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Reference No : Edun N25-02-004

Press Release No : 03496

Date : 18 Nov 1996

APPOINTMENT OF DIRECTOR OF EDUCATION

1. Mr John Yip, Director of Education (DOE) of the Ministry of Education, will retire in December 1996 at the age of 60 years. Mr Wee Heng Tin, currently Director of Schools (DOS), will be appointed as the Director of Education from 23 December 1996. Mr Wee will concurrently serve as DOS.
2. Mr Yip has had an illustrious career in the Education Service over a span of more than three decades. He joined the Education Service in 1960 as a teacher, rising quickly to be a principal in 1969. Mr Yip was posted to the Ministry headquarters in 1973 as Assistant Director of Education. He has served in several senior portfolios before assuming the post of DOS in 1979. He was appointed DOE in 1987.
3. Mr Yip has contributed much in the field of education. He was responsible for a number of initiatives such as the gradual devolution of authority in the management of schools to principals, the training of vice-principals and principals, and the school appraisal system. When he assumed the position of DOE under the then Minister for Education, Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, he led the profession in the implementation of fundamental changes to the education system to make it more responsive to the needs of pupils of different abilities.
4. As Chairman of the Ministry's Curriculum Development Committee, Mr Yip has played a leading role in the curriculum improvements that have taken place over the last 10 years.
5. Mr Yip has served on a number of statutory boards and represented Singapore in several regional and international meetings. In 1990, he co-edited the book Evolution of Educational Excellence which traced the Government's efforts in building up a good education system. Mr Yip was awarded the Meritorious Service Award in 1991, Public Administration Medal (Gold) in 1981 and Public Administration Medal (Silver) in 1973.
6. Mr Wee Heng Tin, aged 56 years, joined the Education Service in 1964. He was awarded a Fulbright-Hays scholarship in 1967 before becoming a principal in 1971. He subsequently took on senior administrative posts in the Ministry headquarters and headed two junior colleges before eventually assuming the post of DOS in 1987.
7. Mr Wee has served on several public service and education committees. He received the Public Service Administration Medal (Silver) in 1988 and the Public Administration Medal (Bronze) in 1979.