Forum Letter Replies
MOE values the contributions and experience of former teachers
Mdm Lian Ye Zhu (“Why is there no reinstatement of teaching position upon return from further studies?”, 5 Apr) asked why her daughter, a former teacher, was not given the opportunity to rejoin the teaching profession.
MOE values the contributions and experience of former teachers and encourages those who continue to have the passion for education, to rejoin the teaching fraternity. All candidates who apply for teaching positions are evaluated based on a set of criteria, including the candidate’s qualifications, experience, personal qualities and past service track record.
In Mdm Lian’s daughter’s case, we had considered her for a position as a foreign language teacher due to her specialised training and prior experience. While we welcome applications by former teachers, they are also subject to the same criteria explained above, and not every applicant can be successful in being re-appointed into the service.
We thank Mdm Lian for her letter and invite Mdm Lian and her daughter to contact our recruitment unit if further clarification is required.
Director, Personnel
“Why is there no reinstatement of teaching position upon return from further studies” (Lian Ye Zhu, ZB Forum, 5/4 p22)
Recently, I noted MOE’s tremendous efforts in recruiting teachers. Hence, I immediately encouraged my daughter who was studying overseas to return home to serve the nation. My daughter subsequently applied for a teaching position in a primary school but was told by MOE that her academic qualifications were rather high for the position. Arrangements were made for her to go for an interview at the MOELC Bishan (My daughter had previously taught at MOELC Bishan before she quit to further her studies overseas).
My daughter turned down an offer by an international school and bought an air ticket to return to Singapore for the interview as MOE had only given her a timeline of three days for the interview.
However, my daughter subsequently received a letter from MOE, informing her that “there was no suitable position” for her. Given her teaching experience and the current shortage of teachers, can’t MOE arrange for my daughter to teach at a secondary school? If my daughter cannot put her knowledge of a foreign language into use after returning from further studies, is it not a pity?