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Press Releases

February 10, 2009

Information Sheet on Allied Educators

To strengthen the professionalism of the school team, MOE introduced a new Allied Educators Scheme (AES) from 1 Jan 2009 to attract, motivate and retain good quality people as Allied Educators (AEDs). Three groups of officers comprise the AED family: AED (Counselling), AED (Learning and Behavioural Support) and AED (Teaching and Learning)1. They work closely with teachers to enhance the holistic development of students. Currently, there are 600 allied educators in our schools2.

Under the new scheme, the salaries of the AEDs will be benchmarked to the market to ensure competitiveness. The AEDs will enjoy the school holiday scheme similar to teachers. AEDs will also benefit from better career development and advancement opportunities. Outstanding AEDs can aspire to progress up to positions of superscale grade in the Ministry’s Headquarters.

Allied Educator (Counselling)

The AED (Counselling) provides guidance and counselling services for students. The entry requirements for AED (Counselling) are:

  • A degree in any discipline
  • Good interpersonal skills and communication skills
  • School and counselling experience or possession of a post-graduate Diploma/Masters in counselling would be an advantage

Successful candidates without the required professional counselling qualifications will be fully sponsored by MOE to attend a 6-month full-time Diploma in School Counselling conducted by the National Institute of Education. The Diploma comprises two main components: course work and field work (practicum). Candidates undergoing training will continue to receive their monthly salary. Upon successful completion of the training, they will have to serve a two-year Minimum Service Period with the Ministry.

AEDs (Counselling) who demonstrate good performance and potential can look forward to taking on higher level appointments such as Senior and Lead AED (Counselling). Outstanding AEDs (Counselling) can progress up to positions of superscale grade in the Ministry’s Headquarters as Assistant Directors and Deputy Directors.

Allied Educator (Learning and Behavioural Support)

The Allied Educator (Learning and Behavioural Support) provides learning support to teachers by helping them manage students with mild to moderate learning difficulties like autism and dyslexia. The entry requirements for AED (LBS) are:

  • Full GCE ‘A’ Level Certificate with a pass in GP and 5 GCE ‘O’ level passes including English and Mathematics; or
  • Diploma from any of the five local polytechnics and 5 GCE ‘O’ level passes including English and Mathematics
  • Good interpersonal skills with the passion to work with children with special needs.

Successful candidates without the required professional qualification will be fully sponsored by MOE to attend a one-year full-time Diploma in Special Education (DISE) Programme conducted by the National Institute of Education (NIE). The Diploma comprises two main components: course work and field work (practicum). Candidates undergoing training will continue to receive their monthly salary. Upon successful completion of the training, they will serve a two-year bond with the Ministry.

AEDs (LBS) who demonstrate good performance and potential can look forward to taking on higher level appointments such as Senior and Head AED (LBS). Outstanding AEDs (LBS) can progress up to positions of superscale grade in the Ministry’s Headquarters as Assistant Directors and Deputy Directors.

Allied Educator (Teaching and Learning)

The Allied Educators (Teaching and Learning) co-teach academic and non-academic subjects with trained teachers in school to help students with different learning needs learn better. They also work with teachers to support in pastoral care and CCAs as part of the holistic development of students.

The entry requirements for AED (TL) are:

  • At least a post-secondary qualification or equivalent, preferably a diploma from any of the five local polytechnics or GCE ‘A’ level, with a pass in GCE ‘O’ level English and Maths
  • Specialised knowledge or skills relevant to the learning of students
  • Aptitude and passion in developing and nurturing youths
  • Good interpersonal skills and team player

Successful candidates will be fully sponsored to attend a 10-week training programme at NIE, which covers topics ranging from educational psychology, classroom management and teaching strategies to managing students with behavioural and learning problems. Candidates undergoing training will receive a full monthly salary and are required to serve a one-year Minimum Service Period upon the successful completion of their training.

AEDs (TL) who demonstrate good performance and potential can look forward to taking on higher level appointments as Senior Allied Educator (Teaching and Learning). AEDs (TL) who are keen and have demonstrated their suitability to become teachers can also be recommended by the schools to join the Education Service after they have served a minimum of two years.

Footnote

  1. AED (Counselling) was formerly known as Full Time School Counsellor, AED (Learning and Behavioural Support) was formerly known as Special Needs Officer and AED (Teaching and Learning) was formerly known as Education Associate. ↵
  2. There are 600 AEDs currently. Of these, 345 are AEDs(Counselling), 165 are AEDs(LBS) and 90 are AEDs(TL). ↵