure, the Ministry of Education (MOE) said in a statement today.

Currently, only experienced non-graduate classroom teachers in leadership or senior positions are remunerated on the same structure as those with graduate qualifications.

Graduates and non-graduates will continue to be recruited at different starting points with different salaries, in accordance with market practice.

The MOE also announced adjustments to the salaries of those in General Education Officer and Senior Education Officer grades. They will receive a monthly salary increase of four to nine per cent with effect from October. About 30,000 are eligible for this round of adjustments, which are to "ensure that their overall salary packages keep pace with the market".

"This is to signal the importance we place on teaching as a profession, and show our commitment in attracting and retaining quality teachers," the MOE said.

As a form of recognition, all trained teachers will get a special annual payment of between $500 and $700 in cash each September from next year. This replaces the current Learning and Development Scheme, under which teachers can claim up to $400 or $700 a year for learning-related expenses of their choice.

For allied educators, a similar merging of graduate and non-graduate salary structures will be implemented from a targeted date of April next year. From October, they will see a monthly salary increase of five per cent. Up to 800 are eligible for this round of adjustments.

huizhen@sph.com.sg