Data on Processing Time for PDGE Applications and Withdrawal Rates Due to Prolonged Application Timelines in Last Three Years

Name and Constituency of Member of Parliament

Mr Kenneth Tiong Boon Kiat, Aljunied GRC

Question

To ask the Minister for Education for each of the last three years, (a) the median and 90th-percentile processing time for Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) applications from submission to final offer; (b) the share of candidates who passed the interview but withdrew before receiving an offer; and (c) whether the prolonged timelines had compelled qualified candidates to seek alternative employment.

Response

1. MOE runs a rigorous recruitment process to ensure that only suitable applicants with the desired values, qualities and competencies are selected to be educators.
2. Shortlisted PGDE applicants typically receive an interview invitation within 3-4 weeks of each application window closing. Those selected after the interview are then put through the proficiency tests (if applicable) and medical checks. Among the PGDE applicants who applied early this year and were selected after the interview, half of them received an offer within 2 to 5 months from the date of interview. About 7% of applicants who cleared the interview withdrew their applications before they received an offer.
3. We acknowledge that the longer wait time after the interview may be a concern for applicants, and we remain in touch with them throughout the process.
4. MOE is committed to maintaining a high-quality workforce of teachers. We will continue to streamline and improve our processes to increase our recruitment efficiency, so as to attract as many good candidates as possible.