Teacher Training Schemes for ‘O’ Level Holders
Applications for Year 2008 are closed. Year 2009 applications will open upon the release of the 2009 GCE ‘O’ Level results.
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Art and Music Teacher Training Scheme (NAFA)
The Art & Music Teacher Training Scheme is designed for GCE ‘O’ Level holders who wish to become Art or Music teachers in our secondary schools.
This is a 4-year diploma course and students will study for the first 3 years at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts (NAFA) and the final year at the National Institute of Education (NIE).
Students will graduate with a Diploma in Art (Teaching) or a Diploma in Music (Teaching) from NAFA and a Diploma in Art Education or Diploma in Music Education from NIE. Graduates from this scheme will be deployed to teach Art or Music in Secondary schools.
Admission Criteria
- At least 5 GCE ‘O’ Level passes including English as a First Language.
- Music admission: Good grades (e.g. at least Grade 6 Practical and Grade 5 Theory) from acceptable music examination boards or a pass in GCE ‘O’ Level Music. Applicants who are involved in musical groups and play a musical instrument are welcomed to apply. Applicants who are selected after MOE’s interview must also pass NAFA’s music audition.
- Art admission: Good grades in Art at the GCE ‘O’ Levels. Applicants who have external Art qualifications and Art portfolio are welcomed to apply. Shortlisted applicants are expected to present their Art portfolio to the recruitment panel during the interview. Applicants who are selected after MOE’s interview are also required to pass NAFA’s drawing test.
- Male candidates must have completed National Service or have already been granted deferment.
Course Structure
Year 1 to 3 of the course will be held at the Nanyang Academy of Fine Arts. Year 4 will be held at the National Institute of Education (NIE).
Course Details
Music (Year 1 to 3)
- Principal Study
- Performance Skills
- Percussion Ensemble
- Instrumental Teaching
- Harmony
- Aural and Sight-Singing
- Form and Analysis
- Composition
- Music and Movement
- Music Technology
- Music History
Art (Year 1 to 3)
- Drawing Skills
- Ceramics
- Printmaking Art
- Digital Photography
- Desktop Publishing
- Painting
- Sculpture
- Web Design
- Anatomy
- Art History
In addition, Art and Music students will study pedagogy courses in their 4th year at NIE to prepare them to teach in Secondary Schools.
Please note that the course details serve mainly as a guide and is subjected to changes.
Teaching Level and Subjects
Successful candidates will be deployed to teach Art or Music in secondary schools upon completion of their training in NIE.
Co-curricular Activities (CCA)
All teachers have to undertake CCA as assigned by the school principal.
Teaching Bond
Tuition fees for all trainee teachers are fully paid by the Ministry of Education. The total training period under this scheme is 4 years. While undergoing training at NAFA during the first 3 years, candidates will receive a monthly bursary of $800. During the 4th year at NIE, trainee teachers will receive a monthly salary (inclusive of CPF and year-end bonus). Upon the completion of their NIE training, they will serve a 5-year teaching bond, teaching Art or Music in our secondary schools. A trainee teacher who fails to graduate from NIE or whose service is terminated before fully discharging the teaching bond will have to pay liquidated damages to the Ministry.
Visit the Salary Scale for ‘O’-Level Programmes webpage for more information.
Home Economics Teacher Training Scheme (TP)
The Home Economics Teacher Training Scheme is designed for GCE ‘O’ Level holders who wish to become Home Economics teachers in our secondary schools.
This is a 4-year diploma course and students will study for the first 3 years at Temasek Polytechnic (TP) and the final year at the National Institute of Education (NIE).
Students will graduate with a Diploma in Consumer Science and Technology from TP and a Diploma in Home Economics Education from NIE.
Admission Criteria
- At least 5 GCE ‘O’ Level passes including English as a First Languge, Mathematics, 1 Science subject and 2 other subjects
- Students offering Food and Nutrition and / or Human and Social Biology, but who do not meet the Science requirement, may also apply
- Male candidates must have completed NS or have already been granted deferment
Course Structure
Year 1 to 3 of the course will be held at Temasek Polytechnic. Year 4 will be held at the National Institute of Education (NIE).
Course Details
During the 4-year programme, candidates will take courses like Chemistry, Textiles, Maths and Statistics, Food Chemistry and Consumer Education. In addition, candidates will also study pedagogy courses to prepare them to teach in Secondary schools.
Teaching Level
Successful candidates will be deployed to teach Home Economics at the Secondary level upon the completion of their training in NIE.
Co-curricular Activities (CCA)
All teachers have to undertake CCA as assigned by the school principal.
Teaching Bond
Tuition fees for all trainee teachers are fully paid by the Ministry of Education. The total training period under this scheme is 4 years. While undergoing training at Temasek Polytechnic during the first 3 years, candidates will receive a monthly bursary of $800. During the 4th year at NIE, trainee teachers will receive a monthly salary (inclusive of CPF and year-end bonus). Upon the completion of their NIE training, they will serve a 5-year teaching bond, teaching Home Economics in our secondary schools. A trainee teacher who fails to graduate from NIE or whose service is terminated before fully discharging the teaching bond will have to pay liquidated damages to the Ministry.
Visit the Salary Scale for ‘O’-Level Programmes webpage for more information.
