Culture of trust and support key to teachers’ well-being

信任与支持文化是教师福祉的关键

谨答复《联合早报·言论》于2025年12月24日刊登的刘文注作者评论《新加坡教育生态挑战严峻》和《联合早报·交流站》于2026年1月6日刊登的杨永强读者投函《重拾尊师重道教育之本》。

我们感谢刘先生和杨先生所提出的观点。我们同意他们对教师所扮演的重要角色的看法，并感谢历代教师所作出的贡献。我们向他们保证，教育部认识到教师所面对的重担，并致力于为他们提供支持。

正如他们所强调的，我们给予教师最重要的支持就是尊重。让我们感到欣慰的是，新加坡人认可教师在孩子成长中所扮演的关键角色。根据2024年经济合作与发展组织（OECD）的教与学国际调查（Teaching and Learning International Survey），我们的教师认为教师职业受到社会的尊重。教育部、学校、家长和社区必须持续加强这种信任和支持教师专业工作和福祉的文化，使教师能够在全面培养孩子方面尽最大努力。

多年来，教育部已落实多项措施来帮助教师。这包括简化行政流程、制定工作量管理措施，以及实施更明确的家校合作指导原则，以促进家长与教师之间相互尊重的沟通。

教育工作者也有专业职业发展机会，以促进他们的职业生涯成长。校长和资深主要人员（key personnel）能通过定期轮换制度，与其他学校分享自己的专业知识，并继续磨炼专业教育工作者的技能。学校可调整资深主要人员的轮换周期，以维持领导团队的稳定。

学校领导有权决定最能服务其社区需求的课程实施、教学法及学校文化。教师亦享有专业自主权，以辅助学生的学习与发展。

刘先生可以放心，我们的教育政策是建立在研究、咨询教育工作者和分析最佳做法的基础上的。这些政策经过仔细考量并循序渐进，同时为学校领导层和教育工作者提供支援，包括专业学习课程、资源供应，以及面向教育工作者、家长和学生的沟通方案。

随着新加坡教育体系的不断发展以满足未来需求，我们始终致力于培养和支持教师，让他们能体验教学的乐趣，并继续从事培育新加坡下一代的有意义工作。

教育部副教育总司长（专业发展）
张彩红

Culture of Trust and Support Key to Teachers' Well-Being

We thank Mr Low Boon Chu and Mr Yang Yong Qiang for their views ("Singapore's education ecosystem faces severe challenges", 24/12 and "Reclaiming the essence of education: respect for teachers and the importance of moral guidance", 6/1). We agree with both writers on the important role of teachers and appreciate the contributions of generations of teachers. We would like to reassure them that the Ministry of Education (MOE) recognises the demands placed on our teachers and is committed to supporting them.

As highlighted by both writers, the most important support we give our teachers is respect. We are heartened that Singaporeans recognise the vital role teachers play in our children's development. According to the OECD's Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) 2024, our teachers feel that the teaching profession is valued by society. MOE, schools, parents and the community must continue to strengthen this culture of trust and support for our teachers' professional work and their well-being, which will enable them to do their best in developing our children holistically.

Over the years, MOE has implemented several initiatives to support our teachers. These include streamlining administrative processes, workload management measures, and implementing clearer guidelines on school-home partnership to foster respectful communication between parents and teachers.

There are also professional career development opportunities for educators to grow in their careers. Structured rotations for principals and senior Key Personnel allow them to share their expertise in other schools, and continue to hone their craft as professional educators. Schools can pace out the rotations for senior Key Personnel to maintain the stability of the leadership team.

Our school leaders are empowered to decide on curriculum delivery, pedagogical approaches, and school culture that best serve the needs of their communities. Teachers are also given the professional autonomy to support their students' learning and development.

Mr Low can be assured that our education policies are grounded in research, consultation with educators, and analysis of best practices. They are carefully considered and paced, with support in place for school leaders and educators, including professional learning programmes, resource provision, and communication packages for educators, parents and students.

As Singapore's education system evolves to meet future needs, we remain committed to growing and supporting our teachers so that they experience the joy of teaching, and continue their meaningful work in nurturing future generations of Singaporeans.

Ms Beatrice Chong
Deputy Director-General of Education (Professional Development)
Ministry of Education