Mother Tongue Language Teacher Training Scheme (NIE)
The Mother Tongue Language Teacher Training Scheme is designed for GCE ‘O’ Level holders who wish to become Mother Tongue Language Teachers in our primary schools.
This is a 4-year diploma course and students will graduate with a Diploma in Mother Tongue Language Education from the National Institute of Education (NIE).
Admission Criteria
- Good grades in Mother Tongue Language
- At least 5 GCE ‘O’ Level passes
- Not more than 20 points in total aggregate score for English as a First Language and 4 best subjects at the GCE ‘O’ Levels
- Male candidates must have completed NS or have already been granted deferment from NS.
Course Structure
GCE ‘O’ Level holders can read a two-year preparatory course in the teaching of Mother Tongue Languages prior to entry to the Diploma in Education Programme, thereby making the total duration of the programme to be four years.
Course Details
Special Training Programme (Mother Tongue) - 2 Years
Students undergo intensive training in Chinese / Malay / Tamil Language, Literature and History. Alongside with these, they are also groomed to be effectively bilingual with comprehensive training in English Language and Literature. At the end of this course, students’ proficiency in the Mother Tongue language should be brought to a standard equivalent to Higher Mother Tongue at ‘A’ Level standard.
Diploma in Education - 2 Years
The Diploma in Education (Dip Ed) programme is a two-year full-time programme meant for GCE ’A’ Level holders, Polytechnic Diploma holders and GCE ‘O’ Level holders. In the case of the latter, GCE ‘O’ Level holders would have to complete a two-year preparatory course in the teaching of mother tongue languages prior to entry to the Diploma in Education Programme.
Practicum
The Practicum (or teaching practice) enables student teachers to acquire beginning teaching competencies and is a core component of every initial teacher preparation programme. (During Practicum, student teachers are guided and assisted by their cooperating teachers and NIE supervisors through systematic observations, assistance and advice. They will have opportunities to become involved with and actively participate in all aspects of the school’s activities. Through these experiences, they will learn to link theory and practice, and to acquire the understanding and skills necessary for teaching effectively in a range of classroom situations.)
Teaching Level
Successful candidates will be deployed to teach Mother Tongue Language at Primary School level upon the completion of their training in NIE.
Co-curricular Activities (CCA)
All teachers have to undertake CCA as assigned by the school principal.
Teaching Bond
Tuition fees for all trainee teachers are fully paid by the Ministry of Education. The total training period under this scheme is 4 years. While undergoing training in NIE during the first 2 years, candidates will receive a monthly bursary of $800. During the 3rd and 4th years, trainee teachers will receive a monthly salary (inclusive of CPF and year-end bonus). Upon the completion of their NIE training, they will serve a 5-year teaching bond, teaching Mother Tongue Language in our Primary schools. A trainee teacher who fails to graduate from NIE or whose service is terminated before fully discharging the teaching bond will have to pay liquidated damages to the Ministry.
Visit the Salary Scale for ‘O’-Level Programmes webpage for more information.
Chinese Language Teacher Specialisation Scheme (NP)
The Chinese Language (CL) Teacher Specialization Scheme is designed for GCE ‘O’ Level holders who wish to become CL teachers in our primary schools.
This is a 4-year diploma course and students will study for the first 3 years at Ngee Ann Polytechnic (NP) and the final year at the National Institute of Education (NIE).
Students will graduate with a Diploma in Chinese Studies (Teaching) from NP and a Diploma in Education (Chinese Language Specialization) from NIE.
(More information on the Chinese Language Specialisation Course)
Admission Criteria
- At least C6 for ‘O’ Level English Language as a First Language;
- At least B4 for Higher Chinese Language or A2 for Chinese Language at ‘O’ level
- At least passes in 3 other subjects (excluding CCA):
- Male candidates must have completed National Service (NS) or have already been granted deferment from NS.
Course Structure
Year 1 to 3 of the course will be held at Ngee Ann Polytechnic. Year 4 will be held at the National Institute of Education (NIE).
Course Details
The core modules for the first 2 years aim to provide them with a strong foundation in Chinese language, culture, history and literature. During the first semester of the final year, they will participate in an immersion programme in Zhejiang University City College (ZUCC),China. During the last semester of the third year, teaching candidates will attend lessons at NIE and undergo a teaching practicum co-ordinated by NIE.
Teaching Level
Successful candidates will be deployed to teach Chinese Language at Primary School level upon the completion of their training in NIE.
Co-curricular Activities (CCA)
All teachers have to undertake CCA as assigned by the school principal.
Teaching Bond
Tuition fees for all trainee teachers are fully paid by the Ministry of Education. The total training period under this scheme is 4 years. While undergoing training at Ngee Ann Polytechnic during the first 3 years, candidates will receive a monthly bursary of $800. During the 4th year at NIE, trainee teachers will receive a monthly salary (inclusive of CPF and year-end bonus). Upon the completion of their NIE training, they will serve a 5-year teaching bond, teaching Chinese Language in our secondary schools. A trainee teacher who fails to graduate from NIE or whose service is terminated before fully discharging the teaching bond will have to pay liquidated damages to the Ministry.
Visit the Salary Scale for ‘O’ Level Programmes webpage for more information.